◄ Leviticus 23:2 ►
"Speak to the Israelites and say to them, 'These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of the LORD that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.
Study Bible
Speak to the Israelites
This directive is given to Moses, emphasizing the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. The Israelites are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, chosen by God to be His people. This phrase underscores the importance of communication from God to His chosen people, highlighting the role of Moses as a mediator. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God’s desire to dwell among His people and guide them.

and say to them
This phrase indicates the importance of verbal communication in the transmission of God’s laws and instructions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, oral tradition was a primary means of preserving and conveying important information. This command ensures that the Israelites receive direct and clear instructions from God, reinforcing the authority of the message.

‘These are My appointed feasts
The term "appointed feasts" refers to specific times set by God for the Israelites to gather and worship. These feasts are divinely ordained and are not merely cultural or traditional events. They serve as reminders of God’s provision and faithfulness. The feasts also have prophetic significance, foreshadowing events in the life of Jesus Christ, such as Passover pointing to His sacrificial death.

the feasts of the LORD
This phrase emphasizes that these feasts belong to God, not to the people. They are sacred times established by God for His purposes. The feasts are opportunities for the Israelites to remember and celebrate God’s acts of salvation and provision. They also serve as a means of maintaining the community’s identity and unity under God’s covenant.

that you are to proclaim
The act of proclaiming these feasts involves making them known publicly and ensuring that the entire community is aware of their significance. This proclamation is a communal responsibility, ensuring that each generation understands and participates in these sacred times. It reflects the importance of teaching and passing down God’s commandments.

as sacred assemblies
The term "sacred assemblies" indicates that these gatherings are holy and set apart for worship and reflection. They are not ordinary meetings but are times dedicated to God, requiring the Israelites to cease from regular work and focus on spiritual matters. These assemblies foster a sense of community and shared faith, reinforcing the Israelites’ identity as God’s people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom the laws and commandments were given.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, who establishes the feasts as sacred times for His people.

3. Appointed Feasts
Specific times set by God for the Israelites to gather, worship, and remember His deeds and promises.

4. Sacred Assemblies
Holy gatherings where the community comes together to worship and honor God, distinct from ordinary gatherings.

5. Moses
The prophet and leader through whom God communicated His laws and instructions to the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Understanding Sacred Time
Recognize the importance of setting aside specific times for worship and reflection, as God commanded the Israelites to do.

Community Worship
Emphasize the value of gathering with fellow believers to honor God, drawing strength and encouragement from one another.

Remembrance and Celebration
Use appointed times to remember God's faithfulness and celebrate His ongoing work in our lives.

Holiness in Worship
Approach worship with reverence and a heart prepared to meet with God, acknowledging the sacredness of these gatherings.

Christ as Fulfillment
Reflect on how the feasts point to Christ and find their ultimate fulfillment in Him, deepening our understanding of His work.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are the purposes of the appointed feasts as described in Leviticus 23:2, and how can we apply these purposes to our modern-day worship practices?

2. How do the concepts of sacred assemblies in Leviticus 23:2 relate to the New Testament teachings on gathering as believers?

3. In what ways can we incorporate the principles of remembrance and celebration from the appointed feasts into our personal and communal worship today?

4. How does understanding the original Hebrew term for "appointed feasts" (mo'adim) enhance our appreciation of God's design for worship?

5. How can recognizing Christ as the fulfillment of the feasts deepen our spiritual walk and understanding of God's redemptive plan?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The institution of the Passover, one of the appointed feasts, highlighting God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

Numbers 28-29
Detailed instructions on offerings during the appointed feasts, emphasizing the importance of worship and sacrifice.

Deuteronomy 16
Further elaboration on the feasts, focusing on the joy and community aspects of these sacred times.

Hebrews 10
The concept of sacred assemblies is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to gather together regularly.

Colossians 2
Paul discusses the fulfillment of the feasts in Christ, pointing to their deeper spiritual significance.
Sermons
The Offering of Rest: the SabbathR.M. Edgar Leviticus 23:1-3
The SabbathJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 23:1-3
The FestivalsR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:1-44
Feasts of the LordW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 23:2-44
God's FestivalsHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
God's Holy DaysHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:2-44
Seven Feasts Mentioned in This ChapterD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Great FeastsJ. C. Gray.Leviticus 23:2-44
The Holy FestivalsJ. A. Seiss, . D. D.Leviticus 23:2-44
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Appointed, Assemblies, Convocations, Convocations-my, Feasts, Fixed, Hast, Holy, Israelites, Lord's, Meetings, Proclaim, Sacred, Seasons, Sons, Speak
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 23:1-2

     5213   assembly

Leviticus 23:1-8

     8270   holiness, set apart

Library
The Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Chronology
45. The length of the public ministry of Jesus was one of the earliest questions which arose in the study of the four gospels. In the second and third centuries it was not uncommon to find the answer in the passage from Isaiah (lxi. 1, 2), which Jesus declared was fulfilled in himself. "The acceptable year of the Lord" was taken to indicate that the ministry covered little more than a year. The fact that the first three gospels mention but one Passover (that at the end), and but one journey to Jerusalem, …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

"But if the Spirit of Him that Raised up Jesus from the Dead Dwell in You, He that Raised up Christ from the Dead Shall Also
Rom. viii. 11.--"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." It is true the soul is incomparably better than the body, and he is only worthy the name of a man and of a Christian who prefers this more excellent part, and employs his study and time about it, and regards his body only for the noble guest that lodges within it, and therefore it is one of the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Living at Nazareth and visiting Jerusalem in his Twelfth Year.
(Nazareth and Jerusalem, a.d. 7 or 8.) ^C Luke II. 40-52. ^c 40 And the child grew [This verse contains the history of thirty years. It describes the growth of our Lord as a natural, human growth (compare Luke i. 80); for, though Jesus was truly divine, he was also perfectly man. To try to distinguish between the divine and human in Jesus, is to waste time upon an impracticable mystery which is too subtle for our dull and finite minds], and waxed strong [His life expanded like other human lives. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 14-17; ^B Mark I. 29-34; ^C Luke IV. 38-41. ^c 38 And he arose out of the synagogue [where he had just healed the demoniac], ^b 29 And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came { ^c entered} ^b into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Peter and Andrew had dwelt at Bethsaida (John i. 44). They may have removed to Capernaum, or Bethsaida, being near by, may be here counted as a part, or suburb, of Capernaum. Its name does not contradict …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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