New International Version Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. New Living Translation Three times each year every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the LORD, the God of Israel. English Standard Version Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel. Berean Standard Bible Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. Berean Literal Bible Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the face of the Lord YHWH, God of Israel. King James Bible Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. New King James Version “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel. New American Standard Bible Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. NASB 1995 “Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. NASB 1977 “Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. Legacy Standard Bible Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel. Amplified Bible Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. Berean Annotated Bible Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD {YHWH}, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God). Christian Standard Bible Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. Holman Christian Standard Bible Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. American Standard Version Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord Jehovah, the God of Israel. Contemporary English Version Your men must come to worship me three times a year, because I am the LORD God of Israel. English Revised Version Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Three times a year all your men must come into the presence of the Master, the LORD God of Israel. Good News Translation "Three times a year all of your men must come to worship me, the LORD, the God of Israel. International Standard Version Three times during the year all your males are to appear in the presence of the LORD God of Israel, NET Bible At three times in the year all your men must appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. New Heart English Bible Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the LORD, the God of Israel. Webster's Bible Translation Thrice in the year shall all your male children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThree times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. World English Bible Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThree times in a year all your males appear before the Lord YHWH, God of Israel; Berean Literal Bible Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the face of the Lord YHWH, God of Israel. Young's Literal Translation 'Three times in a year do all thy males appear before the Lord Jehovah, God of Israel; Smith's Literal Translation Three times in the year all thy males shall be seen before the Lord Jehovah, the God of Israel. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThree times in a year all thy males shall appear in the sight of the Almighty Lord the God of Israel. Catholic Public Domain Version Three times a year, all your males shall appear in the sight of the Almighty, the Lord God of Israel. New American Bible Three times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel. New Revised Standard Version Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThree times a year shall all your memorial offerings be brought before the LORD, the God of Israel. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the feast of sevens you shall make to you at the beginning of the harvest of wheat and at the feast of gathering in the outgoing of the year. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. Brenton Septuagint Translation Three times in the year shall every male of thine appear before the Lord the God of Israel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The LORD Renews the Covenant…22And you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. 23Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. 24For I will drive out the nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the LORD your God.… Cross References Three times a year Exodus 23:14 Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me. 1 Kings 9:25 Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple. 2 Chronicles 8:13 He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. all your males Exodus 23:17 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD. Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. Luke 2:41 Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. are to appear before the Lord GOD, Deuteronomy 31:11 when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. Psalm 84:7 They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion. 1 Samuel 1:22 but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.” the God of Israel. 2 Kings 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Psalm 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 1 Samuel 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” Zechariah 14:16 Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Isaiah 66:23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD. Nehemiah 8:18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. The Israelites kept the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly, according to the ordinance. Leviticus 23:34-36 “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days. / On the first day there shall be a sacred assembly. You must not do any regular work. / For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the eighth day you are to hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work. Treasury of Scripture Thrice in the year shall all your male children appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel. trice Exodus 23:14,17 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year… Deuteronomy 16:16 Three 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: Psalm 84:7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. the God Genesis 32:28 And 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. Genesis 33:20 And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael. Jump to Previous Appear Children Israel Male Males Sovereign Three Thrice TimesJump to Next Appear Children Israel Male Males Sovereign Three Thrice TimesExodus 34 1. The tablets are replaced5. The name of the Lord proclaimed 8. Moses entreats God to go with them 10. God makes a covenant with them, repeating certain duties 28. Moses after forty days on the mount, comes down with the tablets 29. His face is radiant, and he covers it with a veil Three times a year Israel’s men were to gather for Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These appointed feasts joined remembrance of God’s redemption from Egypt with thanksgiving for His provision in the land. Regular pilgrimage taught each generation that national life, harvest, worship, and covenant identity belonged to the Lord. Exo 23:14 Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me. all your males Men bore the representative responsibility of appearing before God on behalf of their households, while the celebrations also included families, servants, Levites, and the needy. The command established worship as a central duty rather than a private preference, calling Israel’s homes and tribes to order their lives around the Lord. Exo 23:17 Three times a year all your males are to appear… are to appear before the Lord GOD, The gathered worshipers came to the place where God caused His name to dwell, bringing sacrifices and offerings rather than appearing empty-handed. Their presence acknowledged the Lord as Israel’s King and Redeemer. The pilgrimages anticipated the greater access to God secured through Jesus Christ, who brings His people into God’s presence. Deu 31:11 when all Israel comes before the LORD your God… the God of Israel. The Lord had chosen Israel, delivered them from bondage, and bound Himself to them in covenant. Unlike the local gods of the surrounding nations, He ruled over all creation and required exclusive devotion from His people. 2Ki 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel… Persons / Places / Events 1. The Lord GODRefers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His sovereignty and authority over His people. 2. The God of Israel Highlights the special relationship between God and the nation of Israel, chosen as His people. 3. All your males Refers to the adult male population of Israel, who were required to participate in these pilgrimages. 4. Three times a year This refers to the three major pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish calendar: Passover, Shavuot (Weeks), and Sukkot (Tabernacles). 5. Appear before This phrase indicates a formal presentation or coming into the presence of God, often associated with worship and sacrifice. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe requirement for all males to appear before God emphasizes the importance of obedience to divine instructions. This teaches us the value of prioritizing God's commands in our lives. Community Worship The collective gathering of the Israelites for worship highlights the significance of community in spiritual practices. Believers today are encouraged to engage in corporate worship and fellowship. Remembrance and Celebration The festivals served as times of remembrance and celebration of God's deliverance and provision. Christians are reminded to regularly reflect on and celebrate God's work in their lives. Spiritual Pilgrimage The physical journey to appear before God symbolizes a spiritual pilgrimage. Believers are called to continually seek God's presence and grow in their spiritual walk. God's Sovereignty and Provision Acknowledging God as the "God of Israel" reminds us of His sovereignty and faithfulness. Trusting in God's provision and guidance is crucial for our faith journey. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 34:23?2. How does Exodus 34:23 emphasize the importance of appearing before God annually? 3. What does "three times a year" teach about regular worship in Exodus 34:23? 4. How does Exodus 34:23 connect with the New Testament call to gather regularly? 5. How can we prioritize meeting with God in our busy modern lives? 6. What lessons from Exodus 34:23 can strengthen our commitment to communal worship? 7. Why does Exodus 34:23 emphasize the importance of appearing before God three times a year? 8. How does Exodus 34:23 reflect the significance of pilgrimage in ancient Israelite religion? 9. What theological implications arise from the command in Exodus 34:23? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 34? What Does Exodus 34:23 Mean Three times a year• God establishes a rhythm of worship by appointing three pilgrimage festivals—Unleavened Bread (Passover), Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles (Booths); see Exodus 23:14-17 and Deuteronomy 16:16-17. • These set times anchor Israel’s calendar around redemption, provision, and joyful rest, reflecting Leviticus 23. • The pattern endures through Scripture: 2 Chronicles 8:13 notes Solomon keeping the schedule, John 2:13 records Jesus at Passover, and Acts 2:1 finds the early church gathered at Pentecost. All your males • Covenant headship made each man responsible to lead his household in worship; compare Deuteronomy 31:12 and 1 Samuel 1:3. • Women and children often accompanied them (Luke 2:41), yet the command underscores representative leadership and communal accountability. • The principle reminds believers that worship is not optional or private but a public declaration of loyalty to the LORD. Are to appear • “Appear” conveys a summons, not a suggestion; Deuteronomy 16:16 repeats, “They must not appear before the LORD empty-handed.” • Psalm 42:2 echoes the longing, “When shall I come and appear before God?”. • In Christ, believers still heed the call to assemble: Hebrews 10:25 urges, “Let us not neglect meeting together.” Before the Lord GOD • Worship happens in God’s chosen presence—first the tabernacle, later the temple (Deuteronomy 12:5; 1 Kings 8:33). • Coming “before” Him implies reverence and accountability; 2 Chronicles 7:14 links humble appearance with healing. • Through Jesus our High Priest, we now “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). The God of Israel • The title stresses covenant exclusivity; there is no rival deity (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5). • By attaching His name to Israel, the LORD guarantees faithfulness: “I, the LORD, do not change” (Malachi 3:6). • The phrase also foreshadows the gospel’s expansion—Gentiles are grafted in, yet worship the same God (Romans 11:17; Galatians 3:29). summary Exodus 34:23 calls every Israelite household, through its male representative, to gather three times yearly at God’s appointed place. The rhythm reinforces redemption memories, cultivates national unity, and proclaims allegiance to the one true God. Today the principle endures as believers regularly assemble, celebrate Christ’s finished work, and live under the faithful care of the God of Israel. (23) Thrice in the year shall all your men-children appear before the Lord.—On this requirement, and the political value of the three great festivals, see Note on Exodus 23:14-17.Verse 23. - Thrice in the year, Repeated from Exodus 23:17.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Threeשָׁלֹ֥שׁ (šā·lōš) Number - feminine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice times פְּעָמִ֖ים (pə·‘ā·mîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence a year בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה (baš·šā·nāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8141: A year all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every your males זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔ (zə·ḵū·rə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2138: A male are to appear יֵרָאֶה֙ (yê·rā·’eh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see before פְּנֵ֛י (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the Lord הָֽאָדֹ֥ן ׀ (hā·’ā·ḏōn) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord GOD, יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the God אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Additonal Resources Exodus 34:23 Blue Letter BibleExodus 34:23 Bible Gateway Exodus 34:23 Bible.com Exodus 34:23 NIV |
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