◄ Leviticus 23:42 ►
You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths,
Study Bible
You are to dwell in booths for seven days.
This command is part of the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, which is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish calendar. The term "booths" refers to temporary shelters or huts, called sukkot in Hebrew, which the Israelites were to construct and live in during the festival. This practice commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, living in temporary dwellings as they journeyed to the Promised Land. The number seven is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness or perfection, reflecting the fullness of God's provision and protection during the wilderness period. The seven-day duration of the festival also aligns with the creation week, emphasizing rest and reliance on God.

All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths,
This phrase specifies that the command to dwell in booths applies to all native-born Israelites, highlighting the communal and national aspect of the festival. It serves as a reminder of their shared history and identity as God's chosen people. The requirement for native-born Israelites underscores the covenant relationship between God and the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This practice is a tangible expression of obedience and remembrance, reinforcing the importance of heritage and tradition. The act of dwelling in booths is also a prophetic symbol pointing to the transient nature of earthly life and the ultimate rest and security found in God's eternal kingdom. In the New Testament, the concept of dwelling among us is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who "tabernacled" among humanity, providing a deeper spiritual significance to the practice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who are God's chosen people in the Old Testament. They are the primary audience of the instructions given in Leviticus.

2. Booths (Sukkot)
Temporary shelters made from branches and leaves, symbolizing the dwellings used by the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.

3. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)
A Jewish festival lasting seven days, commemorating the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and God's provision during that time.
Teaching Points
Remembrance of God's Provision
The command to live in booths serves as a tangible reminder of God's provision and protection during the Israelites' wilderness journey. It encourages believers to remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in their own lives.

Symbol of Temporary Dwelling
The temporary nature of the booths symbolizes the transient nature of earthly life and points to the eternal dwelling promised to believers. This encourages Christians to focus on eternal values rather than temporary comforts.

Community and Unity
The collective observance of living in booths fosters a sense of community and unity among the Israelites. Similarly, Christian fellowship and shared worship experiences strengthen the body of Christ.

Obedience to God's Commands
Observing the Feast of Tabernacles as instructed demonstrates obedience to God's commands. This teaches believers the importance of following God's Word in all aspects of life.

Joyful Celebration
The Feast of Tabernacles is a time of joy and celebration, reflecting the joy found in God's presence and provision. Christians are encouraged to cultivate joy in their spiritual journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the practice of living in booths during the Feast of Tabernacles help the Israelites remember their history and God's provision?

2. In what ways can Christians today create tangible reminders of God's faithfulness in their lives?

3. How does the concept of temporary dwelling in booths relate to the New Testament teachings on the transient nature of life and the promise of eternal life?

4. What are some ways that observing biblical festivals or traditions can enhance community and unity within the church?

5. How can the joy and celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles inspire Christians to find joy in their relationship with God, even in challenging times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 23:16
This verse introduces the Feast of Ingathering, which is another name for the Feast of Tabernacles, highlighting its agricultural significance and its role in the cycle of Jewish festivals.

Nehemiah 8:14-18
This passage describes the revival of the Feast of Tabernacles during Nehemiah's time, emphasizing the importance of returning to God's commands and celebrating His faithfulness.

John 7:2, 37-39
These verses describe Jesus attending the Feast of Tabernacles, where He speaks of the living water, connecting the physical celebration to spiritual truths.
Sermons
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
The HebdomadJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 23:23-44
Joy Before the LordW. Clarkson Leviticus 23:33-43
The Pilgrim Spirit as Illustrated in the Feast of TabernaclesR.M. Edgar Leviticus 23:33-43
The Feast of TabernaclesJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 23:33-44
The Feast of TabernaclesR.A. Redford Leviticus 23:33-44
A Festival Kept to the LordE. Payson, D. D.Leviticus 23:34-42
Dwelling in BoothsS. Martin, D. D.Leviticus 23:34-42
Harvest ThanksgivingPhilip Neale.Leviticus 23:34-42
Pleasant MinistriesJ. Parker. D. D.Leviticus 23:34-42
Sojourning in BoothsW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of TabernacleJ. B. Lowe, . B. A.Leviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of TabernaclesH. M. Grout, D. D.Leviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of TabernaclesDe Witt S. Clark.Leviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of TabernaclesD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of TabernaclesHenry, MatthewLeviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of TabernaclesBp. Babington.Leviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of Tabernacles (A New Year's Sermon)Anon.Leviticus 23:34-42
The Feast of TabernaclesS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 23:40-43
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Birth, Booths, Born, Dwell, Home-born, Israelites, Living-places, Native, Native-born, Natives, Seven, Tents
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 23:33-43

     4208   land, divine responsibility
     8644   commemoration

Leviticus 23:39-43

     8642   celebration

Leviticus 23:42-43

     4945   history
     7358   Feast of Tabernacles

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

Links
Leviticus 23:42 NIV
Leviticus 23:42 NLT
Leviticus 23:42 ESV
Leviticus 23:42 NASB
Leviticus 23:42 KJV

Leviticus 23:42 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Leviticus 23:41
Top of Page
Top of Page