Deuteronomy 16:9-12

The Festival of Weeks

9 Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain.
10 Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.
11 And rejoice before the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites in your towns, and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows living among you.
12 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees.

Deuteronomy 16:9-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 16

This chapter treats of the three grand yearly festivals, of the feast of passover, when, where, and what was to be sacrificed, how to be dressed, and in what manner to be eaten, De 16:1-8, of the feast of pentecost, when to begin it, where and how it was to be observed, De 16:9-12, and of the feast of tabernacles, when, where, and how long it was to be kept, De 16:13-15, which three times in the year all the males were to appear before the Lord, and not empty, De 16:16,17, an order is given for the appointment of judges in the land, to execute judgment, De 16:18-20, and the chapter is closed with a caution against planting groves, and setting up images, De 16:21,22.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:15; Acts 2:1
  • 2. S Exodus 23:16; Numbers 28:26
  • 3. Deuteronomy 12:7
  • 4. S Exodus 20:24; S 2 Samuel 7:13
  • 5. Deuteronomy 12:12
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 14:29
  • 7. Nehemiah 8:10
  • 8. S Deuteronomy 15:15
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