King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:15 in the King James Version says “Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LO... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 16:15 · KJV


Context

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:

17

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God—The Hebrew tachog (תָּחֹ֣ג, 'you shall feast') comes from chagag, 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 wholeness.

Because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands—The causal particle 'because' (כִּ֣י) grounds commanded joy in God's blessing. 'All thine increase' (kol-tevuatecha, כָּל־תְּב֣וּאָתְךָ֔) means all your produce, while 'works of thine hands' (ma'aseh yadecha, מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֑יךָ) encompasses all labor. God blesses both field's yield and human work—agriculture and craftsmanship alike. Therefore thou shalt surely rejoice—The emphatic construction (vehayita ach sameach, וְהָיִ֖יתָ אַ֥ךְ שָׂמֵֽחַ) literally means 'you shall be only/surely joyful.' Divine blessing demands joyful worship response.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This command assumes Israel's settled agricultural life in Canaan, contrasting with wilderness manna-dependence. The feast celebrates God's faithfulness from wilderness provision to Canaan's abundance. The repeated emphasis on joy (vv. 11, 14, 15) distinguishes Sukkot from the more solemn Day of Atonement (five days earlier). Jewish tradition labeled Sukkot 'the season of our joy' (zeman simchateinu). Nehemiah 8:13-18 records Sukkot's revival after exile, demonstrating its enduring significance in Jewish worship and identity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that both harvest and human labor are God-blessed change your perspective on work and provision?
  2. In what ways should God's material blessings produce not complacency but joyful worship and generous sharing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
שִׁבְעַ֣ת1 of 21

Seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָמִ֗ים2 of 21

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

תָּחֹג֙3 of 21

shalt thou keep a solemn feast

H2287

properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 21

because the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ5 of 21

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

בַּמָּק֖וֹם6 of 21

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)

אֲשֶׁר7 of 21
H834

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

יִבְחַ֣ר8 of 21

shall choose

H977

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

יְהוָ֣ה9 of 21

because the LORD

H3068

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

כִּ֣י10 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֞11 of 21

shall bless

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֣ה12 of 21

because the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ13 of 21

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

בְּכֹ֤ל14 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֙15 of 21

thee in all thine increase

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

וּבְכֹל֙16 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה17 of 21

and in all the works

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יָדֶ֔יךָ18 of 21

of thine hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְהָיִ֖יתָ19 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אַ֥ךְ20 of 21
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

שָׂמֵֽחַ׃21 of 21

therefore thou shalt surely rejoice

H8056

blithe or gleeful


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 16:15 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 16:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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