Exodus Chapter 34 · Verse 23

Authorized King James Version

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Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.

Original Language Analysis

שָׁלֹ֥שׁ H7969
שָׁלֹ֥שׁ
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 1 of 12
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
פְּעָמִ֖ים Thrice H6471
פְּעָמִ֖ים Thrice
Strong's: H6471
Word #: 2 of 12
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה in the year H8141
בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה in the year
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 3 of 12
a year (as a revolution of time)
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)
זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔ shall all your men children H2138
זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔ shall all your men children
Strong's: H2138
Word #: 6 of 12
a male (of man or animals)
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
הָֽאָדֹ֥ן׀ the Lord H113
הָֽאָדֹ֥ן׀ the Lord
Strong's: H113
Word #: 9 of 12
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
יְהוָ֖ה GOD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה GOD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֥י the God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 11 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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.

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