Deuteronomy 16:1-22

Deuteronomy 16. The Deuteronomic Laws of the Three Annual Pilgrimage Feasts. These are adaptations of the older laws in Exodus 23:18 *, Exodus 34:18; Exodus 34:22 f. (general regulations); Deuteronomy 12:21 (Passover); Deuteronomy 13:3 (Unleavened Bread), all J or E (see also Leviticus 23* (H) and Numbers 28 f., Numbers 9:1; Exodus 12:1 *, Exodus 12:43 *, (all P), also pp. 102- 104. D in the present chapter lays stress upon the following points: (a) The feasts are to be observed at the one sanctuary (Deuteronomy 16:16), i.e. at Jerusalem. (b) The occasions are to be characterised by joyousness and liberality (Deuteronomy 16:16 f., etc.). (c) The Passover (Deuteronomy 16:1) becomes now a memorial feast. (d) See Deuteronomy 16:1 *.

Deuteronomy 16:1. Deuteronomy 16:1 a, Deuteronomy 16:4 b - Deuteronomy 16:7 alone deal with the Passover, the rest treating of Massoth (Unleavened Bread). It is in D that these two originally distinct festivals are first fused into one, the former becoming virtually the opening day of the second (as in P).

Deuteronomy 16:7. roast: render, boil (cf. mg.). EV renders roast to reconcile with Exodus 12:9 * (P), which, however, reflects the later custom.

Deuteronomy 16:9. Law of the Feast of Weeks. See Exodus 34:22. It has these features: (a) D makes no allusion to the first-fruits as the other codes do. (b) D agrees with H (Leviticus 23:15 f.) in fixing the date of its observance (seven weeks a week of weeks, hence the name after the Passover), only the later law H mentions the specific day from which the calculation is to be made. (c) D shows, as usual, a special interest in the social and joyous aspect of the feast.

Deuteronomy 16:13. D is the first to fix the duration of the feast of Booths, though he does not name the exact days as H does (Leviticus 23:39). An eighth day is added in P (Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35), and is mentioned in later literature (see Cent.B on Exodus 3:4).

Deuteronomy 16:16 f. See Exodus 23:17 (JE).

Deuteronomy 16:16. appear before: read, see (cf. Deuteronomy 31:11, Isaiah 1:12 *).

Deuteronomy 16:18 to Deuteronomy 18:22 ( except Deuteronomy 16:21 to Deuteronomy 17:7, see below). Laws Concerning the Officials of the Nation. Those mentioned are: judges, the king, priests, and prophets. These laws reveal an acquaintance with the political, social, and religious circumstances of the late monarchy.

Deuteronomy 16:18. Local tribunals to be set up (the local sanctuaries used as such being now suppressed), presided over by lay judges and priestly assessors.

Deuteronomy 16:18. officers: Heb. writers, cf. scribes. Probably priests (associated in Deuteronomy 17:8 with lay judges) are meant; they acting as the legal authorities (cf. our town clerk).

Deuteronomy 16:21- Deuteronomy 17:7. Laws Demanding Pure Worship and Suitable Sacrifices. This breaks the connexion; its proper place is probably between Deuteronomy 12 and Deuteronomy 13.

Deuteronomy 16:21 f. Asherah. pillar: Deuteronomy 7:5 *.