Leviticus 23:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, [that] it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work [therein: it shall be] a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

Complete Jewish Bible:

On the same day, you are to call a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work; this is a permanent regulation through all your generations, no matter where you live

Berean Standard Bible:

On that same day you are to proclaim a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This is to be a permanent statute wherever you live for the generations to come.

American Standard Version:

And ye shall make proclamation on the selfsame day; there shall be a holy convocation unto you; ye shall do no servile work: it is a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And ye shall proclaim^{H7121} on the selfsame^{H6106} day^{H3117}, that it may be an holy^{H6944} convocation^{H4744} unto you: ye shall do^{H6213} no servile^{H5656} work^{H4399} therein: it shall be a statute^{H2708} for ever^{H5769} in all your dwellings^{H4186} throughout your generations^{H1755}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 23:21

Leviticus 23:21 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that outlines the various feasts and holy convocations for the Israelites. The verse specifically refers to the instructions for observing the Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot or Pentecost, which occurs seven weeks after the Passover.

**Themes:**
1. **Holy Convocation:** The verse emphasizes the sacred assembly of the community on this day, highlighting the importance of collective worship and celebration in Israelite religious life.
2. **Rest from Labor:** It reiterates the command to refrain from ordinary work, distinguishing the day as one set apart for divine worship and rest, reflecting the Sabbath principle.
3. **Perpetual Observance:** The phrase "a statute for ever" underscores the enduring nature of this commandment, meant to be observed by all future generations of Israelites.
4. **Community and Continuity:** The instruction to keep this day holy in "all your dwellings" suggests that the feast is to be observed wherever the Israelites live, reinforcing the idea of a shared identity and religious practice that transcends geographic boundaries.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time of Writing:** Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and would have been written during the time of the Exodus, approximately the 13th century BCE, as part of the instructions given to the Israelites shortly after their liberation from Egypt.
- **Agricultural Significance:** The Feast of Weeks coincided with the wheat harvest in ancient Israel, marking a time of thanksgiving for the agricultural bounty and a celebration of the first fruits of the harvest.
- **Covenantal Renewal:** Later Jewish tradition associated Shavuot with the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, reinforcing the idea of covenantal relationship and commitment between God and Israel.
- **Ceremonial Law:** The verse is part of the ceremonial law given to Israel, which included detailed instructions for worship and religious observance, setting the Israelites apart from their neighbors and establishing a unique national identity centered on their relationship with God.

In summary, Leviticus 23:21 is a directive within the broader context of Israel's festal calendar, emphasizing the sanctity of the Feast of Weeks through communal gathering, cessation of work, and permanent adherence to this statute across generations and locales. It reflects the religious, agricultural, and social rhythms of ancient Israelite society, as well as their covenantal relationship with God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6106
   There are 108 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶצֶם
   Transliteration: ʻetsem
   Pronunciation: eh'tsem
   Description: from עָצַם; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame; body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6944
   There are 382 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֹדֶשׁ
   Transliteration: qôdesh
   Pronunciation: ko'-desh
   Description: from קָדַשׁ; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4744
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְרָא
   Transliteration: miqrâʼ
   Pronunciation: mik-raw'
   Description: from קָרָא; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal; assembly, calling, convocation, reading.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5656
   There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲבֹדָה
   Transliteration: ʻăbôdâh
   Pronunciation: ab-o-daw'
   Description: or עֲבוֹדָה; from עָבַד; work of any kind; act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4399
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְלָאכָה
   Transliteration: mᵉlâʼkâh
   Pronunciation: mel-aw-kaw'
   Description: from the same as מֲלְאָךְ; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor); business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship).
   
9. Strong's Number: H2708
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֻקָּה
   Transliteration: chuqqâh
   Pronunciation: khook-kaw'
   Description: feminine of חֹק, and meaning substantially the same; {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)}; appointed, custom, manner, ordinance, site, statute.
   
10. Strong's Number: H5769
    There are 414 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עוֹלָם
    Transliteration: ʻôwlâm
    Pronunciation: o-lawm'
    Description: or עֹלָם; from עָלַם; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always; alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare נֶצַח, עַד.
    
11. Strong's Number: H4186
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוֹשָׁב
    Transliteration: môwshâb
    Pronunciation: mo-shawb'
    Description: or מֹשָׁב; from יָשַׁב; a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population; assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning.
    
12. Strong's Number: H1755
    There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דּוֹר
    Transliteration: dôwr
    Pronunciation: dore
    Description: or (shortened) דֹּר; from דּוּר; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling; age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity.