Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.
(1.) It was to be observed on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Le 23:34), but five days after the day of atonement. We may suppose, though they were not all bound to attend on the day of atonement, as on the three great festivals, yet that many of the devout Jews came up so many days before the feast of tabernacles as to enjoy the opportunity of attending on the day of atonement. Now,
[1.] The afflicting of their souls on the day of atonement prepared them for the joy of the feast of tabernacles. The more we are grieved and humbled for sin, the better qualified we are for the comforts of the Holy Ghost.
[2.] The joy of this feast recompensed them for the sorrow of that fast; for those that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
(2.) It was to continue eight days, the first and last of which were to be observed as Sabbaths, days of holy rest and holy convocations, Le 23:35,36,39. The sacrifices to be offered on these eight days we have a very large appointment of, Nu 29:12-39, &c.
(3.) During the first seven days of this feast all the people were to leave their houses, and the women and children in them, and to dwell in booths made of the boughs of thick trees, particularly palm trees, Le 23:40,42. The Jews make the taking of the branches to be a distinct ceremony from the making of the booths. It is said, indeed (Ne 8:15), that they made their booths of the branches of trees, which they might do, and yet use that further expression of joy, the carrying of palm-branches in their hands, which appears to have been a token of triumph upon other occasions (Joh 12:13), and is alluded to, Re 7:9. The eighth day some make a distinct feast of itself, but it is called (Joh 7:37) that great day of the feast; it was the day on which they returned from their booths, to settle again in their own houses.