Deuteronomy 16:11

KJV

And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that [is] within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that [are] among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt rejoice {H8055} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, thou, and thy son {H1121}, and thy daughter {H1323}, and thy manservant {H5650}, and thy maidservant {H519}, and the Levite {H3881} that is within thy gates {H8179}, and the stranger {H1616}, and the fatherless {H3490}, and the widow {H490}, that are among {H7130} you, in the place {H4725} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath chosen {H977} to place {H7931} his name {H8034} there.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are to rejoice in the presence of ADONAI your God - you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, the L'vi'im living in your towns, and the foreigners, orphans and widows living among you - in the place where ADONAI your God will choose to have his name live.

Berean Standard Bible

and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 16:11 encapsulates a profound command for the Israelite community to engage in joyful and radically inclusive worship during the annual Feast of Weeks (Shavuot). It portrays a vibrant scene of communal celebration, where every member of society—from the household to the most vulnerable—gathers before the LORD at the divinely appointed central sanctuary. This verse underscores God's desire for His people to express gratitude for His provision not merely as a ritualistic duty, but as an overflowing, shared delight in His presence and blessings, fostering unity and social justice within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 16:11 is situated within Moses' final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter, [Deuteronomy 16](/deuteronomy/16 "Deuteronomy 16 - The Annual Festivals"), outlines the regulations for the three major annual pilgrimage festivals: the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover, [Deuteronomy 16:1-8](/deuteronomy/16-1 "Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - Feast of Unleavened Bread")), the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot, [Deuteronomy 16:9-12](/deuteronomy/16-9 "Deuteronomy 16:9-12 - Feast of Weeks")), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot, [Deuteronomy 16:13-17](/deuteronomy/16-13 "Deuteronomy 16:13-17 - Feast of Tabernacles")). Each festival served to commemorate a significant aspect of God's redemptive work and provision for Israel. Verse 11 specifically details the communal participation and spirit of the Feast of Weeks, which celebrated the firstfruits of the wheat harvest and, by tradition, the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The preceding verses emphasize the agricultural timing and the offering of a freewill offering, while the subsequent verse (Deuteronomy 16:12) reminds them of their past slavery in Egypt, grounding their joy in God's deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Deuteronomy were given to a generation poised to transition from nomadic wilderness life to settled agricultural existence in Canaan. The agricultural calendar was intrinsically linked to their religious life, with festivals marking key harvest periods. The Feast of Weeks, occurring seven weeks after the barley harvest (Passover), celebrated the wheat harvest, a crucial staple. Culturally, communal feasting was a primary expression of gratitude and covenant loyalty in the ancient Near East, but Israel's feasts were uniquely directed "before the LORD." The command to include "the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow" reflects a profound social ethic, distinguishing Israel from surrounding nations. These groups were particularly vulnerable in an agrarian society without land or familial support, and their inclusion underscored God's compassion and the covenant community's responsibility to care for them. The phrase "the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there" refers to a future central sanctuary, which would eventually be Jerusalem, emphasizing the theological importance of centralized worship for national unity and purity of worship, preventing localized idolatry.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader Mosaic covenant. Firstly, **Joyful Worship** is paramount; the command to "rejoice" highlights that worship is not merely a solemn obligation but a glad, heartfelt response to God's goodness and presence. This joy is rooted in God's provision and deliverance, contrasting with the forced labor of their Egyptian past. Secondly, **Radical Inclusivity and Social Justice** are vividly portrayed through the explicit listing of diverse participants. God's covenant extends beyond the immediate family unit to encompass servants, Levites (who had no land inheritance), and the most marginalized members of society—the resident alien, the orphan, and the widow. This mandate for comprehensive care and shared celebration is a hallmark of Deuteronomic law, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 10:18-19](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18-19 - God's Love for the Sojourner, Fatherless, and Widow"). Lastly, **Centralized Community Worship** is reinforced by the instruction to gather "in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen." This concept, foundational to Israel's national identity and covenant fidelity, ensures a unified expression of faith and prevents the proliferation of unauthorized altars or idolatrous practices, as further elaborated in [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - The Chosen Place for Worship").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejoice (Hebrew, _śāmēaḥ'_):** This verb (שָׂמֵחַ) conveys a deep, abiding sense of gladness, cheerfulness, and delight. It is not merely a superficial happiness but an overflowing joy that stems from a right relationship with God and an appreciation for His blessings. In the context of worship, it implies a celebratory, uninhibited expression of gratitude and pleasure in God's presence, often manifested in feasting, singing, and communal festivity. This joy is a commanded response, indicating that it is both an emotional state and an act of obedience.
* **Stranger (Hebrew, _ger'_):** The term (גֵּר) refers to a resident alien or sojourner, a non-Israelite who had settled within the borders of Israel. Unlike a temporary visitor, the *ger* often lived permanently in the community but typically lacked land inheritance or full tribal affiliation. Their explicit inclusion in the celebration underscores God's expansive concern for all within His people's midst and the expectation that Israel would extend hospitality, justice, and care to those who were vulnerable and outside their immediate kinship structures.
* **Place his name there (Hebrew, _śîm šem šām'_):** This phrase (לָשׂוּם אֶת־שְׁמוֹ שָׁם) signifies God's presence and authority. It does not mean God's entire being is contained in one place, but rather that He chooses to manifest His presence, receive worship, and reveal His character and will at a specific, designated location. This "placing of His name" makes the sanctuary a focal point for covenant interaction, where His glory is revealed and His people can approach Him. It implies divine election and consecration, making the location holy and central to Israel's national and spiritual life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God":** This is the central command, setting the tone for the festival. "Before the LORD" implies a direct, personal encounter with God in His presence at the central sanctuary, not merely a private feeling but a communal expression of joy and gratitude directed towards Him as the source of all blessings. It emphasizes that worship is meant to be a delightful experience, a celebration of God's goodness.
* **"thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant":** This clause enumerates the immediate household, highlighting that the celebration is a family affair. It includes not just the freeborn Israelite but also their servants, demonstrating that the blessings and obligations of the covenant extended to all who resided within the household, regardless of social status. This fosters unity and shared experience within the domestic unit.
* **"and the Levite that [is] within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that [are] among you":** This expands the scope of inclusion to the broader community, specifically identifying the most vulnerable and dependent members. The Levites, without tribal land, relied on the offerings of the people. The stranger, fatherless, and widow represent those without traditional familial or economic support structures. Their explicit mention underscores God's deep concern for social justice and the covenant community's responsibility to ensure that no one is marginalized from the joy and provision of the festivals.
* **"in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there":** This specifies the location of the celebration: the central sanctuary. This divinely chosen place, where God's "name" (His presence, character, and authority) resides, serves as the unifying spiritual center for all Israel. It ensures a common, pure worship experience, preventing idolatry and fostering national solidarity under the one true God.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 16:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Enumeration** is prominently used through the extensive list of participants ("thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite... and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow"). This detailed listing emphasizes the **Radical Inclusivity** commanded by God, ensuring that no segment of society is overlooked in the communal celebration. The repetition of "and thy" (an example of **Polysyndeton**) further highlights the comprehensive nature of this inclusion. The phrase "rejoice before the LORD thy God" uses **Anthropomorphism** by speaking of God as having a "before" where one can stand, signifying His active presence. The reference to "the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there" is a form of **Theonymic Reference** or **Metonymy**, where "His name" stands for His very presence, authority, and character. This phrase, repeated throughout Deuteronomy, serves as a **Leitwort** (a guiding word or phrase) that unifies the theme of centralized worship. The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast** by juxtaposing the joy of the festival with the past hardship of slavery in Egypt (referenced in the broader context of Deuteronomy 16), making the commanded rejoicing a testament to God's deliverance and provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 16:11 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God, worship, and community. It reveals a God who desires not merely ritualistic obedience but heartfelt, joyful engagement from His people. This divine command for rejoicing underscores that true worship is an expression of delight in God's character and His lavish provision, transforming duty into celebration. Furthermore, the verse powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to social justice and the well-being of the vulnerable. By explicitly mandating the inclusion of the Levite, stranger, fatherless, and widow, God establishes a foundational principle of radical hospitality and communal responsibility, demonstrating that His covenant community is to be a reflection of His own compassionate nature. The centralized worship at "the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen" emphasizes the unity of God's people and the singular focus of their devotion, ensuring that their collective identity is rooted in Him alone.

* [Psalm 100:2](/psalms/100-2 "Psalm 100:2 - Serve the LORD with Gladness")
* [Leviticus 23:22](/leviticus/23-22 "Leviticus 23:22 - Provision for the Poor and Sojourner")
* [Nehemiah 8:9-12](/nehemiah/8-9 "Nehemiah 8:9-12 - Joy in the Law and Sharing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 16:11 provides a timeless blueprint for vibrant, authentic faith communities. It challenges us to examine the nature of our worship: Is it genuinely joyful, overflowing with gratitude for God's blessings, or merely a solemn obligation? This verse reminds us that true worship encompasses both heartfelt adoration and active participation in the life of the community. More profoundly, it compels us to cultivate radical inclusivity within our churches and ministries. Just as ancient Israel was commanded to welcome the marginalized into their most sacred celebrations, so too are believers today called to actively seek out, value, and integrate those who might be overlooked or on the fringes of society. This means intentionally creating spaces where all are welcomed, heard, and celebrated, reflecting God's own expansive love and justice. Our shared joy in Christ should lead us to share our resources and our lives with one another, especially with those in need, embodying the spirit of communal care and mutual delight that characterized the Deuteronomic vision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the command to "rejoice before the LORD" challenge your current understanding or practice of worship?**
* **In what practical ways can your local faith community become more radically inclusive, actively welcoming and valuing those who might feel marginalized?**
* **How can the principle of sharing joy and resources with the vulnerable, as seen in this verse, be applied to your personal life and stewardship?**
* **What does it mean for your church or family to be a "place" where God's "name" is truly placed and honored through joyful, inclusive worship?**

### FAQ
**Why is "rejoicing" so important in this command for the Feast of Weeks?**

Answer: The emphasis on "rejoicing" (Hebrew: *śāmēaḥ*) is crucial because it transforms worship from a mere ritualistic duty into a heartfelt, celebratory response to God's goodness. For the Israelites, the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) was a harvest festival, celebrating the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. Their joy was a direct expression of gratitude for God's provision and faithfulness in sustaining them. Furthermore, tradition links this festival to the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, implying that obedience to God's commands should also be a source of joy, not a burden. This commanded joy was a vital aspect of their covenant relationship, demonstrating their delight in God's presence and blessings, and contrasting with the oppression they experienced in Egypt (see [Deuteronomy 16:12](/deuteronomy/16-12 "Deuteronomy 16:12 - Remember Your Slavery in Egypt")).

**Who are the "stranger, fatherless, and widow" and why are they specifically mentioned?**

Answer: These three groups—the *ger* (resident alien or stranger), the orphan (fatherless), and the widow—represent the most vulnerable and often marginalized members of ancient Israelite society. They typically lacked the traditional support structures of land inheritance, family protection, or a male head of household, making them economically and socially dependent. Their explicit mention underscores God's profound concern for social justice and the well-being of all within the community. By commanding their inclusion in the joyful celebration, God ensures that His people reflect His own compassionate character, extending hospitality and care beyond the immediate family or tribe. This mandate is a recurring theme in Deuteronomy, emphasizing that Israel's covenant with God necessitated a just and merciful society (e.g., [Deuteronomy 24:19-22](/deuteronomy/24-19 "Deuteronomy 24:19-22 - Rights of the Poor and Sojourner")).

**What is the significance of the "place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there"?**

Answer: This phrase refers to the central sanctuary, which would eventually be established in Jerusalem (e.g., [1 Kings 8:29](/1_kings/8-29 "1 Kings 8:29 - Solomon's Prayer at the Temple Dedication")). Its significance is multi-faceted. Firstly, it ensured the unity of worship for the entire nation, preventing the proliferation of unauthorized altars and the potential for idolatry. Secondly, "to place his name there" signifies God's special presence and authority at that location; it was where He chose to manifest His glory and receive the worship of His people. This centralized worship reinforced Israel's unique identity as God's covenant people, gathered around His revealed presence. It served as a tangible reminder of God's dwelling among them and His desire for a unified, pure devotion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 16:11, with its emphasis on joyful, inclusive, and centralized worship, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The commanded joy of the Old Testament festivals foreshadows the profound and enduring joy found in salvation through Christ, who is our ultimate provision and deliverance. No longer are believers bound to specific agricultural cycles or a single physical sanctuary; instead, the joy of the Lord is the strength of His people ([Nehemiah 8:10](/nehemiah/8-10 "Nehemiah 8:10 - The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength")), a joy that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit")). The radical inclusivity mandated for Israel, reaching out to the stranger, fatherless, and widow, is perfectly embodied in Christ's ministry. He consistently welcomed the marginalized, the outcast, and the sinner, breaking down social and religious barriers ([Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Welcomes Sinners")). Through His atoning work, Christ has abolished the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity united in Him ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Furthermore, the "place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there" finds its ultimate reality in Christ Himself. He is the true Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), and through Him, believers become living stones in a spiritual house, a new temple where God's Spirit dwells ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, is directly fulfilled in the New Testament with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost"), uniting diverse peoples from every nation into the one body of Christ, celebrating the harvest of souls and the giving of the Spirit, the new law written on hearts. Thus, in Christ, all are invited to participate in an eternal, joyful, and inclusive worship, centered on Him as the Head of the Church.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 12:7

And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

Deuteronomy 12:12

And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that [is] within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.

Deuteronomy 12:18

But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that [is] within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

Isaiah 66:10

Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

Isaiah 66:14

And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.

Romans 5:11

And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Deuteronomy 16:14

And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that [are] within thy gates.