Deuteronomy 16

1 observa mensem novarum frugum et verni primum temporis ut facias phase Domino Deo tuo quoniam in isto mense eduxit te Dominus Deus tuus de Aegypto nocte

2 immolabisque phase Domino Deo tuo de ovibus et de bubus in loco quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus ut habitet nomen eius ibi

3 non comedes in eo panem fermentatum septem diebus comedes absque fermento adflictionis panem quoniam in pavore egressus es de Aegypto ut memineris diei egressionis tuae de Aegypto omnibus diebus vitae tuae

4 non apparebit fermentum in omnibus terminis tuis septem diebus et non manebit de carnibus eius quod immolatum est vesperi in die primo mane

5 non poteris immolare phase in qualibet urbium tuarum quas Dominus Deus tuus daturus est tibi

6 sed in loco quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus ut habitet nomen eius ibi immolabis phase vesperi ad solis occasum quando egressus es de Aegypto

7 et coques et comedes in loco quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus maneque consurgens vades in tabernacula tua

8 sex diebus comedes azyma et in die septimo quia collecta est Domini Dei tui non facies opus

9 septem ebdomadas numerabis tibi ab ea die qua falcem in segetem miseris

10 et celebrabis diem festum ebdomadarum Domino Deo tuo oblationem spontaneam manus tuae quam offeres iuxta benedictionem Domini Dei tui

11 et epulaberis coram Domino Deo tuo tu et filius tuus et filia tua et servus tuus et ancilla et Levites qui est intra portas tuas et advena ac pupillus et vidua qui morantur vobiscum in loco quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus ut habitet nomen eius ibi

12 et recordaberis quoniam servus fueris in Aegypto custodiesque ac facies quae praecepta sunt

13 sollemnitatem quoque tabernaculorum celebrabis per septem dies quando collegeris de area et torculari fruges tuas

14 et epulaberis in festivitate tua tu et filius tuus et filia et servus tuus et ancilla Levites quoque et advena et pupillus ac vidua qui intra portas tuas sunt

15 septem diebus Domino Deo tuo festa celebrabis in loco quem elegerit Dominus benedicetque tibi Dominus Deus tuus in cunctis frugibus tuis et in omni opere manuum tuarum erisque in laetitia

16 tribus vicibus per annum apparebit omne masculinum tuum in conspectu Domini Dei tui in loco quem elegerit in sollemnitate azymorum et in sollemnitate ebdomadarum et in sollemnitate tabernaculorum non apparebit ante Dominum vacuus

17 sed offeret unusquisque secundum quod habuerit iuxta benedictionem Domini Dei sui quam dederit ei

18 iudices et magistros constitues in omnibus portis tuis quas Dominus Deus tuus dederit tibi per singulas tribus tuas ut iudicent populum iusto iudicio

19 nec in alteram partem declinent non accipies personam nec munera quia munera excaecant oculos sapientium et mutant verba iustorum

20 iuste quod iustum est persequeris ut vivas et possideas terram quam Dominus Deus tuus dederit tibi

21 non plantabis lucum et omnem arborem iuxta altare Domini Dei tui

22 nec facies tibi atque constitues statuam quae odit Dominus Deus tuus

Deuteronomy 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

The yearly feasts. (1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden. (18-22)

Verses 1-17 The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and the price it cost the Redeemer; that gratitude and joy in the Lord may be mingled with sorrow for sin, and patience under the tribulations in his way to the kingdom of heaven. They must rejoice in their receivings from God, and in their returns of service and sacrifice to him; our duty must be our delight, as well as our enjoyment. If those who were under the law must rejoice before God, much more we that are under the grace of the gospel; which makes it our duty to rejoice evermore, to rejoice in the Lord always. When we rejoice in God ourselves, we should do what we can to assist others also to rejoice in him, by comforting the mourners, and supplying those who are in want. All who make God their joy, may rejoice in hope, for He is faithful that has promised.

Verses 18-22 Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spirit, present every where. Alas! even in gospel days, and under a better dispensation, established upon better promises, there is a tendency to set up idols, under one form or another, in the human heart.

Chapter Summary

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.