Reference: Feasts
American
God appointed several festivals, or days of rest and worship, among the Jews, to perpetuate the memory of great events wrought in favor of them: the Sabbath commemorated the creation of the world; the Passover, the departure out of Egypt; the Pentecost, the law given at Sinai, etc. At the three great feasts of the year, the Passover, Pentecost, and that of Tabernacles, all the males of the nation were required to visit the temple, Ex 23:14-17; De 16:16-17; and to protect their borders from invasion during their absence, the shield of a special providence was always interposed, Ex 34:23-24. The other festivals were the Feast of Trumpets, or New Moon, Purim, Dedication, the Sabbath year, and the year of Jubilee. These are described elsewhere. The observance of these sacred festivals was adapted not merely to freshen the remembrance of their early history as a nation, but to keep alive the influence of religion and the expectation of the Messiah, to deepen their joy in God, to dispel animosities and jealousies, and to form new associations between the different tribes and families. See also Day of EXPIATION.
In the Christian church, we have no festival that clearly appears to have been instituted by our Savior, or his apostles; but as we commemorate his death as often as we celebrate his supper, he has hereby seemed to institute a perpetual feast. Christians have always celebrated the memory of his resurrection by regarding the Sabbath, which we see, from Re 1:10, was in John's time commonly called "the Lord's day." Feasts of love, Jude 1:12, were public banquets of a frugal kind, instituted by the primitive Christians, and connected by them with the celebration of the Lord's supper. The provisions were contributed by the more wealthy, and were common to all Christians, whether rich or poor, who chose to partake. Portions were also sent to the sick and absent members. These love-feasts were intended as an exhibition of mutual Christian affection; but they became subject to abuses, and were afterwards generally discontinued, 1Co 11:17-34.
The Hebrews were a hospitable people, and were wont to welcome their guests with a feast, and dismiss them with another, Ge 19:3; 31:27; Jg 6:19; 2Sa 3:20; 2Ki 6:23. The returning prodigal was thus welcomed, Lu 15:23. Many joyful domestic events were observed with feasting: birthdays, etc., Ge 21:8; 40:20; Job 1:4; Mt 14:6; marriages, Ge 29:22; Jg 14:10; Joh 2:1-10; sheep shearing and harvesting, Jg 9:27; 1Sa 25:2,36; 2Sa 13:23. A feast was also provided at funerals, 2Sa 3:35; Jer 16:7. Those who brought sacrifices and offerings to the temple were wont to feast upon them there, with joy and praise to God, De 12:6-7; 1Sa 16:5; 2Sa 6:19. They were taught to invite all the needy to partake with them, De 16:11; and even to make special feasts for the poor, De 12:17-19; 14:28; 26:12-15; a custom which the Savior specially commended, Lu 14:12-14.
The manner of holding a feast was anciently marked with great simplicity. But at the time of Christ many Roman customs had been introduced. The feast or "supper" usually took place at five or six in the afternoon, and often continued to a late hour. The guests were invited some time in advance; and those who accepted the invitation were again notified by servants when the hour arrived, Mt 22:4-8; Lu 14:16-24. The door was guarded against uninvited persons; and was at length closed for the day by the hand of the master of the house, Mt 25:10; Lu 13:24. Sometimes very large numbers were present, Es 1:3,5; Lu 14:16-24; and on such occasions a "governor of the feast" was appointed, whose social qualities, tact, firmness, and temperance fitted him to preside, Joh 2:8. The guests were arranged with a careful regard to their claims to honor, Ge 43:33; 1Sa 9:22; Pr 25:6-7; Mt 23:6; Lu 14:7; in which matter the laws of etiquette are still jealously enforced in the East. Sometimes the host provided light, rich, loose robes for the company; and if so, the refusing to wear one was a gross insult, Ec 9:8; Mt 22:11; Re 3:4-5. The guests reclined around the tables; water and perfumes were served to them, Mr 7:2; Lu 7:44-46; and after eating, the hands were again washed, a servant pouring water over them. During the repast and after it various entertainments were provided; enigmas were proposed, Jg 14:12; eastern tales were told; music and hired dancers, and often excessive drinking, etc., occupied the time, Isa 5:12; 24:7-9; Am 6:5. See EATING, FOOD.
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And he compelled them exceedingly. And they turned in unto him and entered into his house, and he made them a feast and did bake sweet cakes, and they ate.
The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast, the same day that Isaac was weaned.
Then Laban bade all the men of that place, and made a feast.
Wherefore wentest thou away secretly, unknown to me, and didst not tell me, that I might have brought thee on the way with mirth, singing, timbrels and harps,
And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants. And he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
And they sat before him; the eldest according unto his age, and the youngest according unto his youth. And the men marveled among themselves.
"Three feasts thou shalt hold unto me in a year. Thou shalt keep the feast of sweet bread, that thou eat unleavened bread seven days long as I commanded thee in the time appointed of the month of Abib, for in that month thou camest out of Egypt: and see that no man appear before me empty. read more. And the feast of Harvest, when thou reapest the first fruits of thy labors which thou hast sown in the field. And the feast of ingathering, in the end of the year: when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field. "Three times in a year shall all thy men children appear before the Lord Jehovah.
Thrice in a year shall all your men children appear before the Lord Jehovah, God of Israel: for I will cast out the nations before thee and will enlarge thy coasts, so that no man shall desire thy land, while thou goest up to appear before the face of the LORD thy God, thrice in the year.
And thither thou shalt come, and thither ye shall bring your burnt sacrifices and your offerings, your tithes and heave offerings of your hands, your vows and free will offerings and thy first born of your oxen and of your sheep. And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye lay your hands on, both ye and your households, because the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine and of thy oil, either the firstborn of thine oxen or of thy sheep, neither any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings or heave offerings of thine hands: but thou must eat them before the LORD thy God, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen: both thou, thy son and thy daughter, thy servant and thy maid and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, in all that thou puttest thine hand to. read more. And beware that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
At the end of three years, thou shalt bring forth all the tithes of thine increase the same year and lay it up within thine own city,
And rejoice before the LORD thy God: both thou, thy son, thy daughter, thy servant and thy maid, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, the fatherless and the widow that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to make his name dwell there.
Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose: In the feast of sweet bread, in the feast of weeks and in the feast of the tabernacles. And they shall not appear before the LORD empty: but every man with the gift of his hand, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God, which he hath given thee.
When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, the year of tithing - and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow, and they have eaten in thy gates and filled themselves - then say before the LORD thy God, 'I have brought thee hallowed things out of mine house: and have given them unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow according to all the commandments which thou commandest me: I have not overskipped thy commandments, nor forgotten them. read more. I have not eaten thereof in my mourning nor taken away thereof unto any uncleanness, nor spent thereof about any dead corpse: but have hearkened unto the voice of the LORD my God, and have done after all that he commanded me. Look down from thy holy habitation heaven and bless thy people Israel and the land which thou hast given us - as thou swearest unto our fathers - a land that floweth with milk and honey.'
And Gideon went and made ready a kid, and sweet cakes of an Ephah of flour, and put the flesh in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak and presented it.
And they went out into the fields and gathered in their grapes and trod them and made merry: and went into the house of their God, and did eat and drink and cursed Abimelech.
And when his father was come unto the woman, Samson made there a feast, for so used the young men to do.
And Samson said unto them, "I will put forth a riddle unto you. And if you can declare it within seven days of the feast and find it out, I will give you thirty shirts and thirty changes of garments:
And when all the people came to eat meat with David, while it was yet day, David sware, saying, "So do God to me and so thereto, if I taste bread or ought else till the sun be down."
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and servants. And the mighty men of Persia and Media, the captains also, and rulers of his countries, were before him;
And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were in the castle of Susa, both unto great and small, seven days long in the court of the garden by the king's palace:
And his sons went and made banquets - one day in one house, another day in another - and sent for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and prease not into the place of great men. Better it is that it be said unto thee, "Come up hither," than thou to be set down in the presence of the prince whom thou seest with thine eyes.
Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head want none ointment.
In those companies are harps and lutes, tabrets and pipes, and wine. But they regard not the work of the LORD, and consider not the operation of his hands.
The sweet wine shall mourn, the grapes shall be weak, and all that have been merry in heart, shall sigh. The mirth of tabrets shall be laid down, the cheer of the joyful shall cease, and the pleasure of lutes shall have an end: read more. there shall no more wine be drunk with mirth, the beer shall be bitter to them that drink it;
There shall not one visit another, to mourn with them for their dead, or to comfort them. One shall not offer another the cup of consolation, to forget their heaviness for father and mother.
ye that sing to the lute, and in playing of instruments compare yourselves unto David;
But when Herod's birthday was come, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.' But they made light of it, and went their ways: one to his firm place, another about his merchandise: read more. the remnant took his servants, and intreated them ungoodly, and slew them. When the King heard that, he was wroth, and sent forth his warriors and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city. Then said he to his servants, 'The wedding was prepared: but they which were bidden thereto, were not worthy.
Then the King came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a wedding garment,
and love to sit uppermost at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the synagogues,
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut up.
And when they saw certain of his disciples eat bread with common hands, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they complained.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, "Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, and thou gavest me no water to my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. read more. Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.
"Strive with yourselves to enter in at the strait gate: For many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
He put forth a similitude to the guests, when he marked how they pressed to the highest rooms, and said unto them,
Then said he also to him that had desired him to dinner, "When thou makest a dinner, or a supper: call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor yet rich neighbours: lest they bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind, read more. and thou shalt be happy: For they cannot recompense thee. But thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just men."
Then said he to him, "A certain man ordained a great supper, and bade many;
Then said he to him, "A certain man ordained a great supper, and bade many; and sent his servant at supper time, to say to them that were bidden, come: for all things are now ready.
and sent his servant at supper time, to say to them that were bidden, come: for all things are now ready. And they all at once began to make excuse. The first said unto him, 'I have bought a farm, and I must needs go and see it, I pray thee have me excused.'
And they all at once began to make excuse. The first said unto him, 'I have bought a farm, and I must needs go and see it, I pray thee have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to prove them, I pray thee have me excused.'
And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to prove them, I pray thee have me excused.' The third said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'
The third said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' And the servant went again, and brought his master word thereof. Then was the good man of the house displeased, and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and quarters of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.'
And the servant went again, and brought his master word thereof. Then was the good man of the house displeased, and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and quarters of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.' And the servant said, 'Lord it is done as thou commandedst, and yet there is room.'
And the servant said, 'Lord it is done as thou commandedst, and yet there is room.' And the Lord said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
And the Lord said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden, shall taste of my supper.'"
For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden, shall taste of my supper.'"
And bring hither that fatted calf, and kill him, and let us eat and be merry:
And the third day, was there a marriage in Cana, a city of Galilee. And Jesus' mother was there. And Jesus was called also, and his disciples, unto the marriage. read more. And when the wine failed, Jesus' mother said unto him, "They have no wine." Jesus said unto her, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." His mother said unto the ministers, "Whatsoever he sayeth unto you, do it." And there were standing there, six waterpots of stone after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. And Jesus said unto them, "Fill the water pots with water." And they filled them up to the hard brim. And he said unto them, "Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast." And they bare it.
And he said unto them, "Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast." And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was turned unto wine, and knew not whence it was - But the ministers which drew the water knew - He called the bridegroom, read more. and said unto him, "All men at the beginning set forth good wine; And when men be drunk, then that which is worse: But thou hast kept back the good wine until now."
This I warn you of, and commend not that ye come together: not after a better manner but after a worse. First of all, when ye come together in the congregation, I hear that there is dissension among you: And I partly believe it. read more. For there must be sects among you, that they which among you are perfect might be known. When ye come together in one place, a man cannot eat the Lord's supper. For every man beginneth afore to eat his own supper. And one is hungry, and another is drunken. Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or else despise ye the congregation of God? And shame them that have not? What shall I say unto you? Shall I praise you? In this praise I you not. That which I delivered unto you I received of the Lord. For the Lord Jesus the same night in the which he was betrayed, took bread, and thanked and brake, and said, "Take ye, and eat ye. This is my body which is broken for you. This do ye in the remembrance of me." After the same manner he took the cup when supper was done saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, this do as oft as ye drink it, in the remembrance of me." For as often as ye shall eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shall show the Lord's death, till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat of this bread, or drink of the cup unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man therefore examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he that eateth or drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh his own damnation, because he maketh no difference of the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. If we had truly judged ourselves, we should not have been judged. But when we are judged of the Lord we are chastened, because we should not be damned with the world. Wherefore my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. If any man hunger, let him eat at home, that ye come not together unto condemnation. Other things will I set in order when I come.
These are spots which of your kindness feast together, without fear, feeding themselves. Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds: and trees without fruit at gathering time, twice dead, and plucked up by the roots.
I was in the spirit on a Sunday, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet,
Thou hast a few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white array, and I will not put out his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my father, and before his angels.
Fausets
Hag (from a root, "to dance") is the Hebrew applied to the Passover, and still more to the feast of tabernacles, as both were celebrated with rejoicings and participation of food (Ex 12:14; Le 23:39; Nu 29:12; De 16:22). But moed is the general term for all sacred assemblies convoked on stated anniversaries; God's people by His appointment meeting before Him in brotherly fellowship for worship. Their communion was primarily with God, then with one another. These national feasts tended to join all in one brotherhood. Hence, arose Jeroboam's measures to counteract the effect on his people (1Ki 12:26-27). Hezekiah made the revival of the national Passover a primary step in his efforts for a reformation (2Ch 30:1). The Roman government felt the feast a time when especial danger of rebellion existed (Mt 26:5; Lu 13:1).
The "congregations," "calling of assemblies," "solemn meetings" (Isa 1:13; Ps 81:3), both on the convocation days of the three great feasts, passover, Pentecost, and tabernacles, and also on the sabbaths, imply assemblies for worship, the forerunners of the synagogue (compare 2Ki 4:23). The septenary number prevails in the great feasts. Pentecost was seven weeks (sevens) after Passover; passover and the feast of tabernacles lasted seven days each; the days of holy convocation were seven in the year, two at Passover, one at pentecost, one at the feast of trumpets, one on the day of atonement (the first day or new moon of the seventh month), and two at the feast of tabernacles. The last two solemn days were in the seventh month, and the cycle of feasts is seven months, from Nisan to Tisri. There was also the sabbatical year, and the year of Jubilee.
The continued observance of the three feasts commemorative of the great facts of Israelite history make it incredible that the belief of those facts could have been introduced at any period subsequent to the supposed time of their occurrence if they never took place. The day, the month, and every incident of Israel's deliverance out of Egypt are embalmed in the anniversary passover. On the three great feasts each Israelite was bound to "appear before the Lord," i.e., attend in the court of the tabernacle or temple and make his offering with gladness (Leviticus 23; De 27:7). Pious women often went up to the Passover: as Lu 2:41, Mary; 1Sa 1:7; 2:19, Hannah. Those men who might happen to be unable to attend at the proper time kept the feast the same day in the succeeding month (Nu 9:10-11). On the days of holy convocation all ordinary work was suspended (Le 23:21-35). The three great feasts had a threefold bearing.
I. They marked the three points of time as to the fruits of the earth.
II. They marked three epochs in Israel's past history.
III. They pointed prophetically to three grand antitypical events of the gospel kingdom.
I. They marked the three points of time as to the fruits of the earth.
(I.) At the Passover in spring, in the month Abib, the first green ears of barley were cut, and were a favorite food, prepared as parched grain, but first of all a handful of green ears was presented to the Lord.
(2) Fifty days (as Pentecost means) after Passover came the feast of weeks, i.e. a week of weeks after Passover. The now ripe wheat, before being cut, was sanctified by its firstfruits, namely two loaves of fine flour, being offered to Jehovah.
(3) At the feast of tabernacles, in the end of the common year and the seventh month of the religious year, there was a feast of ingathering when all the fruits of the field had been gathered in. There was no offering of consecration, for the offerings for sanctifying the whole had been presented long before. It was not a consecration of what was begun, but a joyful thanksgiving for what was completed. See for the spiritual lesson Pr 3:9; Ps 118:15.
II. They marked three epochs in Israel's past history. Each of the three marked a step in the HISTORICAL progress of Israel.
(1) The Passover commemorated the deliverance out of Egypt when Jehovah passed over Israel, protecting them from the destroying angel and sparing them, and so achieving for them the first step of independent national life as God's covenant people.
(2) Pentecost marked the giving of the law on Sinai, the second grand era in the history of the elect nation. God solemnly covenanted, "If ye will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people, and ye shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Ex 19:5).
(3) All the nation now wanted was a home. The feast of tabernacles commemorates the establishment of God's people in the land of promise, their pleasant and peaceful home, after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, living in shifting tents. They took boughs of palm and willows of the brook, and made temporary huts of branches and sat under the booths. So in their fixed home and land of rest their enjoyment was enhanced by the thankful and holy remembrance of past wanderings without a fixed dwelling. Joshua especially observed this feast after the settlement in Canaan (as incidentally comes out in Ne 8:17).
Solomon (appropriately to his name, which means king of peace) also did so, for his reign was preeminently the period of peaceful possession when every man dwelt under his own vine and figtree (1Ki 4:25); immediately after that the last relic of wilderness life was abolished by the ark being taken from under curtains and deposited in the magnificent temple of stone in the seventh month (2Ch 5:3), the feast of tabernacles was celebrated on the 15th day, and on the 23rd Solomon sent the great congregation away glad in heart for the goodness that the Lord had showed unto David, Solomon, and Israel His people.
The third celebration especially recorded was after the Babylonian captivity, when the Jews were re-established in their home under Ezra and Nehemiah, and all gathered themselves together as one man on the first day of the seventh month, the feast of trumpets. Then followed the reading of the law and renewal of the covenant. Then finding in the law directions as to the feast of tabernacles, they brought branches of olive, pine, myrtle, and palm, and thick trees, and made booths on their roofs and in their courts, and in the courts of God's house, and sat under them with "great gladness" (Nehemiah 8).
III. They pointed prophetically to three grand antitypical events of the gospel kingdom. Prophetically and typically.
(1) The Passover points to the Lord Jesus, the true paschal Lamb sacrificed for us, whose sacrifice brings to us a perpetual feast (1Co 5:7).
(2) Pentecost points to our Whitsuntide (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit descending on Christ's disciples confirms Christ's covenant of grace in the heart more effectually than the law of Sinai written on stone (2Co 3:3-18).
(3) Two great steps have already been taken toward establishing the kingdom of God. Christ has risen from death as "the firstfruits of them that slept" (1Co 15:20), even as the green ears of barley were offered as firstfruits at Passover. Secondly, the Holy Spirit has not merely once descended but still abides in the church as His temple, giving us a perpetual Whitsun feast, One step more is needed; we have received redemption, also the Holy Spirit; we wait still for our inheritance and abiding home. The feast of tabernacles points on to the antitypical Canaan, the everlasting inheritance, of which the Holy Spirit is the "earnest" (Eph 1:13-14; Heb 4:8-9). The antitypical feast of tabernacles shall be under the antitypical Joshua, Jesus the Captain of our salvation, the antitypical Solomon, the Prince of peace (Isa 9:6; Re 7:9-17).
The zest of the heavenly joy of the palmbearing multitude (antitypical to the palmbearers at the feast of tabernacles), redeemed out of all nations, shall be the remembrance of their tribulations in this wilderness world forever past; for repose is sweetest after toil, and difficulties surmounted add to the delight of triumph. Salvation was the prominent topic at the feast. In later times they used to draw water from the pool of Siloam, repeating from Isaiah 12 "with joy shall ye draw water from the wells of salvation," r
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And this day shall be unto you a remembrance, and ye shall keep it holy unto the LORD: even throughout your generations after you shall ye keep it holy day, that it be a custom forever.
Now therefore if ye will hear my voice and keep mine covenant: ye shall be mine own above all nations, for all the earth is mine.
And ye shall make a proclamation the same day that it be a holy feast unto you, and ye shall do no laborious work therein. And it shall be a law forever throughout all your habitations unto your children after you. "'When ye reap down your harvest, thou shalt not make clean riddance of thy field, neither shalt thou make any after gathering of thy harvest: but shalt leave them unto the poor and the stranger. I am the LORD your God.'" read more. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say, 'The first day of the seventh month shall be a rest of remembrance unto you, to blow horns in a holy feast it shall be, and ye shall do no laborious work therein, and ye shall offer sacrifice unto the LORD.'" And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Also the tenth day of the self seventh month, is a day of atonement, and shall be a holy feast unto you, and ye shall humble your souls and offer sacrifice unto the LORD. Moreover ye shall do no work the same day, for it is a day of atonement to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that humbleth not himself that day, he shall be destroyed from among his people. And whatsoever soul do any manner work that day, the same I will destroy from among his people. See that ye do no manner work therefore. And it shall be a law forever unto your generations after you in all your dwellings. A Sabbath of rest it shall be unto you, and ye shall humble your souls. The ninth day of the month at evening, and so forth from evening to evening again, ye shall keep your Sabbath." And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say, 'The fifteenth day of the same seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles, seven days unto the LORD. The first day shall be a holy feast, so that ye shall do no laborious work therein.
"'Moreover in the fifteenth day of the seventh month after that ye have gathered in the fruits of the land, ye shall keep holy day unto the LORD seven days long. The first day shall be a day of rest, and the eighth day shall be a day of rest.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say, 'If any man among you or your children after you be unclean by the reason of a corpse or is in the way far off, then let him offer Passover unto the LORD: the fourteenth day of the second month at even, and eat it with sweet bread and sour herbs,
And the fifteenth day of the seventh month shall be a holy day and ye shall do no laborious work therein, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD of seven days long.
And thou shalt offer peace offerings and shalt eat there and rejoice before the LORD thy God.
And among these nations thou shalt be no small season, and yet shalt have no rest for the sole of thy foot. For the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart and dazing eyes and sorrow of mind.
And Caleb said, "He that smiteth Kiriathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife."
And so did she year by year, as oft as she went up to the house of the LORD. And so chafed her: wherefore Hannah wept and ate not.
Moreover, his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from feast to feast when she came up with her husband to offer the offering of the said feast.
And Judah and Israel dwelt without fear, every man under his vine and under his fig tree from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
And Jeroboam thought in his heart, "Now might the kingdom return to the house of David again. For if this people shall go up and do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall their hearts turn again unto their lord Rehoboam king of Judah. And so shall they kill me and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah."
And he said, "Wherefore wilt thou go to him today, while it is neither new moon nor Sabbath day?" And she said, "Be content."
And all the men of Israel resorted unto the king in the feast of the seventh month.
And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and thereto wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to offer Passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity, made booths, and dwelt therein. For since the time of Jeshua the son of Nun unto this day, had not the children of Israel done so, and there was very great gladness.
Blow up the trumpets in the new moon, upon our solemn feast day.
The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous, for the righthand of the LORD bringeth mighty things to pass.
The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous, for the righthand of the LORD bringeth mighty things to pass.
Help me now O LORD; O LORD, send us now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD; we wish you good luck, ye that be of the house of the LORD.
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstlings of all thine increase:
Offer me no more oblations, for it is but lost labour. I abhor your incense. I may not away with your new moons, your Sabbaths and solemn days. Your fastings are also in vain.
For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given. Upon his shoulders shall the kingdom lie, and he shall be called with his own name, "Wonderful, the giver of counsel, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace."
And the LORD himself shall be king over all the earth. At that time shall there be one LORD only, and his name shall be but one.
Every one that remaineth then of all the people, which came against Jerusalem, shall go up yearly, to worship the King, even the LORD of Hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
For I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till that ye say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
There were present, at the same season, that showed him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their own sacrifice.
The Jews' tabernacle feast was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, "Get thee hence and go into Jewry that thy disciples may see thy works that thou doest. read more. For there is no man that doeth any thing secretly, and he himself seeketh to be known. If thou do such things, show thyself to the world." For as yet his brethren believed not in him. Then Jesus said unto them, "My time is not yet come; your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you. Me it hateth: Because I testify of it, that the works of it are evil. Go ye up unto this feast. I will not go up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come." These words he said unto them, and abode still in Galilee. But as soon as his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast: not openly, but as it were privily. Then sought him the Jews at the feast, and said, "Where is he?" And much murmuring was there of him among the people. Some said, "He is good." Others said, "Nay, but he deceiveth the people." Howbeit, no man spake openly of him, for fear of the Jews. In the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, "How knoweth he the scriptures, seeing that he never learned?" Jesus answered them, and said, "My doctrine is not mine: but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God: or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own praise. But he that seeketh his praise that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Did not Moses give you a law? And yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" The people answered and said, "Thou hast the devil. Who goeth about to kill thee?" Jesus answered, and said unto them, "I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision: not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers. And yet ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision without breaking of the law of Moses: Disdain ye at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day? Judge not after the outer appearance: but judge righteous judgment." Then said some of them of Jerusalem, "Is not this he whom they go about to kill? Behold, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing to him. Do the rulers know, indeed, that this is very Christ? Howbeit, we know this man whence he is, but when Christ cometh, no man shall know whence he is." Then cried Jesus in the temple, as he taught, saying, "And me ye know, and whence I am ye know: and yet I am not come of myself. But he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. I know him: For I am of him, and he hath sent me." Then sought they to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his time was not yet come. Many of the people believed on him, and said, "When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than this man hath done?" The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things about him: Wherefore the Pharisees and high priests sent ministers forth to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, "Yet am I a little while with you, and then go I unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: And where I am, thither can ye not come." Then said the Jews between themselves, "Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? Will he go among the gentiles, which are scattered all abroad, and teach the gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, 'Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: And where I am, thither can ye not come?'" In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
This spake he of the spirit, which they that believed on him should receive. For the holy ghost was not yet there, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.
And sold their possessions and goods, and departed them to all men, as every man had need. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and brake bread in every house, and did eat their meat together with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God,
and laid it down at the apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
In those days, as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were despised in the daily ministration.
Purge therefore the old leaven, that ye may be new dough, as ye are sweet bread. For Christ our Easter lamb is offered up for us.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept.
in that ye are known, how that ye are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us and written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. Such trust have we through Christ to Godward: read more. not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as it were of ourselves; but our ableness cometh of God; which hath made us able to minister the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. If the ministration of death through the letters figured in stones was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses for the glory of countenance - which glory nevertheless is done away - why shall not the ministration of the spirit be much more glorious? For if the ministering of condemnation be glorious: much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For no doubt that which was there glorified is not once glorified in respect of this exceeding glory. Then if that which is destroyed was glorious, much more shall that which remaineth be glorious. Seeing then that we have such trust, we use great boldness; and do not as Moses - which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel should not see for what purpose that served, which is put away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day remaineth the same covering, untaken away, in the old testament when they read it - which in Christ is put away: But even unto this day, when Moses is read the veil hangeth before their hearts. Nevertheless when they turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. The Lord no doubt is a spirit. And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all behold the glory of the Lord with his face open, and we are changed unto the same similitude, from glory to glory, even of the spirit of the Lord.
In whom also ye - after that ye heard the word of truth, I mean the gospel of your salvation wherein ye believed - were sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, to redeem the possession purchased, and that unto the laud of his glory.
For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore yet a rest to the people of God.
even so Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many, and unto them that look for him, shall he appear again, without sin, unto their salvation.
and receive the reward of unrighteousness. They count it pleasure to live deliciously for a season. Spots they are, and filthiness, living at pleasure, and in deceitful ways feasting with you:
After this I beheld, and lo a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and people, and tongues, stood before the seat, and before the lamb, clothed with long white garments, and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be ascribed to him that sitteth upon the seat of our God, and unto the lamb." read more. And all the angels stood in the compass of the seat, and of the elders and of the four beasts, and fell before the seat on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, amen, "Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanks, and honour, and power and might, be unto our God, for evermore, amen." And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, "What are these which are arrayed in long white garments, and whence came they?" And I said unto him, "Lord, thou knowest." And he said unto me, "These are they which came out of great tribulation and made their garments large, and made them white in the blood of the lamb: therefore are they in the presence of the seat of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth in the seat will dwell among them. They shall hunger no more neither thirst, neither shall the sun light on them, neither any heat. For the lamb which is in the midst of the seat, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto fountains of living water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Hastings
Introductory.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
For in six days the LORD made both heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Six days thou shalt do thy work and the seventh day thou shalt keep holy day, that thine ox and thine ass may rest and the son of thy maid and the stranger may be refreshed.
"Three feasts thou shalt hold unto me in a year.
"Three times in a year shall all thy men children appear before the Lord Jehovah.
Keep my Sabbath therefore, that it be a holy thing unto you. He that defileth it, shall be slain therefore. For whosoever worketh therein, the same soul shall be rooted out from among his people. Six days shall men work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the holy rest of the LORD: so that whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, shall die for it.
For it shall be a sign between me, and the children of Israel for ever. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.'"
Thrice in a year shall all your men children appear before the Lord Jehovah, God of Israel:
The fourteenth day of the first month at evening is the LORD's Passover. And the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of sweet bread unto the LORD; seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
Also, when ye be merry in your feast days and in the first days of your months, ye shall blow the trumpets over your burnt sacrifices and peaceofferings, that it may be a remembrance of you before your God. I am the LORD your God."
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks upon the Sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks, brought him unto Moses and Aaron and unto all the congregation: read more. and they put him inward, for it was not declared what should be done unto him. And the LORD said unto Moses, "The man shall die: let all the multitude stone him with stones without the host." And all the multitude brought him without the host and stoned him with stones, and he died as the LORD commanded Moses.
And in the first day of your months, ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD: two young bullocks, and a ram, and seven lambs of a year old without spot, and three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil unto one bullock, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil unto one ram. read more. And evermore, a tenth deal of flour mingled with oil, for a meat offering unto one lamb. That is a burnt offering of a sweet savour in the sacrifice of the LORD. And their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine unto one bullock, and the third part of a hin of wine unto a ram and the fourth part of a hin unto a lamb. This is the burnt offering of every month throughout all the months of the year: and one he-goat for a sin offering unto the LORD, which shall be offered with the daily burnt offering and his drink offering. And the fourteenth day of the first month shall be Passover unto the LORD. And the fifteenth day of the same month shall be a feast, in which seven days men must eat unleavened bread.
but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God; thou shalt do no manner work: neither thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy servant, nor thy maid, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy city, that thy servant and thy maid may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and how that the LORD God brought thee out thence with a mighty hand and a stretched out arm. For which cause the LORD thy God commandeth thee to keep the Sabbath day.
Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose: In the feast of sweet bread, in the feast of weeks and in the feast of the tabernacles. And they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
Thou shalt neither bring the hire of an whore nor the price of a dog into the house of the LORD thy God, in no manner of vow: for even both of them are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin."
For Hannah, she spake in her heart; and her lips did but move only, but her voice was not heard. And therefore Eli took her for drunken,
And David said unto Jonathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the first day of the month, and I should sit with the king at meat. But let me go that I may hide myself in the fields unto this day three days at evening. If thy father miss me, then say, 'David asked leave of me, that he might go to Bethlehem to his own city, for there is holden a yearly feast for all his kin.'
Then said Jonathan to David, "Tomorrow shall be the first day of the moon. And thou shalt be missed, because the place shall appear empty.
And so David hid himself in the field. And when the new moon was come, the king sat him down at meat, for to eat.
And he said, "Wherefore wilt thou go to him today, while it is neither new moon nor Sabbath day?" And she said, "Be content."
And Nehemiah - which is Hathirsatha - and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites that caused the people to take heed, said unto all the people, "This day is holy unto the LORD your God: be not ye sorry therefore, and weep not." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
And we cast the lot among the priests, Levites and the people, for offering of the wood to be brought unto the house of our God from year to year, after the houses of our fathers that it might be burnt at times appointed, upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:
At the same time saw I some treading wine presses on the Sabbath and bringing in clusters, and asses laden with wine, grapes, figs, and bringing all manner of burdens unto Jerusalem, upon the Sabbath day. And I rebuked them earnestly the same day that they sold the victuals.
And I said unto the Levites which were clean, that they should come and keep the gates, to hallow the Sabbath day. Think upon me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to thy great mercy!
and to offer the wood at times appointed, and the firstfruits. Think thou upon me, O my God, for the best!
Offer me no more oblations, for it is but lost labour. I abhor your incense. I may not away with your new moons, your Sabbaths and solemn days. Your fastings are also in vain.
Blessed is the man that doth this, and the man's child which keepeth the same. He that taketh heed, that he unhallow not the Sabbath; that is, he that keepeth himself that he do no evil.
Again, he sayeth unto the strangers that are disposed to stick to the LORD, to serve him, and to Love his name: That they shall be no bondman. And all they, which keep themselves, that they unhallow not the Sabbath - namely, that they fulfill my covenant -
Yea, if thou turn thy feet from the Sabbath, so that thou do not the thing which pleaseth thyself in my holy day: then shalt thou be called unto the pleasant, holy, and glorious Sabbath of the LORD, where thou shalt be in honor - so that thou do not after thine own imagination, neither seek thine own will, nor speak thine own words.
and say unto them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all thou people of Judah, and all ye citizens of Jerusalem, that go through this gate! Thus the LORD commandeth: Take heed for your lives, that ye carry no burden upon you in the Sabbath, to bring it through the gates of Jerusalem: read more. ye shall bear no burden also out of your houses in the Sabbath: Ye shall do no labour therein, but hallow the Sabbath, as I commanded your fathers. Howbeit, they obeyed me not, neither hearkened they unto me: but were obstinate and stubborn, and neither obeyed me, nor received my correction. Nevertheless, if ye will hear me, sayeth the LORD, and bear no burden into the city through this gate upon the Sabbath; If ye will hallow the Sabbath, so that ye do no work therein;
I gave them also my holy days, to be a token betwixt me and them, and thereby to know that I am the LORD which halloweth them. And yet the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They would not walk in my commandments; they have cast away my laws, which whoso keepeth should live in them; and my Sabbath days have they greatly unhallowed. Then I made me to pour out my indignation upon them, and to consume them in the wilderness.
And that because they refused my laws, and walked not in my commandments, but had unhallowed my Sabbaths - for their heart was gone after their Idols.
hallow my Sabbaths: for they are a token betwixt me and you, that ye may know how that I am the LORD.'
Moreover, I will take away all her mirth, her holidays, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts:
They tread upon poor men's heads, in the dust of the earth, and crook the ways of the meek. The son and the father go to the harlot, to dishonour my holy name,
"When will the new month be gone, that we may sell victuals; and the Sabbath, that we may have scarceness of corn; to make the bushel less, and the Sicle greater?
"When will the new month be gone, that we may sell victuals; and the Sabbath, that we may have scarceness of corn; to make the bushel less, and the Sicle greater?
And the first day of sweet bread, when men offer the paschal lamb, his disciples said unto him, "Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the Easter lamb?"
Morish
The feasts of Jehovah, as instituted under the law as given by Moses, partake more of the character of commemorations, or assemblies of the congregation to celebrate special dealings of the Lord, and consequently special seasons in the history of His people, being called 'holy convocations.' A list of the yearly feasts is given in Lev. 23. The first mentioned is the Sabbath, and if this is counted as one, by considering the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread as one there are seven in all
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Three feasts thou shalt hold unto me in a year. Thou shalt keep the feast of sweet bread, that thou eat unleavened bread seven days long as I commanded thee in the time appointed of the month of Abib, for in that month thou camest out of Egypt: and see that no man appear before me empty. read more. And the feast of Harvest, when thou reapest the first fruits of thy labors which thou hast sown in the field. And the feast of ingathering, in the end of the year: when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field. "Three times in a year shall all thy men children appear before the Lord Jehovah.
The fourteenth day of the first month at evening is the LORD's Passover. And the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of sweet bread unto the LORD; seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. read more. The first day shall be a holy feast unto you, so that ye may do no laborious work therein. But ye shall offer sacrifices unto the LORD seven days, and the seventh day also shall be a holy feast, so that ye may do no laborious work therein.'" And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, 'When ye be come into the land which I give unto you and reap down your harvest, ye shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest unto the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD to be accepted for you: and even the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer the day when he waveth the sheaf, a lamb without blemish of a year old for a burnt offering unto the LORD: and the meat offering thereof, two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil to be a sacrifice unto the LORD of a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereto, the fourth deal of a hin of wine. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor frumenty of new corn: until the self same day that ye have brought an offering unto your God. And this shall be a law forever unto your children after you, wheresoever ye dwell. "'And ye shall count from the morrow after the Sabbath: even from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering, seven weeks complete: even unto the morrow after the seventh week ye shall number fifty days. And then ye shall bring a new meat offering unto the LORD. And ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves made of two tenth deals of fine flour, leavened and baken, for first fruits unto the LORD. And ye shall bring with the bread seven lambs without deformity of one year of age, and one young ox, and two rams, which shall serve for burnt offerings unto the LORD, with meat offerings and drink offerings longing to the same, to be a sacrifice of a sweet savour unto the LORD. And ye shall offer a he goat for a sin offering: and two lambs of one year old for peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits before the LORD, and with the two lambs. And they shall be holy unto the LORD, and be the priest's. And ye shall make a proclamation the same day that it be a holy feast unto you, and ye shall do no laborious work therein. And it shall be a law forever throughout all your habitations unto your children after you. "'When ye reap down your harvest, thou shalt not make clean riddance of thy field, neither shalt thou make any after gathering of thy harvest: but shalt leave them unto the poor and the stranger. I am the LORD your God.'" And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say, 'The first day of the seventh month shall be a rest of remembrance unto you, to blow horns in a holy feast it shall be, and ye shall do no laborious work therein, and ye shall offer sacrifice unto the LORD.'" And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Also the tenth day of the self seventh month, is a day of atonement, and shall be a holy feast unto you, and ye shall humble your souls and offer sacrifice unto the LORD. Moreover ye shall do no work the same day, for it is a day of atonement to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whatsoever soul it be that humbleth not himself that day, he shall be destroyed from among his people. And whatsoever soul do any manner work that day, the same I will destroy from among his people. See that ye do no manner work therefore. And it shall be a law forever unto your generations after you in all your dwellings. A Sabbath of rest it shall be unto you, and ye shall humble your souls. The ninth day of the month at evening, and so forth from evening to evening again, ye shall keep your Sabbath." And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say, 'The fifteenth day of the same seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles, seven days unto the LORD. The first day shall be a holy feast, so that ye shall do no laborious work therein. Seven days ye shall offer sacrifice unto the LORD, and the eighth day shall be a holy feast unto you, and ye shall offer sacrifice unto the LORD. It is the end of the feast, and ye shall do no laborious work therein. "'These are the feasts of the LORD which ye shall proclaim holy feasts, for to offer sacrifice unto the LORD, burnt offerings, meat offerings, and drink offerings every day: beside the Sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and all your vows, and all your freewill offerings which ye shall give unto the LORD. "'Moreover in the fifteenth day of the seventh month after that ye have gathered in the fruits of the land, ye shall keep holy day unto the LORD seven days long. The first day shall be a day of rest, and the eighth day shall be a day of rest. And ye shall take you the first day, the fruits of goodly trees and the branches of palm trees and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and shall rejoice before the LORD seven days. And ye shall keep it holy day unto the LORD seven days in the year. And it shall be a law forever unto your children after you, that ye keep that feast in the seventh month. And ye shall dwell in booths seven days: even all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths, that your children after you may know how that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: for I am the LORD your God.'" And Moses told all the feasts of the LORD unto the children of Israel.
These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your feasts: beside your vows and freewill offerings, in your burnt offerings, meat offerings, drink offerings and peace offerings."'
Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose: In the feast of sweet bread, in the feast of weeks and in the feast of the tabernacles. And they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
namely to the shewbread, to the daily meat offering, to the daily burnt offering of the Sabbaths, of the new moons and feast days, and to the things that were sanctified, and to the sin offerings, to reconcile Israel withal, and to all the business in the house of our God.
that they should yearly receive and hold the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the month Adar,
For the which cause they called this day Purim after the name of Pur, according to all the words of this writing: and what they themselves had seen, and what had happened unto them.
And it was at Jerusalem, the feast of the dedication, and it was the winter:
Smith
Feasts.
[FESTIVALS; MEALS]
See Festivals
See Meals
Watsons
FEASTS. God appointed several festivals among the Jews.
1. To perpetuate the memory of great events; so, the Sabbath commemorated the creation of the world; the passover, the departure out of Egypt; the pentecost, the law given at Sinai, &c.
2. To keep them under the influence of religion, and by the majesty of that service which he instituted among them, and which abounded in mystical symbols or types of evangelical things, to convey spiritual instruction, and to keep alive the expectation of the Messiah, and his more perfect dispensation.
3. To secure to them certain times of rest and rejoicings.
4. To render them familiar with the law; for, in their religious assemblies, the law of God was read and explained.
5. To renew the acquaintance, correspondence, and friendship of their tribes and families, coming from the several towns in the country, and meeting three times a year in the holy city.
The first and most ancient festival, the Sabbath, or seventh day, commemorated the creation. "The Lord blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it," says Moses, "because that in it he had rested from all his work," Ge 2:3. See SABBATH.
The passover was instituted in memory of the Israelites' departure out of Egypt, and of the favour which God showed his people in sparing their first-born, when he destroyed the first-born of the Egyptians, Ex 12:14, &c. See PASSOVER.
The feast of pentecost was celebrated on the fiftieth day after the passover, in memory of the law being given to Moses on Mount Sinai, fifty days after the departure out of Egypt. They reckoned seven weeks from the passover to pentecost, beginning at the day after the passover. The Hebrews call it the feast of weeks, and the Christians, pentecost, which signifies the fiftieth day.
The feast of trumpets was celebrated on the first day of the civil year; on which the trumpets sounded, proclaiming the beginning of the year, which was in the month Tisri, answering to our September, O. S. We know no religious cause of its establishment. Moses commands it to be observed as a day of rest, and that particular sacrifices should be offered at that time.
The new moons, or first days of every month, were, in some sort, a consequence of the feasts of trumpets. The law did not oblige people to rest upon this day, but ordained only some particular sacrifices. It appears that, on these days, also, the trumpet was sounded, and entertainments were made, 1Sa 20:5-18.
The feast of expiation or atonement was celebrated on the tenth day of Tisri, which was the first day of the civil year. It was instituted for a general expiation of sins, irreverences, and pollutions of all the Israelites, from the high priest to the lowest of the people, committed by them throughout the year, Le 23:27-28; Nu 29:7. See EXPIATION, Day of.
The feast of tents, or tabernacle, on which all Israel were obliged to attend the temple, and to dwell eight days under tents of branches, in memory of their fathers dwelling forty years in tents, as travellers in the wilderness. It was kept on the fifteenth of the month Tisri, the first of the civil year. The first and seventh day of this feast were very solemn. But during the other days of the octave they might work, Le 23:34-35; Nu 29:12-13. At the beginning of the feast, two vessels of silver were carried in a ceremonious manner to the temple, one full of water, the other of wine, which were poured at the foot of the altar of burnt offerings, always on the seventh day of this festival.
Of the three great feasts of the year, the passover, pentecost, and that of the tabernacles, the octave, or seventh day after these feasts, was a day of rest as much as the festival itself; and all the males of the nation were obliged to visit the temple at these three feasts. But the law did not require them to continue there during the whole octave, except in the feast of tabernacles, when they seem obliged to be present for the whole seven days.
Beside these feasts, we find the feast of lots, or purim, instituted on occasion of the deliverance of the Jews from Haman's plot, in the reign of Ahasuerus. See PURIM.
The feast of the dedication of the temple, or rather of the restoration of the temple, which had been profaned by Antiochus Epiphanes, 1 Mac. 4:52, &c, was celebrated in winter, and is supposed to be the feast of dedication mentioned in Joh 10:22. Josephus says, that it was called the feast of lights, probably because this happiness befel them when least expected, and they considered it as a new light risen on them.
In the Christian church, no festival appears to have been expressly instituted by Jesus Christ, or his Apostles. Yet, as we commemorate the passion of Christ as often as we celebrate his Supper, he seems by this to have instituted a perpetual feast. Christians have always celebrated the memory of his resurrection, and observe this feast on every Sunday, which was commonly called the Lord's day, Re 1:10. By inference we may conclude this festival to have been instituted by Apostolic authority.
The birth-day of Christ, commonly called Christmas-day, has been generally observed by his disciples with gratitude and joy. His birth was the greatest blessing ever bestowed on mankind. The angels from heaven celebrated it with a joyful hymn; and every man, who has any feeling of his own lost state without a Redeemer, must rejoice and be glad in it. "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Isa 9:6. For this festival, however, there is no authority in Scripture, nor do we know that it was observed in the age of the Apostles.
On Easter Sunday we celebrate our Saviour's victory over death and hell, when, having on the cross made an atonement for the sin of the world, he rose again from the grave, brought life and immortality to light, and opened to all his faithful servants the way to heaven. On this great event rest all our hopes. "If Christ be not risen," says St. Paul, "then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept," 1Co 15:14,20.
Forty days after his resurrection, our Lord ascended into heaven, in the sight of his disciples. This is celebrated on what is called Ascension-day, or Holy Thursday. Ten days after his ascension, our Lord sent the Holy Spirit to be the comforter and guide of his disciples. This blessing is commemorated on Whit-Sunday, which is a very great festival, and may be profitably observed; for the assistance of the Holy Spirit can alone support us through all temptations, and guide us into all truth.
The pretended success of some in discovering the remains of certain holy men, called "relics," multiplied in the fourth century of the Christian church the festivals and commemorations of the martyrs in a most extravagant manner. These days, instead of being set apart for pious exercises, were spent in indolence, voluptuousness, and criminal pursuits; and were less consecrated to the service of God, than employed in the indulgence of sinful passions. Many of these festivals were instituted on a Pagan model, and perverted to similar purposes.
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And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; for in it he rested from all his works which he had created and made.
And this day shall be unto you a remembrance, and ye shall keep it holy unto the LORD: even throughout your generations after you shall ye keep it holy day, that it be a custom forever.
"Also the tenth day of the self seventh month, is a day of atonement, and shall be a holy feast unto you, and ye shall humble your souls and offer sacrifice unto the LORD. Moreover ye shall do no work the same day, for it is a day of atonement to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say, 'The fifteenth day of the same seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles, seven days unto the LORD. The first day shall be a holy feast, so that ye shall do no laborious work therein.
And the tenth day of that same seventh month shall be a holy feast unto you, and ye shall humble your souls and shall do no manner work therein.
And the fifteenth day of the seventh month shall be a holy day and ye shall do no laborious work therein, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD of seven days long. And ye shall offer a burnt offering of a sweet savour unto the LORD: thirteen bullocks two rams and fourteen lambs which are yearlings and pure,
And David said unto Jonathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the first day of the month, and I should sit with the king at meat. But let me go that I may hide myself in the fields unto this day three days at evening. If thy father miss me, then say, 'David asked leave of me, that he might go to Bethlehem to his own city, for there is holden a yearly feast for all his kin.' read more. And if thy father say thus, 'It is well done,' then thy servant shall have peace. But and if he be angry, then be sure that wickedness is utterly concluded of him. And then thou shalt show mercy unto thy servant, for thou hast made with me thy servant a bond in the LORD. Notwithstanding, if there be in me any trespass, then slay me thyself, for what needeth thee to bring me to thy father?" And Jonathan answered, "God keep that from thee: that I should know that wickedness were concluded of my father to come upon thee, and should not tell it thee." Then said David, "Who shall tell me, if thy father answer cruelly?" Then said Jonathan to David, "Come, and let us go out into the fields." And they went out both of them into the fields. And Jonathan said unto David, "O LORD God of Israel, when I have groped my father's mind, one time or other within this three days, that it stand well with David: and I then send not unto thee and show it thee, the LORD do so and so unto Jonathan. And in like manner, if evil to thee ward please my father, I will show thee and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace. And the LORD be with thee as he hath been with my father. And thou shalt perform unto me the mercy of the LORD, not only while I live; but even when I am dead pluck not thy mercy away from my house forever. No, not when the LORD hath destroyed the enemies of David, every one, from the face of the earth." And so Jonathan made a bond with the house of David, desiring that the LORD should seek, out of the hands of David's enemies, their wickedness. And with other words Jonathan adjured David, because he loved him. For as his own soul he loved him. Then said Jonathan to David, "Tomorrow shall be the first day of the moon. And thou shalt be missed, because the place shall appear empty.
For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given. Upon his shoulders shall the kingdom lie, and he shall be called with his own name, "Wonderful, the giver of counsel, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of peace."
And it was at Jerusalem, the feast of the dedication, and it was the winter:
If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also in vain.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept.
I was in the spirit on a Sunday, and heard behind me a great voice, as it had been of a trumpet,