Definition and Terminology:
In-gathering refers to the biblical concept of collecting or gathering crops, people, or blessings. It is most commonly associated with the agricultural practices of ancient Israel and the religious festivals that celebrated these harvests. The term is often linked to the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot, which is a time of thanksgiving for the harvest.

Biblical References:
The concept of in-gathering is primarily found in the Old Testament, where it is associated with the agricultural cycle and the religious calendar of Israel. The Feast of In-gathering is mentioned in Exodus 23:16: "You are to celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field, and the Feast of In-gathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your produce from the field." This feast marks the end of the agricultural year and is a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for God's provision.

In Leviticus 23:39-43, the Feast of Tabernacles is described as a time when the Israelites are to live in booths for seven days to commemorate their journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. This festival is a time of in-gathering, both of the harvest and of the people, as they come together to worship and remember God's faithfulness.

Theological Significance:
In-gathering holds deep theological significance as it symbolizes God's provision and faithfulness. The harvest is seen as a blessing from God, and the act of gathering it is an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and care. The Feast of In-gathering serves as a reminder of the Israelites' dependence on God for sustenance and their need to give thanks for His abundant blessings.

The concept of in-gathering also extends beyond the physical harvest to a spiritual dimension. In the prophetic literature, in-gathering is often used metaphorically to describe the gathering of God's people from exile or dispersion. For example, Isaiah 11:12 speaks of God gathering the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth, symbolizing the restoration and unity of His people.

New Testament Context:
While the specific term "in-gathering" is not used in the New Testament, the concept is present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus speaks of a spiritual harvest in John 4:35-36: "Do you not say, 'There are still four months until the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together."

The apostle Paul also uses the imagery of harvest and in-gathering to describe the collection of believers and the spread of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 9:10, he writes, "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness."

Cultural and Historical Context:
In-gathering was an essential part of the agrarian society of ancient Israel. The agricultural calendar dictated much of the social and religious life of the people. The Feast of In-gathering, or Tabernacles, was one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, along with Passover and Pentecost, where Israelites were required to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem.

This festival was a time of great joy and celebration, marked by the offering of sacrifices, the waving of palm branches, and the construction of temporary shelters or booths. It was a communal event that reinforced the identity and unity of the Israelite people as they remembered their past and looked forward to God's continued provision.

Conclusion:
The concept of in-gathering in the Bible encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of God's provision and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude, community, and reliance on God for all aspects of life.614. asiph -- ingathering, harvest
... 613, 614. asiph. 615 . ingathering, harvest. Transliteration: asiph Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-seef') Short Definition: ingathering. ... ingathering. ...
/hebrew/614.htm - 6k

The Feast of Ingathering in the End of the Year
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE FEAST OF INGATHERING IN THE END OF THE YEAR. 'And ... year.
This festival of ingathering was the Feast of Tabernacles. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the feast of ingathering in.htm

According to the Working of Each Several Part
... to live and labour for the increase of the body, the ingathering of all who ... For the
great work the Head is doing in gathering in from throughout the world and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xvi according to the working.htm

A Revival Sermon
... several ver pleasant things. 1. In the first place, we notice a promise
of surprising ingathering. According to he metaphor here ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a revival sermon.htm

The Work of Grace a Unit.
... However, while the Triune God anticipates from before the foundation of the world
the ingathering and glorification of the saints, Scripture clearly reveals ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii the work of grace.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... in the cycle of the Christian year, [3989] just because it points forward to that
great, yet unfulfilled hope of the Church: the ingathering of Earth's nations ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

How Moses when He had Brought the People Out of Egypt Led
... And very earnest they were in gathering it; but they were enjoined to gather it
equally [3]"the measure of an omer for each one every day, because this food ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how moses when.htm

The Holy Ghost --The Great Teacher
... As a good Presbyterian brother said to me the other day: "I know God has blessed
you exceedingly in gathering in souls, but it is an extraordinary fact that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the holy ghostthe great teacher.htm

The Consecration of Joy
... but as 'sabbaths,' or, as the Revised Version gives it better, 'a solemn rest.'
Observe, also, that these verses connect the feast with the ingathering of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the consecration of joy.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... THE DECALOGUE: I--MAN AND GOD. THE DECALOGUE: II.--MAN AND MAN. THE FEAST OF
INGATHERING IN THE END OF THE YEAR. 'THE LOVE OF THINE ESPOUSALS'. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/

The Old Faiths and the New
... turned to the Gentiles. The Gentiles gladly heard him and there was a great
ingathering into the church. Paul's sole purpose was ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study viii the old faiths.htm

Ingathering (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INGATHERING, FEASTS OF. in'-gath-er-ing. See FEASTS
AND FASTS; BOOTH. Multi-Version Concordance Ingathering (4 Occurrences). ...
/i/ingathering.htm - 8k

In-gathering (3 Occurrences)
In-gathering. Ingathering, In-gathering. Ingatherings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Ingathering, In-gathering. Ingatherings . Reference Bible.
/i/in-gathering.htm - 7k

Tabernacles (43 Occurrences)
... The third of the great annual festivals of the Jews (Leviticus 23:33-43). It is
also called the "feast of ingathering" (Exodus 23:16; Deuteronomy 16:13). ...
/t/tabernacles.htm - 21k

Basket (40 Occurrences)
... recognized trade among the Hebrews. (2.) That used (Hebrews salsilloth')
ingathering grapes (Jeremiah 6:9). (3.) That in which ...
/b/basket.htm - 27k

Gathering (71 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:29 But he said, No; lest ingathering the darnel ye should root up ... labors,
which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is ...
/g/gathering.htm - 28k

First-fruits (45 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labors, which thou
sowest in the field: and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year ...
/f/first-fruits.htm - 27k

Firstfruits (37 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labors, which thou
hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of ...
/f/firstfruits.htm - 24k

Vat (7 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:13 The feast of booths thou dost make for thee seven days, in thine
in-gathering of thy threshing-floor, and of thy wine-vat; (YLT NAS). ...
/v/vat.htm - 9k

Outgoing (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 and the Feast of Harvest, the first fruits of thy works which thou
sowest in the field; and the Feast of the In-Gathering, in the outgoing of the ...
/o/outgoing.htm - 10k

Labours (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:16 and the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labours which thou
hast sown in the field, and the feast of in-gathering, at the end of the year ...
/l/labours.htm - 12k

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