King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:9 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:9 in the King James Version says “Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sic...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 16:9 · KJV

Context

7

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.

8

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

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.

Read Deuteronomy 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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. 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.

Eating in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose required remaining at the sanctuary for the feast rather than immediately returning home. This promoted extended worship fellowship and prevented treating Passover as mere ritual to be quickly completed.

The permission to turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents indicates the feast lasted into the night but did not require prolonged stay beyond the observance itself. God's commands are reasonable, not burdensome - requiring what is necessary for proper worship without unnecessary prolongation.

This balance between required observance and permitted return home demonstrates God's wisdom - maintaining worship standards while allowing normal life to resume.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roasting the lamb whole on a spit replicated exodus night preparation when haste prevented boiling or elaborate cooking. This method became distinctly associated with Passover, distinguishing it from other sacrificial meals.

The central sanctuary provided accommodations for pilgrims during festivals. Many camped around Jerusalem during Passover week, creating large gatherings for worship and celebration.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why was maintaining consistency with original exodus observance important?
  2. How does eating at the sanctuary promote worship fellowship beyond mere ritual?
  3. What does the balance between required observance and normal life teach about God's commands?
  4. How do worship requirements demonstrate God's wisdom without being burdensome?
  5. Why is it significant that Passover observance replicated the original exodus night preparations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
שִׁבְעָ֖ה1 of 11

“Seven”

H7651

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

שָֽׁבֻעֽוֹת׃2 of 11

“weeks”

H7620

literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)

לִסְפֹּ֔ר3 of 11

“shalt thou number”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

לָ֑ךְ4 of 11
H0
תָּחֵ֣ל5 of 11

“from such time as thou beginnest”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

חֶרְמֵשׁ֙6 of 11

“to put the sickle”

H2770

a sickle (as cutting)

בַּקָּמָ֔ה7 of 11

“to the corn”

H7054

something that rises, i.e., a stalk of grain

תָּחֵ֣ל8 of 11

“from such time as thou beginnest”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

לִסְפֹּ֔ר9 of 11

“shalt thou number”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

שִׁבְעָ֖ה10 of 11

“Seven”

H7651

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

שָֽׁבֻעֽוֹת׃11 of 11

“weeks”

H7620

literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)

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 16:9 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 16:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 23:16Exodus 34:22Acts 2:12 Chronicles 8:13Leviticus 23:15-16Numbers 28:26-30

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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