Topical Encyclopedia The concept of anniversary feasts in the Bible is not explicitly outlined as a formal practice, but the Scriptures do provide instances where significant events are commemorated annually. These feasts often serve as reminders of God's faithfulness, deliverance, and covenant with His people. Below are some key anniversary feasts and commemorations found in the Bible:1. Passover (Pesach): The Passover is perhaps the most well-known anniversary feast, instituted by God to commemorate the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan. The instructions for this feast are detailed in Exodus 12:14, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD. You are to celebrate it as a permanent statute for the generations to come." The Passover involves the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread, symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt. 2. Feast of Unleavened Bread: Closely associated with Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th day of Nisan and lasts for seven days. During this time, no leavened bread is to be eaten, as a reminder of the Israelites' quick departure from Egypt. Leviticus 23:6 states, "On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread." 3. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost): Celebrated seven weeks after the Passover, this feast marks the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. It is also an agricultural festival, celebrating the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. Leviticus 23:15-16 instructs, "From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count seven full weeks. You shall count fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD." 4. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah): This feast marks the beginning of the civil new year in the Jewish calendar and is observed on the first day of the seventh month, Tishri. It is a day of rest and blowing of trumpets, as described in Leviticus 23:24, "Speak to the Israelites and say, 'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts.'" 5. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): Occurring on the 10th day of Tishri, this solemn day is dedicated to atonement and repentance. It is a day of fasting and prayer, as outlined in Leviticus 23:27, "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You are to hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD." 6. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): Celebrated from the 15th to the 21st of Tishri, this feast commemorates the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert and living in temporary shelters. It is a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the harvest. Leviticus 23:42-43 states, "You are to live in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in booths, so that your descendants may know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God." 7. Purim: Instituted during the time of Esther, Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to annihilate them. It is celebrated on the 14th and 15th days of Adar. Esther 9:28 records, "These days should be remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not fail from among the Jews, nor their memory fade from their descendants." 8. Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication): Although not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, Hanukkah is celebrated to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt. It is observed for eight days, starting on the 25th of Kislev. The New Testament references this feast in John 10:22, "At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter." These anniversary feasts serve as significant markers in the biblical narrative, each with its own historical and theological importance, reflecting God's ongoing relationship with His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 23:15,16You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread: (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it you came out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Embassy from John in Prison to Jesus --Death of John --Relations ... Christian Cemeteries. Christian Churches. The Testimony of the Lectionaries Shewn to be Absolutely Decisive ... The Testimony of the Lectionaries Shewn to be Absolutely Decisive ... Certificate Laws and Western Land Bills Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ... Resources What is the Feast of Tabernacles / Booths / Sukkot? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Feast of Weeks? | GotQuestions.org What is a love feast? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Feasts were Presided Over by a Master of Ceremonies Feasts: (Instituted by Moses) by Jesus Feasts: (Instituted by Moses) by Paul Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Aliens (Non-Jews) Were Permitted to Attend Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): All Males Were Required to Attend Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Appointed Feasts Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Attended by Women Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Designated As Solemn Feasts Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Divine Protection Given During Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): First and Last Days Were Sabbatic Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Holy Convocations Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Kept With Rejoicing Feasts: (Instituted by Moses): Set Feasts Feasts: Ancient Customs At: Men Alone Present At Feasts: Celebrations by Birthdays Feasts: Celebrations by Coronations Feasts: Celebrations by National Deliverances Feasts: Guests Arranged According to Age Feasts: Marriage Feasts Provided by the Bridegroom the Anniversary Feasts were a Time of Thankfulness the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Christ Attended the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Entertainments the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Illustrative of General Assembly of the Church the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Joy and Gladness the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Rendered Unavailing by the Impiety of the Jews the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of Sacrificing the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of The Jews Dispersed in Distant Parts often Attended the Anniversary Feasts were Seasons of The Ten Tribes Seduced by Jeroboam from Attending the Anniversary Feasts: All Males to Attend the Anniversary Feasts: Called: Appointed Feasts the Anniversary Feasts: Called: Feasts of the Lord the Anniversary Feasts: Called: Solemn Feasts the Anniversary Feasts: Called: Solemn Meetings the Anniversary Feasts: Children Commenced Attending, when Twelve Years Old the Anniversary Feasts: Enumerated the Anniversary Feasts: Females often Attended the Anniversary Feasts: Instituted by God the Anniversary Feasts: Offerings to Made At the Anniversary Feasts: The Dangers and Difficulties Encountered in Going up To, the Anniversary Feasts: The Jews Attended Gladly the Anniversary Feasts: The Jews Went up To, in Large Companies the Anniversary Feasts: The Land Divinely Protected During The Feasts of Trumpets: A Holy Convocation and Rest The Feasts of Trumpets: A Memorial of Blowing of Trumpets The Feasts of Trumpets: Held the First Day of Seventh Month The Feasts of Trumpets: Sacrifices At Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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