Leviticus 23:40 kjv

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.

Leviticus 23:40 nkjv

And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Leviticus 23:40 niv

On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees?from palms, willows and other leafy trees?and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.

Leviticus 23:40 esv

And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Leviticus 23:40 nlt

On the first day gather branches from magnificent trees ? palm fronds, boughs from leafy trees, and willows that grow by the streams. Then celebrate with joy before the LORD your God for seven days.

Leviticus 23 verses

Leviticus 23 40 Meaning

Leviticus 23:40 outlines specific instructions for the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a divine command to Israel. On the first day of this seven-day feast, the people were to gather four distinct species of plant branches: the boughs of "goodly" (majestic/beautiful) trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of thick (dense) trees, and willows from the brook. These branches were to be used in some capacity during the festival, and the overarching directive was to "rejoice before the Lord your God" for the entire seven days. The verse emphasizes active, communal joy as a central act of worship, directed specifically towards the covenant God of Israel.

Leviticus 23 40 Context

Leviticus 23 details the Lord's appointed festivals and holy convocations that Israel was to observe throughout the year, marking specific times for worship and remembrance. These include the Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Weeks (Pentecost), Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and finally, the Feast of Tabernacles. Chapter 23 outlines the sacred calendar, transitioning from spring agricultural feasts to the solemn fall observances of judgment (Yom Kippur) and finally to the celebratory harvest festival of Sukkot.

Historically, the Feast of Tabernacles was the last of the three annual pilgrim festivals (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles) when all Israelite males were commanded to appear before the Lord. It was an autumn harvest festival, celebrating the ingathering of agricultural produce at the end of the year (Exod 23:16). Crucially, it also served as a remembrance of God's provision and protection during the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wanderings, when they lived in temporary shelters (Lev 23:43). The joyous nature of the feast was meant to contrast with the solemnity of the preceding Day of Atonement, signifying a clean slate and renewed relationship with God, leading to abundant joy and thankfulness for His faithfulness and dwelling presence among them.

Leviticus 23 40 Word analysis

• "And ye shall take you": (וּלְקַחְתֶּם לָכֶם - u-lekakhtem lakhem). This phrase issues a direct, non-negotiable command from God. The verb laqach signifies to "take, lay hold of, obtain," implying an active role in gathering these specific materials for the prescribed purpose. The reflexive pronoun "you" (for yourselves) suggests that this action is for their personal and communal benefit in their worship experience.
• "on the first day": (בַּיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן - bayom ha'rishon). This sets a precise timing for the action. It's the beginning of the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, signifying the proper initiation of the festive period. This emphasizes order and adherence to divine scheduling in worship.
• "the boughs of goodly trees": (פְּרִי עֵץ הָדָר - p'ri etz hadar). Literally, "fruit of a majestic tree" or "beautiful tree." While often translated "boughs," the Hebrew p'ri primarily means "fruit." Tradition universally identifies this as the etrog (citron), valued for its fragrance and beauty, suggesting fruitfulness, splendor, or excellence. It might represent the spiritual fruit God expects from His people.
• "branches of palm trees": (כַּפּוֹת תְּמָרִים - kappot t'marim). Specifically "palm fronds" or "leaf-blades of date palms." These are commonly identified with the lulav. Palm branches historically symbolize victory, uprightness, and exaltation. Their use often denotes praise, triumph, or an outpouring of joyful reverence, as seen in triumphal processions or future heavenly scenes (Rev 7:9).
• "and the boughs of thick trees": (וַעֲנַף עֵץ עָבֹת - va'anaf etz avot). Literally, "branch of a dense tree" or "interwoven tree." This is traditionally the myrtle (hadas), known for its thick, aromatic foliage with leaves that often grow in threes. It represents an intertwining of elements or might symbolize sweetness and fragrance in one's walk with God, or perhaps dense growth and strength.
• "and willows of the brook": (וְעַרְבֵי נַחַל - v'arvey nachal). "Willows of the stream." This is the aravah, a willow species that thrives near water sources. Willows symbolize dependence (on water), humility, or those who may not bear fruit or have fragrance but are present near the source of life, highlighting the inclusivity of all people in worship.
• "and ye shall rejoice": (וּשְׂמַחְתֶּם - u-s'machtem). This is a strong, repeated divine command to be full of joy, gladness, and delight. It's not a mere suggestion of emotion but an active imperative to celebrate. This emphasizes that joy in God's presence is an essential component of authentic worship and a testament to His goodness.
• "before the Lord your God": (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - lifnei Yahweh Eloheykhem). This clarifies the object and context of the rejoicing. It is not frivolous revelry but a holy joy performed in God's presence, acknowledging Him as their sovereign Lord and faithful Provider. It underscores the covenant relationship and reverence for His holy nature.
• "seven days": (שִׁבְעַת יָמִים - shiv'at yamim). This specifies the duration of the rejoicing and the feast itself. Seven days symbolizes completion, perfection, and sacred time. This sustained period allows for a profound, immersive experience of God's provisions, mercy, and dwelling presence among His people, reinforcing the deep meaning of the festival.

Word Group Analysis:

• "the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook": These "Four Species" (often called Arba Minim) form the physical components used during Sukkot rituals. They represent diverse aspects of creation, providing shade for the sukkah (booth) and waved together during Hallel prayers in the Temple. Many traditions interpret them symbolically: representing different kinds of people within Israel (some with knowledge, some with good deeds, some with both, some with neither but present), or representing different body parts, or even qualities of the believer (heart, spine, eyes, mouth). Collectively, they highlight the unity in diversity required for true worship and God's holistic provision, drawing from various aspects of His creation.

Leviticus 23 40 Bonus section

• Prophetic Significance of the "Four Species": Beyond representing types of people, the four species collectively speak of the Lord. The etrog (fruit of beautiful tree) signifies His good deeds, His perfect heart; the lulav (palm branch) symbolizes His uprightness and victory; the hadas (myrtle, thick tree) His pervasive aroma of truth and life; and the aravah (willow of the brook) His humility and dependence on the "living water" He offers. When held and waved together, they can symbolize a unified expression of praise and worship for all that God is and does.
• New Testament Connection - John 7: Jesus' profound statements during the Feast of Tabernacles, particularly His cry for "living water" (John 7:37-38), directly connect to the traditional water-drawing ceremonies of Sukkot. During this ritual, priests drew water from the Pool of Siloam and poured it out at the altar, symbolizing prayers for rain and commemorating God's provision of water in the desert. Jesus' declaration signifies that He is the true source of living water, fulfilling the spiritual longing represented by the physical ritual. This places Him as the ultimate 'booth' where God dwells with humanity.
• Joy as a Characteristic of God's Kingdom: The strong emphasis on joy in this verse aligns with a broader biblical theme: joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and a defining characteristic of life in God's presence. Rejoicing before the Lord during Sukkot prepares the people for the eternal joy found in God's kingdom, a kingdom where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Ps 16:11).
• Contrast with Wilderness Wanderings: While dwelling in booths recalled the wilderness hardships, the commandment to rejoice ensured it was not a commemoration of suffering but of divine faithfulness through suffering. This reframed their history, transforming potential sorrow into profound gratitude and holy delight.

Leviticus 23 40 Commentary

Leviticus 23:40 encapsulates the core directive for celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles: a joyful remembrance of God's faithful provision. The command to gather four specific plant species—the citrus (etrog), palm, myrtle, and willow—on the first day served both practical and symbolic purposes. These branches, often bound together to be waved or used to decorate temporary booths (sukkot), connected the people to the agrarian nature of the festival as a harvest celebration and to the memory of Israel's temporary dwelling in the wilderness. The varied trees symbolize God's encompassing provision in nature and the diversity of His people, all brought together in unity for worship.

The paramount instruction, "ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God," transforms the gathering into an act of worship. This commanded joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deliberate, seven-day posture of gratitude and celebration. It stems from acknowledging God's protective hand during their wilderness wanderings, His rich agricultural blessings in the Promised Land, and His continued presence among them. This holy joy differentiates their celebration from any pagan harvest festivals, rooting it firmly in their covenant relationship with the one true God. The feast serves as a prophetic picture, too: recalling God "tabernacling" among His people (John 1:14), looking forward to the joyous ingathering of all nations in the Messiah's kingdom (Zech 14:16-19), and anticipating the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in the new creation (Rev 7:9-10). The call to rejoice then, becomes an enduring invitation for all believers to celebrate God's past faithfulness, present presence, and future promise.