About Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy contains Moses' final addresses to Israel, restating the Law and calling the new generation to covenant faithfulness.

Author: MosesWritten: c. 1406 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 22
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King James Version

Deuteronomy 16

22 verses with commentary

The Passover

Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.</strong> The Passover memorial commanded perpetual remembrance of exodus deliverance. Israel must continually recall God's redemptive act that constituted them as His covenant people.<br><br>The <em>month of Abib</em> (later called Nisa...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

**XVI.** Deuteronomy 16:1-8. **THE PASSOVER**. (See on Exodus 12) (1) **The month Abib** was so called from the “ears of corn” which appeared in it. **By night**.—Pharaoh’s permission was given on the night of the death of the first-born, though Israel did not actually depart until the next day (Numbers 33:3-4). (2) **Of the flock, and of the herd.**—The Passover victim itself must be either lamb ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
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Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.</strong> Passover required blood sacrifice, foreshadowing that redemption necessitates substitutionary death. The lamb dies so the firstborn lives - this is the gospel in type.<br><br>Specification of <em>the flock and the herd</em>...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction.</strong> The prohibition of leaven during Passover carried rich symbolic meaning. Leaven represented sin, corruption, and the old Egyptian way of life that Israel was leaving behind.<br><br>Paul applies this symbolically - Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For in haste didst thou come forth out of the land of Egypt: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.</strong> The hasty exodus emphasized urgency of deliverance - Israel fled rather than departing leisurely. This urgency must inform their perpetual memory of redemption.<br><br>God commands <em>remember...all the days of th...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: sacrifice: or, kill

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days.</strong> The comprehensive removal of leaven required thorough searching of all Israelite territory. This total purging symbolized complete separation from sin and corruption.<br><br>The phrase <em>no leavened bread seen with thee</em> indicates not private tolerance of leaven but public, visible commitment to...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.</strong> The Passover lamb must be completely consumed or burned before morning - no portion could remain. This ensured the sacrifice served its full purpose on the night of deliverance without corruption.<br><br>Prohibiting leftovers prevented the sacred sacrifice...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee.</strong> Centralized worship at the sanctuary prevented local, unauthorized Passover observances. God designated one location for the sacred feast, preventing proliferation of heterodox practices.<br><br>The phrase <em>within any of thy gates</em> refers to local towns and cities throughout ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein. solemn: Heb. restraint

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.</strong> Triple emphasis specifies the exact location (where God chooses), timing (evening/sunset), and season (anniversary of exodus). This precision demonstrates God's concern for prope...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

The Feast of Weeks

Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.</strong> The roasting method (not boiling) preserved Passover's original form from the exodus night. Consistency in observance maintained connection across generations to the foundational deliverance event.<br><br>Eating <em>in the place which the LOR...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

Deuteronomy 16:9-12. **THE FEAST OF WEEKS, OR PENTECOST.** See also Exodus 23:16; Exodus 34:18-23; Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28:26-31. The feast itself is ordained in Exodus; the *time *is given in Leviticus; and the *sacrifices *in Numbers. (9) **From such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.**—The word for sickle only occurs here and in Deuteronomy 23:25. In Leviticus the week...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: a tribute: or, sufficiency

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.</strong> The weeklong unleavened bread observance reinforced Passover's message through extended participation. Six days of continued unleavened eating impressed the lesson of separation from Egypt and commitment to holiness.<br><br>The <em>seventh...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God</strong>—The Hebrew <em>vesamachta</em> (וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֞) commands joy, making gladness a worship obligation, not optional sentiment. The phrase 'before the LORD' (לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֣ה) indicates the Jerusalem sanctuary, where God's presence dwelt. Feast joy happens in God's presence, not private celebration.<br><br>The inclusivity is striking: <str...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt</strong>—The Hebrew <em>vezacharta</em> (וְזָכַרְתָּ֗) commands active remembrance, not passive recollection. Israel's slavery experience (עֶבֶד הָיִ֖יתָ, <em>eved hayita</em>, 'you were a slave') must shape present ethics. This motive clause grounds inclusive feast hospitality in experiential solidarity: 'You know the heart of a st...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

The Feast of Tabernacles

Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: corn: Heb. floor, and thy winepress

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days</strong>—The Hebrew <em>chag ha-sukkot</em> (חַ֧ג הַסֻּכֹּ֛ת, 'Feast of Booths/Tabernacles') commemorated wilderness wandering when Israel lived in temporary shelters. The seven-day duration (longest of Israel's feasts) reflects creation's pattern and covenant completeness. The verb <em>ta'aseh</em> (תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה, 'you shall observe/do')...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

Deuteronomy 16:13-15. **THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.** (13) **Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days.**—For details of the observance see the passages already referred to in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, but more especially Leviticus 23:33-43. (14) **Thou, and thy son . . .**—The rejoicing of the Feast of Tabernacles was proverbial among the Jews. On the persons who are to share the ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast</strong>—Again the command to joy (<em>vesamachta</em>, וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֖), now specifically 'in your feast' (בְּחַגֶּ֑ךָ). Sukkot was Israel's happiest celebration, called 'the Feast' (<em>he-chag</em>) par excellence. Joy accompanies harvest abundance and remembers God's faithfulness. The Mishnah later noted, 'He who has not seen the rejoicing at the water...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
Read full commentary →

Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God</strong>—The Hebrew <em>tachog</em> (תָּחֹ֣ג, 'you shall feast') comes from <em>chagag</em>, meaning to make a pilgrimage feast, to celebrate. The phrase 'unto the LORD' (לַיהוָ֣ה) specifies that Sukkot's joy honors God, not mere harvest success. The seven days signify completeness, reflecting creation's pattern and covenant w...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 10 De 10:1-22. God's Mercy in Restoring the Two Tables. **1. At that time the Lord said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first--**It was when God had been pacified through the intercessions of Moses with the people who had so greatly offended Him by the worship of the golden calf. The obedient leader executed the orders he had received as to the preparation both of the ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
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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:

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KJV Study Commentary

Pilgrimage requirement: '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.' The three pilgrimage feasts—Passover/Unleavened Bread (spring), Pentecost/Weeks (early summer), Tabernacles/Booths (fall)—...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **Three times in a year.**—So Exodus 23:17. And in Exodus 34:23-24 a promise is added that their land should be safe in their absence.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
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Every man shall give as he is able , according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. as: Heb. according to the gift of his hand

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee</strong>—This principle governs feast offerings after describing the three pilgrimage feasts (Passover/Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Tabernacles). The Hebrew <em>ish kematnat yado</em> (אִ֖ישׁ כְּמַתְּנַ֣ת יָד֑וֹ, 'each man according to the gift of his hand') means proportional giving base...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**3. And I made an ark of shittim wood--**It appears, however, from Ex 37:1, that the ark was not framed till his return from the mount, or most probably, he gave instructions to Bezaleel, the artist employed on the work, before he ascended the mount--that, on his descent, it might be finished, and ready to receive the precious deposit.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 16 Chapter Outline The yearly feasts.(1-17) Of judges, Groves and images forbidden.(18-22) **Verses 1-17** The laws for the three yearly feasts are here repeated; that of the Passover, that of the Pentecost, that of Tabernacles; and the general law concerning the people's attendance. Never should a believer forget his low estate of guilt and misery, his deliverance, and t...
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Judges and Justice

Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates</strong>—This verse transitions from worship (vv. 1-17) to justice (16:18-18:22), linking liturgy with law. The Hebrew <em>shofetim veshotrim</em> (שֹׁפְטִ֣ים וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֗ים, 'judges and officers') distinguishes judicial officials (who decide cases) from executive officers (who enforce decisions). 'In all thy gates' (בְכָל־שְׁעָרֶ֔יך...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18) **Judges and officers.**—A fresh section of the book, as read in the synagogues, begins with these words. The land is now considered as the *seat of the Kingdom of Jehovah, *to the end of ch. 18. See Introduction for a complete analysis, and comp. Joshua 23:2, which shows that these magistrates were already appointed.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-5. he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing--**that is, not Moses, who under the divine direction acted as amanuensis, but God Himself who made this inscription a second time with His own hand, to testify the importance He attached to the ten commandments. Different from other stone monuments of antiquity, which were made to stand upright and in the open air, those on which the d...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 18-22** Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spiri...
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Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. words: or, matters

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.</strong><br><br>This foundational principle of biblical justice contains three distinct prohibitions that protect the integrity of judgment. The Hebrew verb <em>natah</em> ("wrest") means to bend, turn aside, or distort, sug...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) See Exodus 23:6; Exodus 23:8.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**4-5. he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing--**that is, not Moses, who under the divine direction acted as amanuensis, but God Himself who made this inscription a second time with His own hand, to testify the importance He attached to the ten commandments. Different from other stone monuments of antiquity, which were made to stand upright and in the open air, those on which the d...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 18-22** Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spiri...
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That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. That which: Heb. Justice, justice

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>That which is altogether just shalt thou follow</strong> (צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף, <em>tsedeq tsedeq tirdof</em>)—The Hebrew doubling intensifies: 'Justice, justice you shall pursue!' This emphatic repetition demands relentless commitment to <em>tsedeq</em> (righteousness, justice). The verb <strong>follow</strong> (רָדַף, <em>radaf</em>, 'pursue, chase, persecute') implies aggressive pursui...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6-9. the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera--**So sudden a change from a spoken discourse to a historical narrative has greatly puzzled the most eminent biblical scholars, some of whom reject the parenthesis as a manifest interpolation. But it is found in the most ancient Hebrew manuscripts, and, believing that all contained in this book was gi...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 18-22** Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spiri...
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Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee</strong>—The <em>asherah</em> (אֲשֵׁרָה, sacred pole or tree) was a Canaanite goddess symbol, often wooden posts near Baal altars. Planting trees (especially evergreens) near YHWH's altar syncretized pagan worship with true worship—mixing light with darkness.<br><br>Paul echoe...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(21) **Thou shalt not plant thee a grove.**—Heb., *ashêrah, *sometimes used of images, but here evidently of the grove itself. The worship of Jehovah allowed of no secret rites; and nothing that could lead to the abominations of heathen idolatry could be permitted near Jehovah’s altar.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6-9. the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera--**So sudden a change from a spoken discourse to a historical narrative has greatly puzzled the most eminent biblical scholars, some of whom reject the parenthesis as a manifest interpolation. But it is found in the most ancient Hebrew manuscripts, and, believing that all contained in this book was gi...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 18-22** Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spiri...
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Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth. image: or, statue, or, pillar

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth</strong>—The <em>matstsevah</em> (מַצֵּבָה, 'standing stone, pillar') served as Canaanite memorial or cultic object. Even though Jacob erected memorial stones (Genesis 28:18, 35:14), God now forbids them in worship contexts—what served as testimony to God's appearance becomes idolatrous when venerated itself.<br><br>Th...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(22) **Image.**—Explained by Rashi of a single stone, whether statue or pillar. **Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. **Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6-9. the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera--**So sudden a change from a spoken discourse to a historical narrative has greatly puzzled the most eminent biblical scholars, some of whom reject the parenthesis as a manifest interpolation. But it is found in the most ancient Hebrew manuscripts, and, believing that all contained in this book was gi...
Read full commentary →

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 18-22** Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spiri...
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