King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:14 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:14 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 16:14 · KJV

Context

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

14

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.

15

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.

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:

Read Deuteronomy 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast—Again the command to joy (vesamachta, וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֖), now specifically 'in your feast' (בְּחַגֶּ֑ךָ). Sukkot was Israel's happiest celebration, called 'the Feast' (he-chag) 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-drawing has never seen rejoicing in his life,' describing Sukkot's exuberant worship.

The inclusivity list repeats nearly verbatim from verse 11: thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow. This repetition emphasizes God's concern for comprehensive inclusion, especially of the vulnerable. The phrase 'within thy gates' (בִּשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ) means residing in your towns—even those not traveling to Jerusalem must share the feast. Biblical joy is communal and inclusive, anticipating the messianic banquet where all God's people feast together (Isaiah 25:6-8, Revelation 19:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sukkot's seven-day celebration (plus an eighth-day assembly, Leviticus 23:36) contrasted sharply with ancient Near Eastern harvest festivals, which often involved drunken revelry and fertility cult prostitution. Israel's joy was disciplined, God-centered, and socially inclusive. The feast's egalitarian nature—wealthy and poor, free and servant, native and foreigner celebrating together—reflected covenant equality before God. This radical social vision distinguished Israel from surrounding hierarchical cultures where religious festivals reinforced class divisions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's command to include the marginalized in celebratory worship challenge modern church practices regarding the poor and outsiders?
  2. What does repeated emphasis on joy in God's presence teach about the nature of authentic worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְשָֽׂמַחְתָּ֖1 of 13

“And thou shalt rejoice”

H8055

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

בְּחַגֶּ֑ךָ2 of 13

“in thy feast”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

אַתָּ֨ה3 of 13
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבִנְךָ֤4 of 13

“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

וּבִתֶּ֙ךָ֙5 of 13

“and thy daughter”

H1323

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

וְעַבְדְּךָ֣6 of 13

“and thy manservant”

H5650

a servant

וַֽאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ7 of 13

“and thy maidservant”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וְהַלֵּוִ֗י8 of 13

“and the Levite”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וְהַגֵּ֛ר9 of 13

“the stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

וְהַיָּת֥וֹם10 of 13

“and the fatherless”

H3490

a bereaved person

וְהָֽאַלְמָנָ֖ה11 of 13

“and the widow”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 13
H834

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

בִּשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ׃13 of 13

“that are within thy gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

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 16:14 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 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 8:9-12Deuteronomy 16:11Isaiah 30:29Ecclesiastes 9:7Isaiah 35:10Deuteronomy 26:11

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