Why was the Feast of Tabernacles so significant for the returned exiles, and why hadn't it been celebrated properly before?

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was profoundly significant for the returned exiles for several reasons. Spiritually, it was a direct divine command from the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 23:33-43), and its proper observance signified a return to covenant faithfulness after generations of neglect and exile. Theologically, it commemorated God's miraculous provision and protection during Israel's forty years of wandering in the wilderness, reminding them of their complete dependence on Him, a powerful message for a people who had just experienced the desolation of exile and the arduous task of rebuilding. Culturally, it was a joyous harvest festival, celebrating God's bounty, which was particularly meaningful for a community striving to re-establish itself in the land. The text in Nehemiah 8:17 explicitly states that "since the days of Joshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so." This indicates that while elements of the feast might have been observed, a full, comprehensive, and widespread celebration in accordance with the Law had been neglected for centuries. This neglect was likely due to a combination of factors: the spiritual decline and apostasy that led to the Babylonian exile, the loss or inaccessibility of the full text of the Law, and the general disarray and spiritual apathy that often followed periods of national trauma and displacement. Ezra's public reading and explanation of the Law thus served as a rediscovery and re-education, prompting a revival of practices that had been long forgotten or improperly observed.

8:15 8:15

Nehemiah 8:16

8:17 8:17

Bible Versions

So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.

So the people {H5971} went forth {H3318}, and brought {H935} them, and made {H6213} themselves booths {H5521}, every one {H376} upon the roof of his house {H1406}, and in their courts {H2691}, and in the courts {H2691} of the house {H1004} of God {H430}, and in the street {H7339} of the water {H4325} gate {H8179}, and in the street {H7339} of the gate {H8179} of Ephraim {H669}.

So the people went out, brought them and made sukkot for themselves, each one on the roof of his house, also in their courtyards, in the courtyards of the house of God, in the open space by the Water Gate and in the open space by the Efrayim Gate.

And the people went out, brought back branches, and made booths on their own rooftops, in their courtyards, in the court of the house of God, and in the squares by the Water Gate and by the Gate of Ephraim.

So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.

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.

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Cross-References

2 Kings 14:13

And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
Nehemiah 12:39

And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
Nehemiah 12:37

And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.
Nehemiah 3:26

Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto [the place] over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
Jeremiah 32:29

And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.
Nehemiah 8:3

And he read therein before the street that [was] before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people [were attentive] unto the book of the law.
2 Chronicles 33:5

And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

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