King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:11 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidser... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 16:11 · KJV


Context

9

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.

10

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

11

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.

12

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

13

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God—The Hebrew vesamachta (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.

The inclusivity is striking: thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite...and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow. Seven groups encompass the entire covenant community—family (son/daughter), household workers (servants), clergy (Levites), and the vulnerable triad (stranger/orphan/widow). God commands egalitarian feast participation, erasing social hierarchy. The repeated 'and' (וְ) in Hebrew emphasizes each group's equal inclusion. This reflects God's concern for marginalized persons and anticipates the gospel's barrier-breaking inclusivity (Galatians 3:28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This describes the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost), seven weeks after Passover, celebrating the wheat harvest. Celebrated in late spring (May/June), it required pilgrimage to Jerusalem (after settlement). The feast lasted one day (contrast Tabernacles' seven days). Jews later associated Shavuot with Sinai's covenant (Exodus 19), though Deuteronomy emphasizes harvest thanksgiving. New Testament Pentecost (Acts 2) occurred during this feast, when the Spirit created the new covenant community with radical inclusivity matching this command.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's command to include the vulnerable in feast celebrations challenge economic inequality and social stratification?
  2. What does mandated joy 'before the LORD' teach about worship being simultaneously duty and delight?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְשָֽׂמַחְתָּ֞1 of 25

And thou shalt rejoice

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

לִפְנֵ֣י׀2 of 25

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 25

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ4 of 25

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אַתָּ֨ה5 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבִנְךָ֣6 of 25

thou and thy son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבִתֶּךָ֮7 of 25

and thy daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְעַבְדְּךָ֣8 of 25

and thy manservant

H5650

a servant

וַֽאֲמָתֶךָ֒9 of 25

and thy maidservant

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וְהַלֵּוִי֙10 of 25

and the Levite

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ12 of 25

that is within thy gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וְהַגֵּ֛ר13 of 25

and the stranger

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

וְהַיָּת֥וֹם14 of 25

and the fatherless

H3490

a bereaved person

וְהָֽאַלְמָנָ֖ה15 of 25

and the widow

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ17 of 25

that are among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

בַּמָּק֗וֹם18 of 25

you in the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר19 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִבְחַר֙20 of 25

hath chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

יְהוָ֣ה21 of 25

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ22 of 25

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן23 of 25

to place

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

שְׁמ֖וֹ24 of 25

his name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָֽׁם׃25 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 16:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 16:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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