Lexical Summary skénopégia: Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths Original Word: σκηνοπηγία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tabernacles. From skenos and pegnumi; the Festival of Tabernacles (so called from the custom of erecting booths for temporary homes) -- tabernacles. see GREEK skenos see GREEK pegnumi NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom skéné and pégnumi Definition the setting up of tents NASB Translation feast of Booths (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4634: σκηνοπηγίασκηνοπηγία, σκηνοπηγίας, ἡ (σκηνή and πήγνυμι, cf. Hebrews 8:2); 1. the construction of a tabernacle or tabernacles: ἡ τῆς χελιδονος, the skill of the swallow in building its nest, Aristotle, h. a. 9, 7 (p. 612{b}, 22). 2. the feast of tabernacles: John 7:2. This festival was observed by the Jews yearly for seven days, beginning with the 15th of the month Tisri (i. e. approximately, Oct.; cf. BB. DD., under the word John 7:2 contains the sole New Testament use of σκηνοπηγία (skēnopēgia): “However, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near.” (John 7:2). The verse serves as the narrative setting for a major block of Johannine teaching, anchoring the life-giving revelations of Jesus to Israel’s last great pilgrimage feast. Old Testament Foundations • Institution: Leviticus 23:33-44 commands a seven-day feast beginning on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, with an additional closing assembly on the eighth day. Israel was to dwell in booths constructed from “branches of palms, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook” (Leviticus 23:40). Ritual and Calendar 1. Pilgrimage: One of three annual feasts requiring the nation to appear before the LORD in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). The Feast in Israel’s Story • Temple dedication: Solomon chose Tabernacles for the consecration of the first temple (1 Kings 8:2, 65). Second Temple and First-Century Observance By the time the Gospel of John was written, σκηνοπηγία had become the most joyous week of the Jewish year, featuring: Christological Fulfillment 1. Presence: The Word “tabernacled” (ἐσκήνωσεν) among us (John 1:14), echoing the booths that proclaimed God’s dwelling with Israel. Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions • Universal worship: Zechariah 14 envisions nations ascending to Jerusalem, signaling the worldwide recognition of the King. Theological Themes • Divine provision: remembers both wilderness sustenance and ongoing agricultural blessing. Ministry Implications Today • Celebration of God’s faithful presence encourages believers to trust His care in present pilgrimage. |