Leviticus 23:40

Authorized King James Version

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And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Original Language Analysis

וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם And ye shall take H3947
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם And ye shall take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 20
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
לָכֶ֜ם H0
לָכֶ֜ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 20
יָמִֽים׃ day H3117
יָמִֽים׃ day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 3 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן you on the first H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן you on the first
Strong's: H7223
Word #: 4 of 20
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
פְּרִ֨י the boughs H6529
פְּרִ֨י the boughs
Strong's: H6529
Word #: 5 of 20
fruit (literally or figuratively)
עֵץ trees H6086
עֵץ trees
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 6 of 20
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
הָדָר֙ of goodly H1926
הָדָר֙ of goodly
Strong's: H1926
Word #: 7 of 20
magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor
כַּפֹּ֣ת branches H3709
כַּפֹּ֣ת branches
Strong's: H3709
Word #: 8 of 20
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
תְּמָרִ֔ים of palm H8558
תְּמָרִ֔ים of palm
Strong's: H8558
Word #: 9 of 20
a palm tree
וַֽעֲנַ֥ף trees and the boughs H6057
וַֽעֲנַ֥ף trees and the boughs
Strong's: H6057
Word #: 10 of 20
a twig (as covering the limbs)
עֵץ trees H6086
עֵץ trees
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 11 of 20
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
עָבֹ֖ת of thick H5687
עָבֹ֖ת of thick
Strong's: H5687
Word #: 12 of 20
intwined, i.e., dense
וְעַרְבֵי and willows H6155
וְעַרְבֵי and willows
Strong's: H6155
Word #: 13 of 20
a willow (from the use of osiers as wattles)
נָ֑חַל of the brook H5158
נָ֑חַל of the brook
Strong's: H5158
Word #: 14 of 20
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם and ye shall rejoice H8055
וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם and ye shall rejoice
Strong's: H8055
Word #: 15 of 20
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
לִפְנֵ֛י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֛י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 16 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 17 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם your God H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם your God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 18 of 20
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
שִׁבְעַ֥ת seven H7651
שִׁבְעַ֥ת seven
Strong's: H7651
Word #: 19 of 20
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִֽים׃ day H3117
יָמִֽים׃ day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 20 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis & Commentary

And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

This verse falls within the section on Appointed Feasts. God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings.


The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

Historical Context

God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Questions for Reflection

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