Numbers 29:12 kjv
And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:
Numbers 29:12 nkjv
'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work, and you shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.
Numbers 29:12 niv
"?'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. Celebrate a festival to the LORD for seven days.
Numbers 29:12 esv
"On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.
Numbers 29:12 nlt
"Five days later, on the fifteenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly of all the people, and you may do no ordinary work on that day. It is the beginning of the Festival of Shelters, a seven-day festival to the LORD.
Numbers 29 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 23:34 | "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths to the Lord." | Primary command for Sukkot's timing and duration. |
| Ex 23:16 | "You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor." | Connects Sukkot to harvest and thanksgiving. |
| Ex 34:22 | "You shall keep the Feast of Weeks, even the firstfruits... and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end." | Reiteration of the Feast of Ingathering (Sukkot). |
| Dt 16:13 | "You shall keep the Feast of Booths for seven days, when you have gathered in the produce..." | Confirms duration and harvest association of Sukkot. |
| Dt 16:14-15 | "You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter... For the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce..." | Emphasizes rejoicing and God's blessings. |
| Lev 23:2 | "These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim as holy convocations." | General instruction for all holy convocations. |
| Lev 23:3 | "Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation..." | Similar prohibition of regular work on a holy convocation. |
| Lev 23:24 | "On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a holy convocation, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets." | Reference to the holy convocation preceding Sukkot (Rosh Hashanah). |
| Lev 23:27 | "On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement... It shall be for you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict yourselves..." | Reference to the holy convocation preceding Sukkot (Yom Kippur). |
| Neh 8:9 | "And Nehemiah... and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, 'This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.'" | Context of joyous observance of feasts (including Sukkot's spirit). |
| Neh 8:12 | "And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them." | Illustrates the joy associated with obeying God's commands for feasts. |
| Ezek 45:25 | "In the seventh month, on the fifteenth day of the month, at the feast, he shall make the same provision for the sin offering..." | Prophetic instruction for future temple sacrifices related to Sukkot. |
| 1 Kin 8:2 | "And all the men of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month." | Historical observance of Sukkot during Temple dedication. |
| 2 Chr 7:9 | "On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had observed the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days." | Reinforces the seven-day duration of the feast. |
| Zec 14:16 | "Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths." | Prophetic future observance of Sukkot by all nations. |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory..." | The Greek word for "dwelt" (ἐσκήνωσεν, eskēnōsen) directly means "tabernacled," connecting Christ's incarnation to the meaning of Sukkot. |
| Jn 7:2 | "Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand." | Historical context of Jesus observing the Feast of Tabernacles. |
| Jn 7:37 | "On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.'" | Jesus's declaration during Sukkot, tying into its water libation ceremony. |
| Heb 4:9 | "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God." | The concept of spiritual rest from works, prefigured by Israel's feast rests. |
| Rev 7:9 | "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number... standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands..." | Alludes to Sukkot (waving of branches, Revelation of ultimate dwelling with God). |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." | Ultimate fulfillment of God "tabernacling" or dwelling with His people. |
Numbers 29 verses
Numbers 29 12 Meaning
Numbers 29:12 initiates the divine command for the Feast of Tabernacles, known as Sukkot, designating its start on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It explicitly calls for a holy convocation, meaning a solemn assembly set apart for God. Furthermore, it prohibits all regular labor, signifying a complete devotion of this time to the Lord. The verse concludes by establishing the festival's duration for seven days, marking a period of joyful celebration and remembrance of God's dwelling with His people.
Numbers 29 12 Context
Numbers 29 is part of a larger section (Chapters 28-29) detailing the specific offerings required for each of Israel's annual feasts, alongside the daily and weekly sacrifices. These instructions emphasize the rhythm of Israelite worship and devotion to YHWH, highlighting His providence and the covenant relationship. This particular verse, Numbers 29:12, inaugurates the most extensive set of sacrifices prescribed for any single festival: the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Coming after the somber Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Sukkot provides a joyous celebration, a pilgrimage feast reflecting on God's provision in the wilderness (dwelling in booths/tabernacles) and His faithfulness in providing a harvest. It concludes the annual cycle of "appointed times" (mo'adim), leading the people into a posture of gratitude and trust after repentance and atonement.
Numbers 29 12 Word analysis
- On the fifteenth day: ba-ḥămiššāh ‘āśār yôm (בַּחֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר יוֹם). This precise timing points to God's meticulous order in the cultic calendar. The seventh month (Tishrei) held significant religious importance, containing the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) before Sukkot. This sequence emphasizes preparation (Trumpets) and purification (Atonement) preceding the celebration of God's presence and provision (Sukkot).
- of the seventh month: laḥōḏeš haš-šəḇî‘î (לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי). The seventh month (Tishrei) represents completion and spiritual intensity in the Hebrew calendar. It contrasts with the agricultural year starting in the spring (Nisan). Placing major solemn festivals and the final harvest festival in this month elevates spiritual matters over mere agrarian cycles, while integrating both.
- you shall have a holy convocation: miqra qodesh yiheyeh lakem (מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם).
- holy convocation: miqra qodesh (מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ).
- Miqra (מִקְרָא): Literally "a calling" or "a summons." It denotes an assembly specifically "called" by God, indicating its divine institution and mandatory nature for Israel.
- Qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ): "Holy," meaning set apart, sacred, dedicated exclusively to God. This signifies the purpose and atmosphere of the assembly – not for secular leisure, but for sacred worship and communion with YHWH. It is a time for Israel to put aside its ordinary concerns and focus on the Creator. This concept polemically contrasted with pagan feasts which often devolved into revelry or self-gratification; God’s feasts were sanctified.
- yiheyeh lakem (יִהְיֶה לָכֶם): "It shall be for you." This emphasizes the benefit and blessing for the people, not just a burden. It is for their good.
- holy convocation: miqra qodesh (מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ).
- You shall do no regular work: kol-melekhet 'avodah lo' ta'asun (כָּל-מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן).
- no regular work: melekhet 'avodah (מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה). This phrase specifies a prohibition on all forms of labor for gain or livelihood, but not on necessary activities like preparing food (which could be done, unlike on Yom Kippur). It distinguishes these sacred days from ordinary workdays, demanding that Israel focus on God rather than their temporal concerns. It mirrors the Sabbath principle (Ex 20:10), extending sacred rest to this festive occasion. It cultivates trust in God's provision.
- lo' ta'asun (לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן): "You shall not do." A direct prohibition.
- and shall keep a festival: we-chaggotem chag (וְחַגֹּתֶם חָג).
- keep a festival: chagag chag (חָגַג חַג).
- Chagag (חָגַג): "To keep a feast, celebrate, observe a festival," often involving a pilgrim procession. It carries a strong connotation of joyful movement and festive celebration.
- Chag (חַג): The noun for "feast" or "festival." Together, chagag chag intensifies the sense of truly celebrating a festive occasion. This is not just a cessation of work, but an active, joyous participation.
- keep a festival: chagag chag (חָגַג חַג).
- to the Lord: la-YHWH (לַיהוָה). The ultimate recipient and purpose of the entire celebration. It underscores the theocentric nature of the Israelite calendar and worship. Every act, every offering, and every moment of rest and rejoicing is consecrated to YHWH, demonstrating absolute devotion and allegiance to Him. It also highlights YHWH's authority over time itself.
- for seven days: shiva yamim (שִׁבְעַת יָמִים). This duration, mirroring creation week (Gen 1-2), is significant. It implies a complete and consecrated period. Seven is a number of completeness and perfection in biblical numerology, underscoring the wholeness of the dedication. For Sukkot, these seven days reinforced the historical journey of Israel dwelling in temporary shelters during their 40-year wilderness wanderings, culminating in their dwelling in the promised land, secured by God's faithfulness.
Numbers 29 12 Bonus section
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) carries significant prophetic weight, going beyond historical commemoration. Its observance by all nations in the Messianic kingdom (Zech 14:16-19) underscores a universal recognition of YHWH's sovereignty and presence. The association with water libation ceremonies during Sukkot, a plea for rain in the arid land, is strikingly paralleled by Jesus's invitation to the thirsty to come to Him for living water on the "last day, the great day of the feast" (Jn 7:37-38). This ties Sukkot's historical and agricultural themes to the spiritual realities of salvation found in Christ. Furthermore, the transient nature of the booths, combined with the week-long joyful celebration, subtly speaks to the pilgrim nature of the believer's earthly journey and the anticipation of eternal rest and rejoicing in God's presence, an enduring dwelling place not made with hands.
Numbers 29 12 Commentary
Numbers 29:12 marks the inauguration of the most prominent feast in Israel's autumn calendar, the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Occurring precisely after the Day of Atonement, this verse commands a dramatic shift from solemn affliction to profound joy and celebration. It defines the feast as a "holy convocation," an obligatory divine summons to communal worship, distinctly set apart from all ordinary human pursuits. The command to abstain from "regular work" emphasizes that this week-long festival is solely dedicated to YHWH, reinforcing dependency on His provision rather than human toil. This celebration, often called the "Feast of Ingathering," not only commemorated God's provision during the wilderness exodus (temporary dwellings), but also celebrated the final agricultural harvest of the year, intertwining spiritual remembrance with earthly gratitude. Ultimately, it pointed to a future time of divine dwelling and abundant blessing, prefiguring Christ's "tabernacling" among humanity and the ultimate eternal fellowship with God.