Leviticus 23:2

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of the LORD that you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses, instructing him to deliver a message to the Israelites. This occurs at the opening of a chapter that establishes the sacred calendar.

The words — The Hebrew מוֹעֲדֵי (mo'adei) literally means "appointed feasts" or "set times." The imperative דַּבֵּר (daBer) commands direct speech, framing the passage as an official proclamation.

The thread — The formula for proclaimed sacred assemblies repeats in Leviticus 23:4 and Leviticus 23:37. It aligns with the earlier command in Exodus 23:14 to celebrate three annual feasts.

Why it lands — The text explicitly commands the Israelites to designate specific days as sacred assemblies for Yahweh. A reader must identify these fixed times and treat them as non-negotiable gatherings rather than personal observances.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

דַּבֵּ֞רda.Berspeak אֶל־'el-to בְּנֵ֤יbe.Nei[the] people of יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElIsrael וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ve./'a.mar.Taand/ you will say אֲלֵהֶ֔ם'a.le./Hemto/ them מוֹעֲדֵ֣יmo.'a.Dei[the] appointed feasts of יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-which תִּקְרְא֥וּtik.re.'Uyou will proclaim אֹתָ֖ם'o.Ta/m<obj.>/ them מִקְרָאֵ֣יmik.ra.'Eiconvocations of קֹ֑דֶשׁKo.deshholiness אֵ֥לֶּה'E.lehthese הֵ֖םhemthey מוֹעֲדָֽי׃mo.'a.Da/i[are] appointed feasts/ my

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Leviticus 23:4 These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times.
Leviticus 23:37 These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for presenting food offerings to the LORD—burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its designated day.
Exodus 23:14 Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me.
Numbers 10:10 And on your joyous occasions, your appointed feasts, and the beginning of each month, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings to serve as a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.”
Numbers 29:39 You are to present these offerings to the LORD at your appointed times, in addition to your vow and freewill offerings, whether burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or peace offerings.”
2 Chronicles 30:5 So they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem. For they had not observed it in great numbers as prescribed.
Psalms 81:3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.
Isaiah 1:13 Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.
Hosea 2:11 I will put an end to all her exultation: her feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths—all her appointed feasts.
Joel 2:15 Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly.