Feasts in the Bible
The feasts of the Bible are the appointed times that God himself established for his people to gather, remember his mighty works, and rejoice in his presence. They were not human inventions but divine appointments: "These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies" (Leviticus 23:2). The Lord laid out a sacred calendar—"These are the LORD's appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times" (Leviticus 23:4)—so that Israel's year would be punctuated by worship and remembrance. The feasts were rooted in God's redemptive acts. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorated the deliverance from Egypt: "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance" (Exodus 12:14). Three times a year the men of Israel were to appear before the Lord at the central sanctuary: "Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose" (Deuteronomy 16:16), gathering for Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) was especially joyful, recalling Israel's wilderness dwelling: "The LORD's Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days" (Leviticus 23:34). It was during this feast that Jesus taught in the temple—"the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near" (John 7:2)—revealing himself as the fulfillment of what the feasts foreshadowed. The feasts also point forward to the consummation of God's kingdom. Zechariah prophesies that in the age to come "the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16). The biblical feasts thus form a thread from remembrance to fulfillment: they look back to God's redemption, celebrate his ongoing provision, and look forward to the day when all nations will worship the Lord together.
Key verse snapshot
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.”
Bible Verses about Feasts
7 Scripture passages on this theme
Leviticus 23:2
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.”
Leviticus 23:4
“These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.”
Exodus 12:14
“And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.”
Deuteronomy 16:16
“Three 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:”
John 7:2
“Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.”
Zechariah 14:16
“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.”
Leviticus 23:34
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Apply These Verses to Your Life
Scripture comes alive when we meditate on it and apply it daily. Read these verses in full context, pray for understanding, and ask God how they speak to your situation with feasts.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
- Category:
- Scripture Guidance