Deuteronomy 16:12-22

12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and thou shalt observe and do these commands.

13 Thou shalt keep for thyself the feast of tabernacles seven days, when thou gatherest in from thy corn-floor and thy wine-press.

14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow that is in thy cities.

15 Seven days shalt thou keep a feast to the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose for himself; and if the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy fruits, and in every work of thy hands, then thou shalt rejoice.

16 Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: thou shalt not appear before the Lord thy God empty.

17 Each one according to his ability, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he has given thee.

18 Thou shalt make for thyself judges and officers in thy cities, which the Lord thy God gives thee in tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment:

19 they shall not wrest judgment, nor favour persons, nor receive a gift; for gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

20 Thou shalt justly pursue justice, that ye may live, and go in and inherit the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.

21 Thou shalt not plant for thyself a grove; thou shalt not plant for thyself any tree near the altar of thy God.

22 Thou shalt not set up for thyself a pillar, which the Lord thy God hates.

Deuteronomy 16:12-22 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. your.
• [b]. make.