Deuteronomy 16 Footnotes

16:3,8 The contradiction relative to the number of days on which unleavened bread must be eaten (“seven” and “six” respectively) is only apparent. Clearly v. 8 refers to the six days leading up to the solemn assembly on the seventh, when leavened bread also could not be eaten. This equals the seven days of v. 3.

16:16 The absence of reference to females does not mean they were disqualified from attending the festivals; it only indicates that they were not required to do so. In the patriarchal era of the OT, headship of the family was vested in the father. On festive occasions and other major community assemblies, fathers and other adult males represented their families (vv. 11,14).

16:22 The prohibition against setting up sacred stone pillars has to be understood in its context. Here these objects are associated with the rituals of pagan worship (v. 21). The pentateuchal narrative includes instances when such monuments were erected as memorials and even as elements in Israel’s worship of the Lord (Gn 28:18; 31:13,45; Ex 24:4). As with many apparent contradictions or discrepancies in Scripture, this one ceases to be such when its context is taken into consideration.