Deuteronomy 16:16

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Three {H7969} times {H6471} in a year {H8141} shall all thy males {H2138} appear {H7200} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} in the place {H4725} which he shall choose {H977}; in the feast {H2282} of unleavened bread {H4682}, and in the feast {H2282} of weeks {H7620}, and in the feast {H2282} of tabernacles {H5521}: and they shall not appear {H7200} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} empty {H7387}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Three times a year all your men are to appear in the presence of ADONAI your God in the place which he will choose - at the festival of matzah, at the festival of Shavu'ot and at the festival of Sukkot. They are not to show up before ADONAI empty-handed,

Berean Standard Bible

Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed.

American Standard Version

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 16:16 is a pivotal Mosaic injunction, commanding all Israelite males to undertake an annual pilgrimage to the central sanctuary for three designated festivals: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. This decree underscores the communal and mandatory nature of worship, emphasizing that these appearances before the LORD must not be empty-handed, but accompanied by offerings that reflect gratitude and acknowledge divine provision. It serves as a foundational text for Israel's liturgical calendar and their covenant relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Moses' final discourses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before their entry into the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," reiterates, expands upon, and applies the covenant stipulations given at Mount Sinai, preparing the people for life in Canaan. Chapter 16 specifically details the regulations for Israel's annual festivals, which are central to their national and religious identity. The preceding verses in the chapter focus on the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, while the subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the Feast of Tabernacles and general principles for righteous living and justice, culminating in the appointment of judges and officers in [Deuteronomy 16:18](/deuteronomy/16-18 "Deuteronomy 16:18 - Appointment of Judges"). The emphasis throughout the chapter is on communal worship, remembrance of God's deliverance, and the establishment of a centralized place of worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command in Deuteronomy 16:16 reflects the transition of Israel from a nomadic people to a settled agricultural society in Canaan. The three specified feasts are intrinsically linked to the agricultural cycles of the land (barley harvest, wheat harvest, fruit harvest), integrating their spiritual life with their daily sustenance. The mandate to appear "in the place which he shall choose" anticipates the future establishment of a central sanctuary, which would eventually be Jerusalem, as noted in [2 Chronicles 6:6](/2_chronicles/6-6 "2 Chronicles 6:6 - God's Chosen Place for His Name"). This centralization was crucial for national unity and preventing syncretism with pagan practices prevalent in Canaan. The requirement for all males to attend underscored patriarchal societal structures, but the feasts themselves were family-oriented, involving the entire household in celebration and worship, even if only the males were strictly mandated for the pilgrimage. The act of bringing offerings was a common practice in the Ancient Near East, but for Israel, it was uniquely tied to their covenant with Yahweh, signifying dependence and gratitude rather than appeasement of capricious deities.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 16:16 encapsulates several core themes prevalent in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. First, it highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Obedience**, as the pilgrimage is a direct command from God, designed to maintain the relationship between God and His people. Second, it emphasizes **Centralized Worship**, with "the place which he shall choose" signifying God's sovereign choice for His dwelling and the importance of a unified national worship. This theme is crucial for preventing idolatry and maintaining theological purity. Third, the verse underscores **Remembrance and Gratitude**, as each feast commemorates a specific aspect of God's redemptive work or provision—deliverance from Egypt, the giving of the Law, and wilderness provision and harvest blessing. The command "they shall not appear before the LORD empty" reinforces the theme of **Generosity and Acknowledgment of Divine Provision**, teaching that worship involves a tangible expression of thanks for God's blessings, as also seen in [Exodus 23:15](/exodus/23-15 "Exodus 23:15 - Feast of Unleavened Bread and Offerings"). Finally, the mandatory nature of the pilgrimage reinforces **Communal Identity and Unity**, fostering a shared experience of worship and strengthening the bonds within the Israelite nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Appear (Hebrew, _ra'ah_):** While literally meaning "to see," in this context, the Niphal stem (passive voice) "to be seen" or "to appear" carries a deeper theological nuance. It implies presenting oneself before a superior, specifically the divine. It's not merely about physical presence but a conscious, reverent presentation of oneself in the presence of God, acknowledging His authority and sovereignty. This word is also used in [Exodus 23:17](/exodus/23-17 "Exodus 23:17 - Appearance Before the Lord") with the same implication.
* **Choose (Hebrew, _bachar_):** This verb signifies a deliberate, sovereign selection. When applied to God, it highlights His prerogative in designating a specific place for His name to dwell and for His people to worship. This "chosen place" (ultimately Jerusalem) would become the focal point of Israel's national and religious life, emphasizing God's initiative in establishing the parameters of worship and His unique relationship with His people.
* **Empty (Hebrew, _reqam_):** This adverb means "empty-handed," "without anything," or "without a gift." It stresses the expectation that worshippers would bring an offering, a material expression of their devotion, gratitude, and acknowledgment of God's blessing. To appear "empty" would signify a lack of appreciation for God's provision or a failure to recognize His ownership of all things.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God":** This clause establishes the frequency and mandatory nature of the pilgrimage for all adult Israelite males. It underscores the importance of regular, corporate worship as a central tenet of the covenant relationship. The "LORD thy God" emphasizes the personal and covenantal relationship between Yahweh and Israel.
* **"in the place which he shall choose":** This phrase points to the future, divinely designated central sanctuary (Jerusalem/Temple). It signifies God's sovereign initiative in establishing the proper locus for national worship, ensuring unity and preventing localized, potentially idolatrous, practices.
* **"in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles":** These are the three great pilgrimage festivals, strategically timed with Israel's agricultural calendar and commemorating key moments in their redemptive history: Passover/Unleavened Bread (deliverance from Egypt), Weeks/Pentecost (harvest and giving of the Law), and Tabernacles/Booths (wilderness wandering, harvest, and God's provision).
* **"and they shall not appear before the LORD empty":** This final clause is a crucial ethical and theological injunction. It mandates that worshippers bring an offering, proportionate to their means and God's blessing, as a tangible expression of gratitude, dependence, and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over all provision. It highlights that true worship involves both presence and presentation.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 16:16 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as the command for the three annual pilgrimages is reiterated from earlier Mosaic laws (e.g., [Exodus 23:14-17](/exodus/23-14 "Exodus 23:14-17 - The Three Annual Feasts")). This repetition serves to emphasize the enduring importance and non-negotiable nature of these observances for the new generation entering Canaan. The phrase "the place which he shall choose" functions as a **Euphemism** or **Circumlocution**, subtly referring to the future central sanctuary (Jerusalem) without explicitly naming it, thus maintaining a sense of divine mystery and sovereign timing. The structure of the verse, listing the three distinct feasts, is an example of **Enumeration**, providing a clear and comprehensive list of the required pilgrimage times. Finally, the concluding phrase, "they shall not appear before the LORD empty," serves as a powerful **Proverbial Statement** or **Aphorism**, encapsulating a profound theological principle about the nature of worship and giving in a concise, memorable form.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 16:16 profoundly shapes Israel's understanding of worship, community, and God's sovereignty. It establishes a rhythm of national remembrance and gratitude, tying their spiritual life directly to God's redemptive acts and His ongoing provision. The mandate to gather at a chosen place reinforces the concept of a unified people under one God, preventing the fragmentation of worship and the adoption of pagan practices. The requirement to bring offerings underscores that worship is not merely passive attendance but an active, tangible expression of devotion, acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all blessings. This principle of giving, proportionate to blessing, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing that our response to God's grace should always be one of grateful generosity.

* [Exodus 23:14-17](/exodus/23-14 "Exodus 23:14-17 - The Three Annual Feasts Commanded")
* [Leviticus 23:1-44](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Lord's Appointed Feasts")
* [Nehemiah 8:13-18](/nehemiah/8-13 "Nehemiah 8:13-18 - Celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific pilgrimage requirements of Deuteronomy 16:16 are part of the Old Covenant and not directly binding on New Testament believers, the timeless principles embedded within this command remain profoundly relevant for our faith and practice today. We are called to regular, intentional worship, gathering corporately to remember God's faithfulness, celebrate His redemptive acts, and acknowledge His ongoing provision in our lives. Just as the Israelites brought offerings as a tangible expression of their gratitude, so too are we called to worship God not "empty-handed," but with our whole selves—our time, talents, and treasures—as a response to His immeasurable grace. This means cultivating a heart of generosity, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God, and offering it back to Him in joyful thanksgiving. Our worship, whether individual or communal, should be a conscious presentation of ourselves before the LORD, marked by reverence, gratitude, and a desire to honor Him with our very best.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of "not appearing empty" challenge my understanding of worship and giving today?**
* **In what ways can I intentionally "appear before the LORD" with a heart of gratitude and generosity in my daily life?**
* **How do I, as a believer, participate in the "remembrance" of God's redemptive acts, similar to how the Israelites remembered through their feasts?**
* **What does it mean for me to seek out and gather in "the place which [God] shall choose" for worship in the contemporary context?**

### FAQ

**What were the three annual feasts mentioned in Deuteronomy 16:16, and what did they commemorate?**

Answer: The three annual pilgrimage feasts were the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
* **The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Pesach/Passover):** Occurring in early spring, this seven-day festival immediately followed Passover. It commemorated Israel's hasty exodus from Egypt, where they had no time for bread to rise, symbolizing the purity required of a people delivered by God. It reminded them of God's swift and powerful deliverance from bondage, as detailed in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover").
* **The Feast of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost):** Celebrated fifty days after Passover, this feast marked the wheat harvest. Traditionally, it also commemorated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, signifying God's provision of both physical sustenance and spiritual guidance. Its instructions can be found in [Leviticus 23:15-21](/leviticus/23-15 "Leviticus 23:15-21 - Feast of Weeks").
* **The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot/Booths):** An autumn festival, this feast commemorated Israel's forty years of wandering in the wilderness, living in temporary shelters, and God's faithful provision during that time. It was also a harvest festival, a time of great rejoicing and thanksgiving for the year's bounty, as described in [Leviticus 23:33-43](/leviticus/23-33 "Leviticus 23:33-43 - Feast of Tabernacles").

**Why was it mandatory for all males to appear, and what did "not appear empty" mean?**

Answer: The mandate for "all thy males" to appear at the central sanctuary underscored the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society and the communal responsibility for national worship. While only males were strictly commanded for the pilgrimage, the feasts were family affairs, and entire households often journeyed together. The phrase "not appear before the LORD empty" meant that worshippers were expected to bring an offering, a tangible gift or sacrifice, proportionate to their means and the blessings God had bestowed upon them. This was an act of gratitude, acknowledging God's sovereignty as the source of all provision and demonstrating their devotion and obedience to His covenant commands, a principle also seen in [Exodus 34:20](/exodus/34-20 "Exodus 34:20 - Offerings to the Lord"). It was a physical and spiritual expression that worship involved more than just presence; it required a heart of generosity and thanksgiving.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 16:16, with its emphasis on pilgrimage, feasts, and offerings, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The "place which He shall choose" for worship is no longer a physical temple in Jerusalem, but rather the very person of Jesus, who declared Himself to be greater than the temple ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something Greater Than the Temple")). Through His sacrifice, the veil of the temple was torn ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), signifying direct access to God for all who believe, not just a select few or at a specific location. The three pilgrimage feasts, rich in symbolism, are fulfilled in Christ: the Feast of Unleavened Bread points to Christ, our Passover Lamb, whose sinless body was broken for us, delivering us from the bondage of sin ([1 Corinthians 5:7-8](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7-8 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")). The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) is dramatically fulfilled in the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, empowering the church and inaugurating the new covenant era ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Coming of the Holy Spirit")), marking the spiritual harvest of souls. The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating God's dwelling with His people, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who "tabernacled" among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and ultimately in the eternal dwelling of God with humanity in the New Jerusalem ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")). Furthermore, the command "they shall not appear before the LORD empty" is transformed from a requirement of material offerings to a call for spiritual worship and the offering of our very lives as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), offered in gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who gave Himself as the perfect, once-for-all offering for our sins ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). Thus, in Christ, the shadows of the Old Covenant give way to the glorious reality of God's presence and provision, accessed not through annual pilgrimages but through faith in the Lamb of God.

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

Psalms 96:8

Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Proverbs 3:9

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3:10

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Haggai 1:9

Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

Exodus 23:14

Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.

Exodus 23:17

Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

Matthew 2:11

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.