Deuteronomy16

Deuteronomy 16 outlines the observance of three annual feasts: Passover and Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing their proper celebration at the Lord's chosen place with rejoicing and offerings. It also commands the appointment of just judges and officers, prohibiting bribery and partiality. Finally, the chapter forbids idolatrous practices like planting groves or setting up images near God's altar.
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The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread

1
Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto Jehovah thy God; for in the month of Abib Jehovah thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. ​
2
And thou shalt sacrifice the passover unto Jehovah thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which Jehovah shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there. ​
3
Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life. ​
4
And there shall be no leaven seen with thee in all thy borders seven days; neither shall any of the flesh, which thou sacrificest the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
5
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee;
6
but at the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt. ​
7
And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents. ​
8
Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread; and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to Jehovah thy God; thou shalt do no work therein.

The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)

9
Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: from the time thou beginnest to put the sickle to the standing grain shalt thou begin to number seven weeks. ​
10
And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto Jehovah thy God with a tribute of a freewill-offering of thy hand, which thou shalt give, according as Jehovah thy God blesseth thee: ​
11
and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are in the midst of thee, in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there. ​
12
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes. ​

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

13
Thou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress: ​
14
and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
15
Seven days shalt thou keep a feast unto Jehovah thy God in the place which Jehovah shall choose; because Jehovah thy God will bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the work of thy hands, and thou shalt be altogether joyful. ​

Mandatory Annual Pilgrimages

16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Jehovah 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 Jehovah empty: ​
17
every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of Jehovah thy God which he hath given thee. ​

Establishing Justice and Authority

18
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. ​
19
Thou shalt not wrest justice: thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a bribe; for a bribe doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. ​
20
That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee. ​

Prohibition of Idolatry

21
Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of Jehovah thy God, which thou shalt make thee. ​
22
Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar; which Jehovah thy God hateth. ​

Study Notes for Deuteronomy 16

Verse 1

Observance of the Passover (Pesach) is tied directly to the historical memory of the Exodus, which occurred in haste. Abib (later called Nisan) is the first month of the religious calendar.

Verse 2

The command to sacrifice the Passover 'in the place which the LORD shall choose' reinforces the Deuteronomic principle of centralizing worship, preventing unauthorized local shrines.

Verse 3

Unleavened bread (matzah) is called the 'bread of affliction' because it symbolizes the speed of the departure from Egypt and the suffering endured there, emphasizing continuous remembrance.

Verse 6

The ritual timing—'at the going down of the sun'—marks the transition into the 15th day of Abib, ensuring accurate observance of the moment of departure.

Verse 7

The instruction to return to their tents the next morning indicates that while the sacrifice must be central, the people did not need to reside permanently at the chosen sanctuary during the entire feast.

Verse 9

This festival, known as the Feast of Harvest or Weeks (Pentecost in Greek), marks the conclusion of the spring grain harvest, occurring seven weeks after the beginning of the barley harvest.

Verse 10

The offering is a 'freewill offering' proportional to God's blessing, linking agricultural success directly to required gratitude and generosity towards the Lord.

Verse 11

The emphasis on including the socially vulnerable (Levite, stranger, fatherless, widow) underscores the theological principle that communal rejoicing must be radically inclusive.

Verse 12

The remembrance of slavery in Egypt serves as the ethical foundation for observing these statutes, ensuring that Israel treats others justly and celebrates inclusively.

Verse 13

This final major festival celebrates the autumn harvest (gathering corn and wine) and commemorates Israel’s dwelling in temporary shelters during the wilderness wanderings.

Verse 15

The command to 'surely rejoice' is repeated, emphasizing joy as a required element of worship, based on the assurance of God’s blessing upon their labors.

Verse 16

This verse summarizes the law of mandatory pilgrimage, requiring all adult males to appear at the central sanctuary three times a year, symbolizing national unity and allegiance.

Verse 17

The instruction that they 'shall not appear before the LORD empty' establishes the principle of proportional giving; offerings must reflect the relative blessing the individual has received.

Verse 18

The transition here moves from religious observance to civil structure. The appointment of judges and officers (shoterim) in every city ensures local application of divine law.

Verse 19

The prohibition against perverting justice, respecting persons (favoritism), or taking bribes is foundational to the covenant society, protecting the vulnerable from corruption.

Verse 20

The pursuit of absolute justice ('that which is altogether just') is tied directly to the continued inheritance and life in the land, illustrating the theological connection between morality and national destiny.

Verse 21

This law strictly forbids planting sacred poles (Asherah poles, often associated with Canaanite fertility cults) near the altar of Yahweh, demanding purity in worship space.

Verse 22

The prohibition against setting up a sacred pillar (matzevah) or standing stone—even if intended for Yahweh—aims to prevent the adoption of foreign religious practices associated with idol worship.

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