Exodus 23:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Three {H7969} times {H7272} thou shalt keep a feast {H2287} unto me in the year {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Three times a year, you are to observe a festival for me

Berean Standard Bible

Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 23:14 is a foundational command within the Mosaic Law, mandating that the Israelites observe three specific annual pilgrimage festivals dedicated to Yahweh. This concise directive underscores the theological imperative for God's covenant people to regularly gather for corporate worship, remembrance, and thanksgiving, thereby reinforcing their unique relationship with Him and their identity as a distinct nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), which immediately follows the Ten Commandments. This collection of laws elaborates on the ethical, social, and religious obligations stemming from Israel's covenant relationship with God, established at Mount Sinai. Specifically, Exodus 23:10-19 details various agricultural and religious statutes, including laws concerning the Sabbath year, the Sabbath day, and the three annual feasts. These regulations collectively emphasize Israel's dependence on God for their sustenance and their unwavering obligation to worship Him alone. The command to keep these feasts serves as a central pillar of Israelite religious life, intertwining their agricultural calendar with their spiritual devotion and national identity. The following verses, [Exodus 23:15-17](/exodus/23-15 "Exodus 23:15-17 - The Three Annual Feasts"), explicitly name these three festivals, providing further detail about their timing and purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, annual festivals were common, often tied to agricultural cycles and deities. However, Israel's feasts were distinct in their monotheistic focus and their commemoration of God's redemptive acts. The command for all Israelite males to appear before the Lord at a central sanctuary (later Jerusalem) for these feasts (as seen in [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Requirement to Appear Before the Lord")) fostered national unity and reinforced their shared heritage. These pilgrimage festivals—Passover/Unleavened Bread, Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles (Booths)—were intrinsically linked to the agricultural rhythm of ancient Israel, integrating their spiritual life with the rhythms of their daily existence and God's provision in creation. They served as tangible reminders of God's past deliverance from Egypt, His ongoing provision, and His promise to dwell among His people, shaping their collective memory and future hope.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **times (Hebrew, פַּעַם _pa'am'_):** This word literally means "foot-beat" or "stroke," and by extension, "occurrence" or "time." Its use here emphasizes the regularity and repetition of the commanded observances. It's not merely a suggestion but a divinely ordained, recurring obligation, highlighting the rhythmic nature of Israel's worship life. The specific number "three" underscores the importance and distinctiveness of these particular annual gatherings.
* **feast (Hebrew, חַג _chag'_):** More than just a meal, _chag_ denotes a festive gathering, a pilgrimage, or a sacred festival. It often implies a circular procession or dance, suggesting movement and communal celebration. This term emphasizes the joyful, communal, and migratory nature of these observances, distinguishing them as significant spiritual events that required journeying to a central sanctuary. It conveys a sense of joyous assembly and pilgrimage rather than a mere ritualistic observance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Three times":** This specifies the exact number of annual pilgrimage festivals required by God. The number three often carries symbolic weight in scripture, signifying completeness or divine emphasis. Here, it points to the three major agricultural seasons and the three pivotal moments in Israel's redemptive history that these feasts commemorate.
* **"thou shalt keep a feast":** This is a direct, imperative command, indicating a non-negotiable obligation for every Israelite male. The verb "keep" (חָגַג, _chagag_) is related to the noun _chag_ and means "to celebrate a feast" or "to make a pilgrimage." It implies active participation and adherence to the prescribed rituals and joyful observance.
* **"unto me in the year":** This phrase clearly establishes the divine recipient and the temporal frequency of these feasts. The worship is directed solely "unto me" (Yahweh), reinforcing the monotheistic nature of Israel's faith and the exclusive claim God has on their devotion. "In the year" defines the annual cycle of these mandated observances, integrating them into the yearly rhythm of Israelite life and agriculture.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 23:14 primarily functions as a **Command**, a direct divine imperative given by God to His people. This highlights the authoritative nature of the Mosaic Law and God's sovereignty over Israel's worship life. The verse also employs **Conciseness**, stating a profound theological and practical requirement in a remarkably brief phrase. This brevity lends weight and memorability to the instruction. Implicitly, there is **Repetition** at play, as the command for "three times" foreshadows the detailed enumeration of the specific feasts in the subsequent verses ([Exodus 23:15-17](/exodus/23-15 "Exodus 23:15-17 - The Three Annual Feasts")). This repetition emphasizes the regularity and importance of these annual convocations, embedding them deeply into the fabric of Israelite life and covenant fidelity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This command to observe three annual feasts is deeply theological, revealing God's desire for a regular, communal, and celebratory relationship with His people. It underscores themes of divine sovereignty, covenant faithfulness, and the importance of corporate worship as a means of remembering God's redemptive acts and acknowledging His provision. These feasts were not merely rituals but vital expressions of Israel's identity as God's chosen nation, fostering unity and gratitude while pointing to God's ongoing work in their midst. They served as a pedagogical tool, ensuring that each generation would recall the foundational events of their faith.

* [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Requirement to Appear Before the Lord")
* [Leviticus 23:1](/leviticus/23-1 "Leviticus 23:1 - The Feasts of the Lord")
* [Psalm 84:1](/psalms/84-1 "Psalm 84:1 - Longing for God's Courts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the ceremonial law of the Old Testament, including the specific requirements for these feasts, has been fulfilled in Christ and is no longer binding on believers (as articulated in [Galatians 3:25](/galatians/3-25 "Galatians 3:25 - The End of the Law's Guardianship") and [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")), the underlying principles of Exodus 23:14 remain profoundly relevant for the Christian life. This verse calls us to intentionally prioritize corporate worship, recognizing that gathering together as the body of Christ is not optional but essential for our spiritual health and communal identity. It reminds us to regularly remember God's faithfulness—His past deliverance, His ongoing provision, and His future promises—cultivating a heart of deep gratitude. Furthermore, it challenges us to live lives of thanksgiving, recognizing that all blessings, both spiritual and material, flow from His gracious hand, prompting us to offer our lives as living sacrifices of worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the command to "keep a feast unto me" challenge my current understanding and practice of corporate worship?**
* **In what ways do I intentionally remember God's past faithfulness and provision in my daily life?**
* **How can my participation in Christian community more fully embody the joy and unity implied by these ancient pilgrimage festivals?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more consistent posture of gratitude and thanksgiving towards God?**

### FAQ
**Why were exactly "three" feasts specified, and what was their significance?**

Answer: The specification of "three" feasts was not arbitrary but deeply significant, aligning with both the agricultural cycle of ancient Israel and key moments in their redemptive history. These three pilgrimage festivals were:
* **The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover):** Celebrated in the spring (Nisan/Abib), commemorating Israel's miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt (see [Exodus 12:14](/exodus/12-14 "Exodus 12:14 - Institution of Passover")). It emphasized purity and a swift departure from sin, symbolized by the unleavened bread.
* **The Feast of Harvest (Weeks or Pentecost):** Occurring seven weeks after Passover (Sivan), this feast celebrated the firstfruits of the wheat harvest (see [Leviticus 23:17](/leviticus/23-17 "Leviticus 23:17 - The Feast of Weeks")). It was a time of thanksgiving for God's provision and, significantly, later became the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the early church in [Acts 2:1](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1 - The Day of Pentecost").
* **The Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles or Booths):** Held in the autumn (Tishri), marking the end of the agricultural year and the ingathering of the final harvest (see [Leviticus 23:39](/leviticus/23-39 "Leviticus 23:39 - The Feast of Tabernacles")). This feast recalled Israel's forty years of wilderness wanderings and God's faithful provision during that time, with participants living in temporary shelters (booths) to remember their nomadic past. These three feasts thus encapsulated Israel's past redemption, present provision, and future hope, all centered on Yahweh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:14, with its command for three annual feasts, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament feasts were "a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")). The Feast of Passover, commemorating deliverance from bondage, is perfectly fulfilled in Christ, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice delivers us from the bondage of sin and death (as seen in [1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")). The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), celebrating the firstfruits of the harvest, foreshadows Christ's resurrection as the [firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits"), and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, inaugurating the spiritual harvest of the church ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Coming of the Holy Spirit")). Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles, recalling God's dwelling among His people in the wilderness, points to Christ, who "tabernacled" among us in His incarnation ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and ultimately to the eternal dwelling of God with humanity in the new heavens and new earth, where He will be [God with us](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Man") forever. Thus, these ancient commands, once pointing to historical and agricultural realities, now point to the person and work of Christ, in whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

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 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 34:22

And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.

Exodus 34:24

For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

Leviticus 23:16

Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

Leviticus 23:5

In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.

Exodus 23:17

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

Leviticus 23:34

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month [shall be] the feast of tabernacles [for] seven days unto the LORD.