Leviticus 23 35

Leviticus 23:35 kjv

On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

Leviticus 23:35 nkjv

On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it.

Leviticus 23:35 niv

The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work.

Leviticus 23:35 esv

On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.

Leviticus 23:35 nlt

On the first day of the festival you must proclaim an official day for holy assembly, when you do no ordinary work.

Leviticus 23 verses

Leviticus 23 35 Meaning

Leviticus 23:35 decrees that the eighth day following the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles is to be observed as a sacred assembly, a solemn convocation, during which no ordinary laborious work is permitted. This day, known as Shemini Atzeret, serves as a concluding holy day for Israel's annual cycle of appointed festivals, marking a time of distinct rest and focus on the Lord after the primary celebration.

Leviticus 23 35 Context

Leviticus chapter 23 meticulously outlines the Lord's mo'adim—His appointed times or festivals—a sacred calendar set for Israel. These feasts served as crucial markers throughout the year, designed to teach fundamental truths about God's redemptive plan, His holiness, and His intimate relationship with His covenant people. They encompassed historical remembrance, agricultural cycles, and prophetic foresight.

Leviticus 23:35 is situated within the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which spanned seven days (Lev 23:34). Sukkot was a joyous harvest festival where Israelites lived in temporary booths to recall God's provision and protection during their forty-year wilderness journey after the exodus from Egypt. It emphasized gratitude for bounty and dependence on God's care. The specific mention of an "eighth day" in verse 35 introduces Shemini Atzeret, traditionally understood as a distinct holy day immediately following Sukkot. While intrinsically linked to the harvest celebration, it stands as a separate convocation. This shift marks a transition from the public dwelling in temporary shelters to a more focused, intimate time of sole assembly with the Lord, as if God Himself desires His people to remain with Him for one more special day of fellowship.

Leviticus 23 35 Word analysis

• On the eighth day (הַיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי, hayyōm haššəminî):

  • "eighth": In biblical numerology, the number eight frequently symbolizes new beginnings, completion beyond a full cycle (like the seven days of creation), or superabundance. Following the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, this "eighth day" points to a distinct, climactic moment. It signifies not merely an extension but a unique, solemn conclusion, often representing a transition from the temporary and earthly to a focus on what is spiritual and enduring with God.

• you shall hold (לָכֶם, lāḵem – literally "for/to you," implying "it shall be for you" or "you shall have"): This indicates a direct divine command and obligation for the Israelite community. It signifies that this sacred assembly is a provision and a requirement specifically for them, highlighting its importance in their spiritual life and corporate worship.

• a sacred assembly / an holy convocation (מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, miqrā' qōdeš):

  • "convocation" / "assembly" (מִקְרָא, miqrā'): Derived from the root qara', meaning "to call" or "to summon." This term denotes a divinely summoned gathering, emphasizing that the assembly is not a human initiative but a direct command from God. It highlights the divine prerogative in establishing times for His people to gather before Him.
  • "sacred" / "holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qōdeš): This word signifies that which is set apart, consecrated, or dedicated exclusively to God's service and presence. The assembly's purpose is not secular or mundane but solely for devotion, worship, instruction, and communion with the Divine, requiring a distinct separation from ordinary life.

• and not do (לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ, lō' ta‘ăśū – "you shall not do"): This phrase is an emphatic prohibition, underscoring the divine decree concerning the type of activity forbidden on this specific day. It's a non-negotiable aspect of the day's observance.

• any ordinary work / any servile work (כָּל־מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה, kol-məleḵet ‘ăḇōḏâ):

  • "any" (כָּל, kol): An all-encompassing quantifier, stressing the comprehensiveness of the prohibition; no aspect of this type of work is permitted.
  • "ordinary work" / "servile work" (מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה, məleḵet ‘ăḇōḏâ): Literally "work of service" or "laborious work." This refers to mundane, laborious, or occupational activities, especially those associated with earning a living or the daily grind. This prohibition is distinguished from the stricter prohibition of melakhah (creative or skilled work) on the weekly Sabbath, often implying that essential tasks like preparing food might be permissible on feast days, unlike the Sabbath. The intent is to prevent the day from being used for personal gain or everyday toil, dedicating it instead to spiritual purposes.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "a sacred assembly": This recurring phrase throughout Leviticus 23 (e.g., verses 7, 8, 21, 24, 27) consistently underscores the fundamental purpose of these divinely appointed times: to bring the entire community together for corporate worship and focused communion with God. It emphasizes that these are not mere gatherings but holy summons by the Lord Himself, requiring reverence and spiritual preparedness from the people.
  • "and not do any ordinary work": This prohibition on "servile work" is crucial for consecrating the day. It reinforces the idea that these special occasions demand a cessation from secular pursuits to fully devote time and attention to spiritual matters. This deliberate pause from one's daily labors allows for unhindered participation in the solemn assembly, communal worship, and reflection on God's commands and blessings. It serves to remind the people that their sustenance and blessings ultimately come from the Lord, not from their toil, fostering a spirit of dependence and rest in Him.

Leviticus 23 35 Bonus section

• The term Shemini Atzeret means "The Eighth [Day of] Assembly/Retention." Some traditions understand Atzeret as "retaining" or "holding back," implying God desires His people to linger in His presence a little longer, perhaps hesitant for them to depart after the intensive festival period.
• The sacrificial offerings prescribed for Shemini Atzeret in Numbers 29:36-38 are significantly reduced compared to the preceding days of Sukkot, further highlighting its unique, more focused, and distinct nature rather than merely being an extension of the primary Feast of Tabernacles.
• The theological implication of the "eighth day" can be seen as foreshadowing not just physical rest but an eschatological hope—a coming eternal rest for the people of God that transcends the earthly Sabbath, culminating in a perfect, never-ending fellowship with the Lord in the new heavens and new earth.

Leviticus 23 35 Commentary

Leviticus 23:35 institutes Shemini Atzeret, the "Eighth Day" assembly following the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. While Sukkot celebrates the harvest and God's protective provision during Israel's wilderness wanderings by living in temporary booths, the Eighth Day holds a distinct, solemn significance. It marks a transition from the outward joy of harvest and remembrance of physical shelter to a deeper, more intimate, and reflective encounter with the Lord. It is akin to a personal audience with the King after a grand public festival, where God calls His people to remain with Him for an additional, concluding day of profound communion and blessing. The mandated cessation from "ordinary work" emphasizes the day's sacredness, compelling Israel to fully consecrate their time to worship, communal gathering, and reflection on God's abiding presence, rather than mundane activities. This separation from everyday labor signifies a higher purpose and ultimate rest in God, pointing toward the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ's completed work, who offers the living water that truly satisfies on the "last day, that great day of the feast" (Jn 7:37-38).