Deuteronomy 16

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 16

1¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

2Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

3Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, [even] the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

4And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there [any thing] of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.

5Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:

6But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

7And 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.

8Six 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].

9Seven 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.

10And 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:

11And 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.

12And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

13Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:

14And 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.

15Seven 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.

16Three 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:

17Every man [shall give] as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

18¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

20That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

21Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

22Neither shalt thou set thee up [any] image; which the LORD thy God hateth.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Deuteronomy 16 outlines the observance of three annual feasts: Passover and Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing their proper celebration at the Lord's chosen place with rejoicing and offerings. It also commands the appointment of just judges and officers, prohibiting bribery and partiality. Finally, the chapter forbids idolatrous practices like planting groves or setting up images near God's altar.

Medium Summary

This chapter details the annual religious observances for Israel, beginning with the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, to be kept in the month of Abib to commemorate the hasty exodus from Egypt. It specifies the sacrifice of the Passover lamb and the consumption of unleavened bread for seven days at the Lord's chosen sanctuary. Following this, the Feast of Weeks is commanded, requiring a freewill offering proportionate to God's blessings, and communal rejoicing that includes all members of society, especially the vulnerable. The third major feast is the Feast of Tabernacles, observed for seven days after harvest, also marked by rejoicing and gratitude for God's provision. All Israelite males are required to appear before the Lord at these three feasts, bringing offerings. Furthermore, the chapter establishes the necessity of appointing righteous judges and officers throughout the land, stressing impartiality and the rejection of bribes to ensure true justice. It concludes with a strict prohibition against idolatrous practices, such as planting sacred groves or erecting images near the Lord's altar.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy chapter 16 meticulously prescribes the observance of Israel's three annual pilgrimage festivals, beginning with the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This week-long observance, starting in the month of Abib, commemorates the swift deliverance from Egyptian bondage, requiring the sacrifice of the Passover offering at the Lord's designated sanctuary and the consumption of unleavened bread, symbolizing the "bread of affliction." Strict rules are given against leaven and leaving sacrificial meat overnight, emphasizing the solemnity and haste of the original event. Following this, the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, is to be celebrated seven weeks after the beginning of the grain harvest, marked by a freewill offering given according to God's blessings. This feast mandates communal rejoicing, explicitly including sons, daughters, servants, Levites, strangers, the fatherless, and widows, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and gratitude, and serving as a reminder of their past servitude in Egypt. The third major festival is the Feast of Tabernacles, observed for seven days after the ingathering of corn and wine, a time of profound rejoicing for God's abundant provision and increase. During these three feasts—Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles—all Israelite males are commanded to appear before the Lord at the chosen place, bringing offerings commensurate with the blessings they have received. Beyond these sacred observances, the chapter transitions to civil governance, instructing the Israelites to appoint judges and officers in all their cities to administer just judgment. It sternly warns against perverting justice, showing partiality, or accepting bribes, as gifts are said to blind the wise and corrupt the righteous. The pursuit of absolute justice is presented as essential for their continued life and inheritance of the land. Finally, the chapter concludes with a clear prohibition against syncretistic or idolatrous practices, specifically forbidding the planting of Asherah poles or sacred groves near the altar of the Lord and the setting up of any graven image, which the Lord detests.

Core Concepts

  • Feast of Passover and Unleavened BreadThis annual observance in the month of Abib commemorates Israel's hasty exodus from Egypt, requiring the sacrifice of a lamb and the consumption of unleavened bread for seven days at the Lord's chosen sanctuary. It serves as a perpetual reminder of their deliverance and past affliction.
  • Feast of WeeksCelebrated seven weeks after the beginning of the grain harvest, this festival involves a freewill offering proportional to God's blessings and emphasizes communal rejoicing, including all members of society, especially the vulnerable. It reminds the people of their former bondage and God's provision.
  • Feast of TabernaclesObserved for seven days after the harvest of corn and wine, this feast is a time of profound rejoicing for God's abundant provision and increase. It signifies gratitude for the harvest and remembrance of their dwelling in booths during the wilderness wanderings.
  • Centralized WorshipThe chapter repeatedly emphasizes that the major annual feasts and sacrifices must be conducted "in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there." This highlights the importance of a single, divinely appointed sanctuary for national worship.
  • Just JudgmentA core principle established is the appointment of judges and officers who must administer justice without partiality, bribery, or perversion. This ensures societal righteousness and is presented as a condition for inheriting and living in the land.
  • Inclusivity in RejoicingThe feasts are not solely for the family unit but explicitly include servants, Levites, strangers, the fatherless, and widows in the communal rejoicing. This underscores God's command for social equity and care for the vulnerable within Israelite society.
  • Prohibition of IdolatryThe chapter concludes with a strict command against planting sacred groves or setting up any graven image near the Lord's altar. This reinforces the exclusive worship of the one true God and the rejection of pagan practices.