Leviticus 23 4

Leviticus 23:4 kjv

These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

Leviticus 23:4 nkjv

'These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.

Leviticus 23:4 niv

"?'These are the LORD's appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times:

Leviticus 23:4 esv

"These are the appointed feasts of the LORD, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them.

Leviticus 23:4 nlt

"In addition to the Sabbath, these are the LORD's appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.

Leviticus 23 verses

Leviticus 23 4 Meaning

Leviticus 23:4 serves as the foundational introduction to the detailed enumeration of the LORD's sacred festivals. It declares that the forthcoming list describes the specific annual "appointed feasts" or "fixed times of meeting" ordained by the LORD, which are designated as "holy convocations" or sacred assemblies. The verse then mandates that these divine appointments must be publicly announced and observed by the people of Israel precisely "at their appointed times," underscoring divine authority over Israel's worship calendar.

Leviticus 23 4 Context

Leviticus 23 outlines the sacred calendar of Israel, establishing the yearly cycle of appointed feasts ordained by the LORD. Verse 4 acts as the overarching heading for the ensuing detailed instructions concerning these festivals. Following the introduction of the weekly Sabbath in verse 3, this verse pivots to the annual observances.

Within the broader context of the Book of Leviticus, which emphasizes holiness, worship, and the means of approaching a holy God, these feasts were critical components of Israel's covenant relationship. They were not merely agricultural celebrations but spiritual appointments, serving as a pedagogical rhythm that constantly reminded Israel of God's redemptive acts (e.g., Exodus, provision in the wilderness) and anticipated future salvation (foreshadowing the Messiah). Culturally and historically, these divine appointments set Israel apart from surrounding pagan nations whose festivals were often chaotic, immoral, or linked to nature deities. By contrast, the Israelite feasts, designated as "holy convocations" from the LORD, demanded reverence, precise timing, and adherence to His revealed will, creating a structured calendar of worship centered entirely on Yahweh and His acts in history. This divine ordering was a direct polemic against chaotic or human-devised religious practices.

Word Analysis

• "These" (אֵ֣לֶּה, 'elleh): This demonstrative pronoun serves as an emphatic pointer, drawing immediate attention to the list of specific festivals that follow, directly connecting the introductory statement to the detailed enumerations.
• "are the appointed feasts" (מוֹעֲדֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה, mo'adey YHVH):
  • מוֹעֲדֵי (mo'adey): The plural form of mo'ed (מוֹעֵד), a highly significant term. It means an "appointed time," "fixed season," or "place of assembly/meeting." It goes beyond merely "festivals"; it signifies specific times or places divinely scheduled for God to "meet" with His people. This term is also famously used for the "Tent of Meeting." This emphasizes divine initiative and pre-ordained encounter.
  • יְהוָ֔ה (YHVH): The divine, personal covenant name of God, translated as "LORD." This underscores the exclusive divine authorship and ownership of these feasts; they are His appointments, not human customs or inventions.
• "of the LORD": Reiteration that these convocations originate from and belong to the sovereign God of Israel, highlighting His authority over all aspects of their religious and temporal life.
• "holy convocations" (מִקְרָאֵי־קֹ֖דֶשׁ, miqra'ey-qodesh):
  • מִקְרָאֵי (miqra'ey): Plural of miqra (מִקְרָא), meaning "a calling," "a summons," "a reading," or "an assembly." It implies an official, divinely initiated summons for the people to gather.
  • קֹ֖דֶשׁ (qodesh): "Holiness," "sanctity," "sacredness." It denotes that these assemblies are set apart from the common or profane, dedicated exclusively for divine purposes and characterized by reverence and specific worship.
• "which you shall proclaim" (אֲשֶׁר־תִּקְרְא֣וּ אֹתָ֑ם, 'asher-tiqra'u otam):
  • תִּקְרְא֣וּ (tiqra'u): The verb "you shall call," "proclaim," or "summon." This places a clear responsibility on Israel (specifically those in authority, but by extension, the entire community) to publicly announce and observe these appointed times, ensuring widespread participation and obedience. It highlights the communal aspect of keeping the calendar.
• "at their appointed times" (בְּמוֹעֲדָֽם׃, bemo'adam): The repetition of the root mo'ed (appointed time) emphasizes precision and punctuality. It was not enough to observe the feasts, but to observe them at the exact time God had designated, signifying obedience to His specific temporal ordinances.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "These are the appointed feasts of the LORD": This phrase firmly establishes that the entire sacred calendar is divine in origin, not human. It introduces God's established timeline for communal worship and interaction with Him.
• "holy convocations": This immediately defines the sacred nature and purpose of the gatherings. They are not merely social events but solemn, set-apart assemblies where God meets with His people for holy purposes.
• "which you shall proclaim at their appointed times": This crucial instruction highlights the Israelites' active duty in maintaining God's calendar. It demands both public announcement for community adherence and strict observance according to God's exact timing.

Leviticus 23 4 Commentary

Leviticus 23:4 succinctly introduces the sequence of annual divine appointments that were central to Israel's life of worship and identity. It profoundly states that these festivals are not cultural traditions but "the LORD's appointed feasts" (mo'adim YHVH), emphasizing His proprietorship and initiative. Each feast is unequivocally defined as a "holy convocation" (miqra' qodesh), a sacred summons for communal gathering dedicated exclusively to God. The imperative to "proclaim" them highlights Israel's solemn duty to publicly declare and meticulously adhere to these divinely "appointed times" (bemo'adam). This obedience showcased their recognition of God's sovereignty over time and life, setting them apart from surrounding nations who followed pagan seasonal rituals. Furthermore, each of these feasts carried profound typological and prophetic significance, foreshadowing Christ's redemptive work, from His sacrifice as the Passover Lamb to the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, and pointing to His future return and reign in the ultimate feast of Tabernacles. Thus, this verse establishes the rhythm of God's plan, woven into Israel's calendar, looking both backward at His historical salvation and forward to its eschatological fulfillment.

Bonus Section

• The meticulous dating and description of these feasts underscore a foundational biblical principle: God is a God of order, and His covenant interactions are not arbitrary but occur according to His divinely ordained timing. This principle finds echoes throughout biblical prophecy concerning Christ's first and second comings, which happened "in the fullness of time."
• The mo'edim are seen by many as God's prophetic timetable, a shadow curriculum outlining His plan of salvation from the Spring Feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Weeks) fulfilled by Christ's first advent and the outpouring of the Spirit, to the Fall Feasts (Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles) which many believe await their fulfillment in Christ's return and millennial reign.
• The phrase "appointed feasts" connects this chapter with earlier passages mentioning the Tent of Meeting, which in Hebrew is 'ohel mo'ed – the "Tent of Appointed Meeting." This reinforces the idea that these festivals are times and places designated by God for His presence to dwell among His people and for His people to meet with Him.