Topical Encyclopedia The concept of celebration in the Bible is deeply rooted in the acknowledgment of God's goodness, faithfulness, and provision. Celebrations often involve communal gatherings, feasting, worship, and expressions of joy and gratitude. The Bible provides numerous examples and instructions regarding celebrations, which are integral to the life of God's people.Old Testament Celebrations 1. Feasts and Festivals: The Old Testament outlines several key feasts and festivals that the Israelites were commanded to observe. These include the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Each of these celebrations had specific purposes and rituals, often commemorating significant events in Israel's history and God's deliverance. For example, the Passover celebrates the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12:14-17). 2. Sabbath: The weekly Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, a celebration of God's creation and His covenant with Israel. It is a time for the community to cease from labor and focus on spiritual renewal (Exodus 20:8-11). 3. Jubilee: The Year of Jubilee, occurring every 50th year, was a time of celebration and restoration. It involved the release of slaves, the return of property, and the forgiveness of debts, symbolizing God's mercy and provision (Leviticus 25:10-12). 4. Personal and Communal Celebrations: Celebrations also occurred in response to personal or communal blessings, such as victories in battle, successful harvests, or the dedication of the Temple. King David, for instance, celebrated the return of the Ark of the Covenant with music and dancing (2 Samuel 6:14-15). New Testament Celebrations 1. The Lord's Supper: Instituted by Jesus during the Passover meal, the Lord's Supper is a celebration of the New Covenant through Christ's sacrifice. It is a time for believers to remember Jesus' death and resurrection and to proclaim His return (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). 2. Weddings: Weddings are occasions for celebration, as seen in the wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). This event underscores the joy and blessing associated with marriage. 3. Joy in Salvation: The New Testament emphasizes the joy of salvation and the celebration of new life in Christ. The parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son all highlight the rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10, 32). 4. Communal Worship: The early church gathered regularly for communal worship, prayer, and breaking of bread, celebrating their shared faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42-47). Biblical Principles of Celebration 1. Joy and Gratitude: Celebrations in the Bible are marked by joy and gratitude, recognizing God's blessings and faithfulness. Psalm 100:1-2 encourages believers to "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs." 2. Remembrance: Many biblical celebrations serve as acts of remembrance, recalling God's mighty acts and His covenant promises. Deuteronomy 16:12 instructs the Israelites to remember their deliverance from Egypt during the Feast of Weeks. 3. Community and Fellowship: Celebrations are often communal, fostering fellowship and unity among God's people. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds" and to "not neglect meeting together." 4. Holiness and Reverence: While celebrations are joyful, they are also to be conducted with a sense of holiness and reverence, acknowledging God's sovereignty and holiness. Leviticus 23:2 refers to the feasts as "appointed times of the LORD," emphasizing their sacred nature. In summary, biblical celebrations are multifaceted, encompassing joy, gratitude, remembrance, community, and reverence. They are vital expressions of faith, drawing believers closer to God and to one another. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To extol or honor in a solemn manner; as, to celebrate the name of the Most High.2. (v. t.) To honor by solemn rites, by ceremonies of joy and respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to observe duly; to keep; as, to celebrate a birthday. 3. (v. t.) To perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn rite; to solemnize; to perform with appropriate rites; as, to celebrate a marriage. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CELEBRATEsel'-e-brat: Of the three Hebrew words so rendered halal, "to praise" is preeminently significant. It is an onomatopoetic word meaning "to give a clear sharp sound," as word in vocal rejoicing, celebration. Its equivalent in Ethiopic is ellell, German hallen, English halloo, and appears in the great choral word Hallelujah of the Hebrew religion. Passing into Christian use it has become the term most expressive of majestic praise. Psalms 113-118 and 136 are called Hallel psalms. Found in Hezekiah's psalm of praise for his miraculous recovery: "Death cannot celebrate thee" (Isaiah 38:18). chaghagh, root meaning "to move in a circle" hence, "to keep a festival" by sacred leaping and dancing; "celebrate (the Revised Version (British and American) "keep") a feast" (Leviticus 23:41); shabhath, "to rest," i.e. keep or observe a holy day; "celebrate (the Revised Version (British and American) "keep") your sabbath" (Leviticus 23:32). Greek 1858b. heortazo -- to celebrate a festival ... 1858a, 1858b. heortazo. 1859 . to celebrate a festival. Transliteration: heortazo Short Definition: celebrate. Word Origin from ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1858b.htm - 5k 5215. humnos -- a hymn 2290. thapto -- to bury 3670. homologeo -- to speak the same, to agree 2165. euphraino -- to cheer, make merry 2811. kleos -- fame 2605. kataggello -- to proclaim 5214. humneo -- to sing to, to laud 5567. psallo -- to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing 1804. exaggello -- to tell out, proclaim Strong's Hebrew 2287. chagag -- to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast... to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast. Transliteration: chagag Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-gag') Short Definition: celebrate. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/2287.htm - 6k 1984. halal -- to shine 7673. shabath -- to cease, desist, rest 7832. sachaq -- to laugh 5608. saphar -- to count, recount, relate 8567. tanah -- perhaps recount, rehearse 2142. zakar -- remember 2167. zamar -- to make music (in praise of God) 6213a. asah -- do, make 5115. navah -- beautify Library But the Games which You Celebrate, Called Floralia and Megalensia. ... But Nothing was Difficult to them with whom it was Lawful to ... How the Monks of Hii, and the Monasteries Subject to Them, Began ... Whether it is Lawful for a Priest to Refrain Entirely from ... Another Heresy, that of the Sabbatians, is Originated by the ... Whether the Time for Celebrating this Mystery Has Been Properly ... But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications.. ... Pentecost This is the Reason, Then, Why Christians are Counted Public ... Epistle xxv. To Maximus of Salona. Thesaurus Celebrate (66 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To extol or honor in a solemn manner; as, to celebrate the name of the Most High. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CELEBRATE. ... /c/celebrate.htm - 27k Booths (24 Occurrences) Lost (85 Occurrences) Easter (1 Occurrence) Alive (166 Occurrences) Sing (147 Occurrences) Lasting (40 Occurrences) Celebrated (24 Occurrences) Thank (68 Occurrences) Yearly (16 Occurrences) Resources Is Celebrate Recovery a biblically sound program? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do we celebrate Christmas? | GotQuestions.org Should Christians celebrate Easter? | GotQuestions.org Celebrate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Celebrate (66 Occurrences)Matthew 26:18 Luke 15:23 Luke 15:24 Luke 15:29 Luke 15:32 1 Corinthians 5:8 Revelation 11:10 Exodus 5:1 Exodus 10:9 Exodus 12:14 Exodus 12:17 Exodus 12:47 Exodus 12:48 Exodus 23:14 Exodus 23:16 Exodus 31:16 Exodus 34:22 Leviticus 23:32 Leviticus 23:39 Leviticus 23:41 Leviticus 25:2 Numbers 9:2 Numbers 9:4 Numbers 9:10 Numbers 9:12 Numbers 9:13 Numbers 9:14 Numbers 29:12 Deuteronomy 16:1 Deuteronomy 16:10 Deuteronomy 16:13 Deuteronomy 16:15 Judges 11:40 Judges 16:23 2 Samuel 6:21 2 Kings 23:21 1 Chronicles 16:4 2 Chronicles 30:1 2 Chronicles 30:2 2 Chronicles 30:3 2 Chronicles 30:5 2 Chronicles 30:13 2 Chronicles 30:23 2 Chronicles 35:16 Nehemiah 8:12 Nehemiah 12:27 Esther 9:21 Esther 9:27 Job 36:24 Psalms 21:13 Psalms 89:5 Psalms 109:30 Psalms 111:1 Psalms 138:2 Psalms 138:4 Psalms 142:7 Isaiah 25:1 Isaiah 30:29 Isaiah 38:18 Isaiah 61:7 Jeremiah 30:19 Ezekiel 45:21 Nahum 1:15 Zechariah 14:16 Zechariah 14:18 Zechariah 14:19 Subtopics Related Terms |