Exodus 34:23
Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁלֹ֥שׁ
H7969
פְּעָמִ֖ים
Thrice
H6471
פְּעָמִ֖ים
Thrice
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
2 of 12
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
יֵֽרָאֶה֙
appear
H7200
יֵֽרָאֶה֙
appear
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 12
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּנֵ֛י
before
H6440
פְּנֵ֛י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
GOD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
GOD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 23:14Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.Exodus 23:17Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.Deuteronomy 16:16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:Genesis 32:28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Historical Context
The three pilgrimage festivals were Passover/Unleavened Bread (spring), Pentecost/Weeks (early summer), and Tabernacles/Ingathering (fall). During temple periods, Jerusalem swelled with pilgrims; during wilderness/tabernacle era, Israel gathered at the central sanctuary.
Questions for Reflection
- How does regular, scheduled corporate worship shape spiritual life?
- What 'pilgrimages' or spiritual disciplines help you maintain covenant relationship with God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Three times annually, every male must 'appear before the Lord GOD' (הָאָדֹן יְהוָה, ha-adon YHWH). This command established corporate worship rhythm and covenant renewal. The threefold pattern structures the year around God's redemption (Passover/Unleavened Bread), provision (Weeks), and protection (Tabernacles). Appearing 'before the LORD' meant coming to the sanctuary, the designated meeting place between God and His people.