King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Lord, ADONAI.
Berean Standard Bible:
Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.
American Standard Version:
Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord Jehovah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Three{H7969} times{H6471} in the year{H8141} all thy males{H2138} shall appear{H7200} before{H6440} the Lord{H113} GOD{H3068}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 16:16
- Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:
Exodus 34:23
- Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.
Deuteronomy 12:5
- ¶ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
Exodus 23:14
- Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
Luke 2:42
- And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Psalms 84:7
- They go from strength to strength, [every one of them] in Zion appeareth before God.
Deuteronomy 31:11
- When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 23:17
1. **Themes:**
- **Covenant Obligations:** Exodus 23:17 emphasizes the requirement for Israelite men to present themselves before God, highlighting the importance of fulfilling covenant duties and maintaining a relationship with the divine.
- **Religious Festivals:** The verse alludes to the three major pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel: the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). These festivals were times of worship, community celebration, and remembrance of God's provision and deliverance.
- **Community and Worship:** The command underscores the communal aspect of worship in Israelite society, where participation in these festivals was an essential part of religious identity and national cohesion.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Legislation:** This verse is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), which contains laws given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai following the exodus from Egypt. It reflects the legal and religious codes that were to govern the newly formed nation of Israel.
- **Post-Exodus Period:** The Israelites, recently liberated from slavery, are in the process of transitioning from a loose collection of tribes to a unified nation with a distinct cultural and religious identity. The command to appear before God reinforces the importance of God's central role in their lives and the rhythms of their agricultural society.
- **Ancient Near Eastern Parallels:** The practice of pilgrimage to a central sanctuary was not unique to Israel and can be seen in other ancient Near Eastern cultures. However, the Israelite festivals were distinct in their theological significance and the moral and social obligations they entailed.
In summary, Exodus 23:17 reflects the religious, social, and historical context of the Israelites as they establish their national and religious identity, bound by covenant obligations to God, which include the observance of three annual pilgrimage festivals. These gatherings served to reinforce communal bonds, remember God's acts of salvation, and reaffirm their commitment to the covenant.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7969
There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
Transliteration: shâlôwsh
Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ. - Strong's Number: H6471
There are 108 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּעַם
Transliteration: paʻam
Pronunciation: pah'-am
Description: or (feminine) פַּעֲמָה; from פָּעַם; a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow); anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). - Strong's Number: H2138
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָכוּר
Transliteration: zâkûwr
Pronunciation: zaw-koor'
Description: properly, passive participle of זָכַר, but used for זָכָר; a male (of man or animals); males, men-children. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H113
There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדוֹן
Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
Pronunciation: aw-done'
Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.