Numbers 29:12
And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:
Original Language Analysis
עָשָׂ֨ר
H6240
עָשָׂ֨ר
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
2 of 19
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
יָמִֽים׃
day
H3117
יָמִֽים׃
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
3 of 19
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
מִֽקְרָא
convocation
H4744
מִֽקְרָא
convocation
Strong's:
H4744
Word #:
6 of 19
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙
ye shall have an holy
H6944
קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙
ye shall have an holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
7 of 19
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
work
H4399
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ
ye shall do
H6213
תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ
ye shall do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם
and ye shall keep
H2287
וְחַגֹּתֶ֥ם
and ye shall keep
Strong's:
H2287
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Celebrated after harvest (Tishri 15-21), this joyful feast concluded the agricultural year, thanking God for provision. Pilgrims built temporary shelters and lived in them, re-enacting wilderness dependence. The feast's other name, 'Feast of Ingathering,' points to the eschatological ingathering of God's people from all nations (Zech 14:16-19 prophesies all nations keeping this feast in the Messianic kingdom).
Questions for Reflection
- How does remembering your spiritual 'wilderness journey' help maintain humble dependence on God's provision?
- In what ways are you living as a pilgrim, remembering this world is not your permanent home?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) lasted seven days, celebrating God's provision during wilderness wanderings. Israel lived in temporary booths (sukkot), remembering their pilgrim status and God's faithful care. The extensive offerings (13 bulls on day one, decreasing daily to 7) totaled 70 bulls over seven days - Jewish tradition connects this to the 70 nations of Genesis 10, suggesting Israel's priestly role among nations. This feast foreshadows the eternal tabernacling of God with redeemed humanity (Rev 21:3). John 7 records Jesus attending this feast, declaring Himself the water and light - fulfilling the feast's water-drawing and lamp-lighting ceremonies.