Jesus and the Feast of Tabernacles in Scripture

The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Ingathering, was one of the three major annual festivals for the Jewish people ^{[1, 2]}. It was celebrated for eight days, from the 15th to the 22nd of the month of Tisri, which fell in the autumn after the harvest of corn, wine, and oil ^{[1, 4]}. During this festival, the Israelites were commanded to live in temporary shelters or "booths" made of tree branches, commemorating their forty years of wandering in the wilderness ^{[2, 7]}. The feast was characterized by great rejoicing and numerous burnt offerings ^{[4, 9]}.

Jesus's ministry included significant interactions with this feast. The Gospel of John records Jesus attending the Feast of Tabernacles ^{[3, 10]}. This particular feast occurred after Jesus had spent time in Galilee, avoiding Judea because Jewish leaders sought to kill him ^[10]. The timing of this feast is noted by John Gill as one of the three annual festivals, though some scholars debate whether a previous feast mentioned in John 5 was a Passover or another festival ^{[8, 10]}.

The Feast of Tabernacles held deep symbolic meaning. It was a time of thanksgiving for the harvest and a reminder of God's provision during the wilderness journey ^{[1, 6]}. The prophet Zechariah alludes to the Feast of Tabernacles in a future context, suggesting that while the types of Passover and Pentecost are fulfilled in Christ, the Feast of Tabernacles will commemorate the Jews' long sojourn, not just in the wilderness but for nearly two thousand years ^[7]. The dedication of Solomon's Temple also took place during the Feast of Tabernacles, highlighting its significance in Israelite history ^{[2, 5]}. The feast was to be observed perpetually, with the law publicly read every seventh year ^[4].

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Tabernacles, The Feast Of — (Exodus 23:16) ("the feast of ingathering"), the third of the three great festivals: of the Hebrews, which lasted from the 15th till the 22d of Tisri. + The following are the principal passages in the Pentateuch which refer to it: (Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:34-36; 39-43; Numbers 29:12-38; 16:13-15; 31:10-13) In Nehe 8, there is an account of the observance of the feast by Ezra. + The time of the festival fell in the autumn, when the whole of the chief fruits of the ground, the corn, the wine and the oil, were gathered in. (Exodus 23:16; Le”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tabernacles, Feast of — The third of the great annual festivals of the Jews (Lev. 23:33-43). It is also called the "feast of ingathering" (Ex. 23:16; Deut. 16:13). It was celebrated immediately after the harvest, in the month Tisri, and the celebration lasted for eight days (Lev. 23:33-43). During that period the people left their homes and lived in booths formed of the branches of trees. The sacrifices offered at this time are mentioned in Num. 29:13-38. It was at the time of this feast that Solomon's temple was dedicated (1 Kings 8:2). Mention is made of it after t”
John “John 7:2 (YLT) — and the feast of the Jews was nigh--that of tabernacles--”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Feast of Tabernacles, The — Held after harvest and vintage -- De 16:13. Began fifteenth of seventh month -- Le 23:34,39. Lasted seven days -- Le 23:34,41; De 16:13,15. Called the feast of ingathering -- Ex 23:16,17. All males obliged to appear at -- Ex 23:16,17. First and last days of, holy convocations -- Le 23:35,39; Nu 29:12,35. Sacrifices during -- Le 23:36,37; Nu 29:13-39. To be observed With rejoicing. -- De 16:14,15. Perpetually. -- Le 23:41. The people dwelt in booths during -- Le 23:42; Ne 8:15,16. The law publicly read every seventh year at -- De 31:10-12; ”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 4, section 6: the king then observed splendidly and magnificently the feast which is called the Feast of Tabernacles, before the temple, for twice seven days; and he then feasted together with all the people. 6. When all these solemnities were abundantly satisfied, and nothing was omitted that concerned the Divine worship, the king dismissed them; and they every one went to their own homes, giving thanks to the king for the care he had taken of them, and the works he had done for them; and praying to God to preserve Solomon to be their king fo”
Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 16:13: Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days--(See on Exo 23:14; Lev 23:34; Num 29:12). Various conjectures have been formed to account for the appointment of this feast at the conclusion of the whole harvest. Some imagine that it was designed to remind the Israelites of the time when they had no cornfields to reap but were daily supplied with manna; others think that it suited the convenience of the people better than any other period of the year for dwelling in booths; others that it was the time of Moses' second descent from the moun”
Zechariah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Zechariah 14:16: every one . . . left-- (Isa 66:19, Isa 66:23). God will conquer all the foes of the Church, Some He will destroy; others He will bring into willing subjection. from year to year--literally, "from the sufficiency of a year in a year." feast of tabernacles--The other two great yearly feasts, passover and pentecost, are not specified, because, their antitypes having come, the types are done away with. But the feast of tabernacles will be commemorative of the Jews' sojourn, not merely forty years in the wilderness, but for almost two thousand years”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 5 (introduction): After this there was a feast of the Jews,.... After Christ had been in Samaria, which was four months ago, Joh 4:35, and had been in Galilee for that time, and had cured the nobleman's son, and had done other mighty works, the time came on for one of the three festivals of the Jews; either the feast of Pentecost, as some think; or as others, the feast of tabernacles; or rather, the feast of the passover, so called, in Joh 4:45 since John is very particular, in giving an account of the several passovers, in Christ's ministry: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem;”
Numbers (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Numbers 29:12: The feast of Tabernacles, the special regulations for the celebration of which are contained in Lev 23:34-36 and Lev 23:39-43, was distinguished above all the other feasts of the year by the great number of burnt-offerings, which raised it into the greatest festival of joy. On the seven feast-days, the first of which was to be celebrated with sabbatical rest and a holy meeting, there were to be offered, in addition to the daily burnt-offering, every day a he-goat for a sin-offering, and seventy oxen in all for a burnt-offering during the seven days, as well a”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 7 (introduction): CHRIST AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. (John 7:1-53) After these things--that is, all that is recorded after Joh 5:18. walked in Galilee--continuing His labors there, instead of going to Judea, as might have been expected. sought to kill him--referring back to Joh 5:18. Hence it appears that our Lord did not attend the Passover mentioned in Joh 6:4 --being the third since His ministry began, if the feast mentioned in Joh 5:1 was a Passover.”

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