King James Version

What Does Leviticus 23:40 Mean?

Leviticus 23:40 in the King James Version says “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Leviticus 23:40 · KJV


Context

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.

42

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  2. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?
  3. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֨ם1 of 20

And ye shall take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָכֶ֜ם2 of 20
H0
יָמִֽים׃3 of 20

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

הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן4 of 20

you on the first

H7223

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

פְּרִ֨י5 of 20

the boughs

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

עֵץ6 of 20

trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

הָדָר֙7 of 20

of goodly

H1926

magnificence, i.e., ornament or splendor

כַּפֹּ֣ת8 of 20

branches

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

תְּמָרִ֔ים9 of 20

of palm

H8558

a palm tree

וַֽעֲנַ֥ף10 of 20

trees and the boughs

H6057

a twig (as covering the limbs)

עֵץ11 of 20

trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

עָבֹ֖ת12 of 20

of thick

H5687

intwined, i.e., dense

וְעַרְבֵי13 of 20

and willows

H6155

a willow (from the use of osiers as wattles)

נָ֑חַל14 of 20

of the brook

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

וּשְׂמַחְתֶּ֗ם15 of 20

and ye shall rejoice

H8055

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

לִפְנֵ֛י16 of 20

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

יְהוָ֥ה17 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם18 of 20

your 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

שִׁבְעַ֥ת19 of 20

seven

H7651

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

יָמִֽים׃20 of 20

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


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 23:40 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 23:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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