King James Version

What Does Leviticus 23:41 Mean?

Leviticus 23:41 in the King James Version says “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: y... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Leviticus 23:41 · KJV


Context

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:

43

That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

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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. Ancient sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding the purpose behind God's laws help you obey Him from the heart rather than mere duty?
  2. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
תָּחֹ֥גּוּ1 of 14

And 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

אֹתוֹ֙2 of 14
H853

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

חַ֣ג3 of 14

it a feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

לַֽיהוָ֔ה4 of 14

unto the LORD

H3068

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

שִׁבְעַ֥ת5 of 14

seven

H7651

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

יָמִ֖ים6 of 14

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

בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה7 of 14

in the year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

חֻקַּ֤ת8 of 14

It shall be a statute

H2708

a statute

עוֹלָם֙9 of 14

for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם10 of 14

in your generations

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ11 of 14

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י12 of 14

it in the seventh

H7637

seventh

תָּחֹ֥גּוּ13 of 14

And 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

אֹתֽוֹ׃14 of 14
H853

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


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 23:41 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 23:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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