of uncertain affinity; a festival:--feast, holyday.
Transliteration:heortḗ
Pronunciation:heh-or-tay'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun *heortḗ* (`{{G1859}}`) fundamentally signifies a "festival" or "feast." Its base definition indicates an occasion of celebration, often with religious or communal significance, marked by specific observances and gatherings. While its etymological affinity is noted as "uncertain," its meaning is firmly established through its consistent usage in ancient Greek literature and, critically, in the Septuagint (LXX) and the New Testament. In the LXX, *heortḗ* frequently serves as the translation for several key Hebrew terms, notably `{{H2282}}` (*chag*), which refers to a pilgrim feast requiring ascent to Jerusalem, and `{{H4150}}` (*mo'ed*), denoting an appointed time, assembly, or set festival. This broad semantic range encompasses not only the specific day or days of a celebration but also the entire period and associated activities of the festival. It points to a divinely ordained calendar of events, emphasizing commemoration, worship, and communal identity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
*Heortḗ* appears 63 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels and Acts, with a few occurrences in Paul's epistles. The vast majority of these references pertain to the major Jewish feasts, which served as pivotal backdrops for the events of Jesus' life and ministry:
* **Passover (Πάσχα):** This is the most frequently mentioned feast in conjunction with *heortḗ*, often linked with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is central to the narrative of Jesus' final week, with references such as [[Matthew 26:2]], [[Mark 14:2]], [[Luke 22:1]], [[John 2:13]], [[John 6:4]], [[John 11:55]], [[John 12:20]], and [[John 13:1]]. The Last Supper, Jesus' betrayal, and His crucifixion all occur during this momentous festival, highlighting His identity as the Passover Lamb.
* **Feast of Tabernacles/Booths (Σκηνοπηγία):** Referenced in [[John 7:2]], [[John 7:8]], [[John 7:10]], [[John 7:11]], [[John 7:14]], and [[John 7:37]]. Jesus' significant teachings on living water and light occur within the context of this feast, which celebrated God's provision and presence.
* **Feast of Dedication/Hanukkah (Ἐγκαίνια):** Mentioned in [[John 10:22]], this feast, though post-Mosaic, provided another occasion for Jesus to teach in Jerusalem.
* **Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή):** While *heortḗ* is not explicitly used for Pentecost, the event in [[Acts 2:1]] describes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurring "when the day of Pentecost was fully come," implying its nature as a major festival gathering.
The contexts reveal several recurring themes:
* **Pilgrimage and Assembly:** The feasts necessitated large gatherings and pilgrimages to Jerusalem from across the Jewish world ([[John 7:10]], [[Acts 18:21]]), creating opportunities for public ministry.
* **Religious Observance:** They were times of prescribed rituals, sacrifices, and communal worship ([[John 7:14]]), deeply embedded in the religious life of Israel.
* **Divine Timing:** The unfolding of God's redemptive plan often coincided with these appointed times, most notably Jesus' crucifixion at Passover and the Spirit's descent at Pentecost.
* **Conflict and Opportunity:** The crowds gathered for the feasts provided both a receptive audience for Jesus' teaching and a volatile environment where Jewish authorities sought to apprehend Him ([[Matthew 26:5]], [[John 7:12]]).
Paul's usage of *heortḗ* in [[Colossians 2:16]] and [[1 Corinthians 5:8]] shifts the focus from literal observance to theological implications, distinguishing Christian liberty from adherence to Old Covenant ceremonial laws and reinterpreting the Passover feast metaphorically for Christian life.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of *heortḗ* is enriched by its connections to several related terms and concepts:
* **`{{H2282}}` (*chag*) and `{{H4150}}` (*mo'ed*):** These Hebrew terms, frequently translated by *heortḗ* in the LXX, establish the deep Old Testament roots of the concept, emphasizing pilgrim feasts and divinely appointed times of assembly.
* **`{{G3953}}` (*pascha*):** "Passover," the specific feast, often used in conjunction with *heortḗ* (e.g., "the feast of the Passover").
* **`{{G4622}}` (*skēnē*):** "tent" or "tabernacle," directly related to the Feast of Tabernacles, highlighting the historical and symbolic elements of the feasts.
* **Worship and Commemoration:** The very essence of *heortḗ* is tied to corporate worship, the remembrance of God's mighty acts (e.g., the Exodus at Passover), and the anticipation of future blessings.
* **Covenant:** The annual cycle of feasts served as a powerful reminder and renewal of God's covenant relationship with Israel, reinforcing their identity and obligations.
* **Typology and Fulfillment:** Many Old Testament feasts are understood typologically, serving as "shadows" that pointed forward to the "substance" found in Christ and the realities of the New Covenant ([[Colossians 2:17]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *heortḗ* is profound, moving from Old Covenant observance to New Covenant fulfillment:
* **Divine Institution and Order:** The feasts were not human inventions but divinely commanded times for Israel to remember and celebrate God's redemptive acts. They underscored God's sovereign ordering of time and history, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people.
* **Identity and Remembrance:** By requiring annual participation, the feasts continually reinforced Israel's identity as God's chosen people, ensuring the collective memory of His saving interventions (e.g., the Exodus at Passover, the harvest at Pentecost).
* **Prophetic Foreshadowing and Christological Fulfillment:** Crucially, the feasts contained rich prophetic elements that found their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb whose sacrifice inaugurates the new exodus ([[John 1:29]], [[1 Corinthians 5:7]]). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ([[Acts 2:1-4]]) fulfilled the harvest festival, signifying the ingathering of souls into the new covenant community. Jesus' teachings during the Feast of Tabernacles (e.g., "living water" and "light of the world") revealed Him as the ultimate reality to which the feast pointed.
* **Context for Revelation:** The large gatherings during the feasts provided a unique stage for Jesus' public ministry, allowing Him to declare the Kingdom of God and reveal His identity to a broad audience, often leading to both belief and intense opposition.
* **Transition from Shadow to Reality:** For the early Church, particularly as articulated by Paul in [[Colossians 2:16-17]], the physical observance of these Old Covenant "shadows" is no longer mandatory for believers in Christ. The "substance" has come in Christ, and the Christian "feast" is now a spiritual reality—a continual celebration of Christ's sacrifice, resurrection, and the new life found in Him ([[1 Corinthians 5:8]]).
* **Eschatological Hope:** The imagery of feasts extends into eschatology, culminating in the "marriage supper of the Lamb" ([[Revelation 19:9]]), an ultimate festival signifying eternal fellowship and rejoicing in God's completed salvation.
### Summary
The Greek word *heortḗ* (`{{G1859}}`) denotes a "festival" or "feast," primarily referring to the divinely instituted religious celebrations of ancient Israel. Its frequent occurrences in the New Testament highlight its critical role as the backdrop for Jesus' ministry, particularly the Passover, Tabernacles, and Dedication feasts. Theologically, these festivals underscore God's sovereign ordering of time for the purpose of commemorating His redemptive acts, shaping Israel's identity, and, most significantly, foreshadowing the person and work of Jesus Christ. With the advent of Christ, the Old Covenant *heortḗ* transitions from a "shadow" to a fulfilled "substance" in Him, leading to the Christian life being understood as a spiritual feast, a continual celebration of Christ's finished work and the anticipation of the ultimate eschatological banquet. Thus, *heortḗ* encapsulates the progression from temporal, ceremonial observance to eternal, spiritual reality in the redemptive plan of God.
TRV