King James Version

What Does Leviticus 23:39 Mean?

Leviticus 23:39 in the King James Version says “Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast un...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.”

Leviticus 23:39 · KJV

Context

37

These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:

38

Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.

39

Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

40

And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. boughs of goodly trees: Heb. fruit of, etc

41

And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

Read Leviticus 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

This verse falls within the section on Appointed Feasts. God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings.


The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?
  2. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  3. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אַ֡ךְ1 of 22
H389

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

בַּֽחֲמִשָּׁה֩2 of 22

“Also in the fifteenth”

H2568

five

עָשָׂ֨ר3 of 22
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

וּבַיּ֥וֹם4 of 22

“day”

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

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ5 of 22

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י6 of 22

“of the seventh”

H7637

seventh

בְּאָסְפְּכֶם֙7 of 22

“when ye have gathered”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

אֶת8 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

תְּבוּאַ֣ת9 of 22

“in the fruit”

H8393

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ10 of 22

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תָּחֹ֥גּוּ11 of 22

“ye shall keep”

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

אֶת12 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חַג13 of 22

“a feast”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

יְהוָ֖ה14 of 22

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

שִׁבְעַ֣ת15 of 22

“seven”

H7651

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

וּבַיּ֥וֹם16 of 22

“day”

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

וּבַיּ֥וֹם17 of 22

“day”

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

הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙18 of 22

“on the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

שַׁבָּתֽוֹן׃19 of 22

“shall be a sabbath”

H7677

a sabbatism or special holiday

וּבַיּ֥וֹם20 of 22

“day”

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

הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י21 of 22

“and on the eighth”

H8066

eight

שַׁבָּתֽוֹן׃22 of 22

“shall be a sabbath”

H7677

a sabbatism or special holiday

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Leviticus 23:39 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 Leviticus 23:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 23:16Deuteronomy 16:13Leviticus 23:34Leviticus 23:36Leviticus 23:24

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