Leviticus 23
DOYLY
b Numb. 29. 12. John 7. 27.
Chap. XXIV. ver. 2. Command the children of Israel.] As the daily service of the tabernacle was to be provided for at the cost of all the Israelites, the command is here addressed to them all generally. They are now reminded of what had been before enjoined at Exod. xxvii. 20, &c.
Leviticus 23:34
- — the feast of tabernacles] This feast was so called from their being commanded to dwell in tabernacles or booths, during the celebration of it, ver. 42; also called “the feast of ingathering,” Exod. xxiii. 16, because, at this season, the whole harvest, not only of the corn, but also of the vintage and other fruits, for which they were to express their thankfulness to God at this feast, was completed. It is expressly stated that the seven days, ver. 42, 43, were in commemoration of their dwelling in tents in the wilderness for forty years: the eighth day was not so properly a part of the feast of tabernacles, as another distinct feast which followed immediately after, according to the account in Nehem. viii. 18: this eighth day therefore was properly the feast of ingathering, on which they were to give thanks for their whole harvest, Deut. xvi. 13—16. It has been variously conjectured, why the commemoration of their dwelling in tents was fixed for this season of the year. Some have supposed that the season was selected, because the people could dwell in tents with least inconvenience: others, that this was the time when Moses came down a second time from the mount, after the sin of the golden calf. The learned Jos. Mede’s opinion seems to be the most probable, as well as the most ingenious, namely, that this feast was affixed to the time of year when Christ was to be born, and the dwelling in tabernacles was intended as a type of His incarnation, as St. John intimates, John i.
14, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt,” or tabernacled, “among us.” Dr. Jennings.
Leviticus 23:40
- — boughs of goodly trees,] It is evident from Nehem. viii. 15, that they cut these branches to make booths or tents, and not to carry in their hands, though it is probable that, in aftertimes, the carrying branches in their hands might be thought a fit expression of rejoicing. The Hebrew word for “boughs” signifies also “fruit,” as is noted in the margin: whence some interpret “boughs of fruitbearing trees,” or boughs with their fruit. They were also to be boughs of “thick trees, that is, of thick leaved trees;” trees whose boughs and leaves grew thick together. Bp. Patrick.
— and ye shall rejoice &c.] It was not intended that we should pass our religious festivals in sullen retirement, shunning human converse, or affecting each other with melancholy. The Jews were bidden to “rejoice” in their feasts “before the Lord their God,” Deut. xii. 12, 18; xvi. 11; xxvii. 7. Christians are bidden to “rejoice in the Lord alway,” Phil. iv. 4. And a very ancient father, Tertullian, informs us, that on a Sunday, for so he calls it, they gave way peculiarly to religious joy; as well they might, since He who “died for our sins, then rose for our justification.” Indeed, would we but practise Christianity as we ought, we should find its promises of pardon and strength, its beneficial precepts, and glorious prospects, the assurance of God’s love to us, and the exertion of our own love to Him and our fellow-creatures, matter of the highest joy,
Divers laws and ordinances. Before CHRIST 1490. cause to accréd.