The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot, is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals commanded in the Torah that all Jewish males were required to observe in Jerusalem each year (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:18-23; Leviticus 23:33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-15). It is a 7-day festival that begins on the 15th day of the seventh month (Tishri) on the biblical calendar, which typically falls in September or October on our Gregorian calendars. Here is a deep dive into everything the Bible teaches about this important Jewish holiday.
Names and Meanings
The Feast of Tabernacles is known by several names in Scripture:
- “Feast of Booths” – The Hebrew name is Sukkot, referring to the temporary booths or shelters that the Israelites lived in during the wilderness wanderings after the Exodus from Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43).
- “Feast of Tabernacles” – This name comes from the Hebrew word sukkah meaning “booth.” It refers to the temporary booths or shelters the Israelites dwelt in (Leviticus 23:34, 43; Deuteronomy 16:13, 16).
- “Feast of Ingathering” – This name reflects that Sukkot is an agricultural festival, celebrated after the autumn harvest was completed and the produce gathered in (Exodus 23:16).
The Feast of Tabernacles was the most joyous of the biblical feasts. It marked the completion of the autumn harvest season and celebrated God’s watchcare over Israel during the 40 years they lived in temporary shelters in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43).
Origin and Purpose
God instituted the Feast of Tabernacles as part of the holy convocations He commanded for Israel in Leviticus 23. Along with Passover and Pentecost, it was one of the three pilgrimage festivals in which all Israelite men were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem each year (Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:16).
The Feast of Tabernacles served several important purposes for Israel:
- A harvest festival – It celebrated the completion of the autumn harvest season and God’s provision for Israel (Exodus 23:16).
- A reminder of God’s deliverance – Living in temporary shelters recalled God’s watchcare over Israel when they lived in booths after the Exodus from Egypt (Leviticus 23:42-43).
- A glimpse of the future Messianic kingdom – The Feast will be observed again when Christ reigns on earth (Zechariah 14:16-19).
- An occasion of national unity and solidarity – As one of the pilgrimage feasts, it brought Israel together in Jerusalem to celebrate their shared heritage.
The Feast of Tabernacles reminded Israel of God’s faithfulness and provision in the past, while looking forward to the future restoration and blessing He promised to Israel.
Key Events in the Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles began on the 15th day of the 7th month on the biblical calendar (late September/early October in our modern calendar) and lasted for 7 days. Some key events and rituals during the feast included:
- Dwelling in booths – For the 7 days of the feast, the Israelites lived in temporary booths or shelters made of branches to remember their dwelling in booths after the Exodus (Leviticus 23:42).
- Offerings and sacrifices – There were daily burnt, grain, and drink offerings made during the 7 days of the feast (Numbers 29:12-38).
- The Lulav – On each day, the Israelites processed around the altar waving branches from palm, myrtle and willow trees to rejoice before the Lord (Leviticus 23:40).
- Water pouring ceremony – Each morning of the feast, priests would go to the Pool of Siloam, draw water, and pour it on the altar alongside the regular drink offering while the congregation recited Isaiah 12:3.
- Dancing and rejoicing – The feast was a time of great rejoicing for Israel with singing, music and dancing as they celebrated God’s goodness (Deuteronomy 16:14-15).
The sacrifices and offerings presented during the 7 days of the Feast of Tabernacles were detailed in Numbers 29:12-38. They decreased each day, perhaps depicting the sad feeling as the joyful feast drew to an end.
Prophetic and Messianic Symbolism
In addition to looking back to God’s past faithfulness, the Feast of Tabernacles also holds rich prophetic imagery that points forward to future events and the Messianic age. Some elements that symbolize the coming kingdom include:
- Dwelling in temporary shelters recalls Israel’s future ingathering and restoration to the land (Zechariah 14:16-19).
- The water pouring ceremony depicts the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the kingdom (Zechariah 14:8, John 7:37-39).
- The tent recalls God’s glory dwelling among men in the Messiah’s kingdom (John 1:14).
- The offerings depict the age of righteousness, peace, prosperity and joy of Messiah’s reign.
Jesus Himself fulfilled the prophetic imagery of the Feast of Tabernacles. He was born in a temporary dwelling (Luke 2:7). Water and light (truth) flowed from Him (John 7:37-38, 8:12). And one day, He will finally tabernacle among men forever (Revelation 21:3).
New Testament mentions
The Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned several times in the New Testament, both referring to its literal observance during Jesus’ earthly ministry as well as containing rich symbolic meaning:
- Jesus was secretly urged to go the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:2-10. He declined at first but later went secretly.
- During the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37-39). This symbolized the water pouring rite pointing to the Holy Spirit to be given after His glorification.
- The large lampstands lit at the Feast gave occasion for Jesus to call Himself the “light of the world” (John 8:12).
- Some sought to arrest Jesus at the Feast, but His time had not yet come (John 7:30, 44).
- In John 12:12-15, the triumphal entry occurred as Jesus entered Jerusalem amidst the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. Some think elements of the Feast of Tabernacles were also involved, as people waved palm branches and cried “Hosanna.”
The imagery and activities of the Feast of Tabernacles are richly symbolic of Jesus’ ministry and purpose. He is the light, the bread of life, and the one who poured out the Holy Spirit to quench our thirst forever.
Observance in the Millennial Kingdom
The Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated again by the nations during the Messianic kingdom reign of Jesus. Key details include:
- The Feast will be celebrated annually by all nations during the Millennium (Zechariah 14:16-19).
- Any nation that refuses to attend will receive no rain, depicting God’s judgment (Zechariah 14:17-18).
- The Feast will commemorate God’s deliverance, provision, and dwelling among His people Israel.
- Elements like booths and the water pouring rite make take on new meaning in memorializing the past.
The ultimate fulfillment of Tabernacles will occur in eternity when God finally dwells with His people forever. The temporary booth gives way to the New Heavens and New Earth where there is no more sin, pain or death (Revelation 21:3-4).
Key Themes and Spiritual Meanings
The Feast of Tabernacles contains rich themes and imagery conveying important spiritual truths:
- God’s faithfulness and provision – By protecting Israel in the wilderness, He displayed His loving watchcare.
- Our dependence on God – Israel’s tent dwelling displayed their frailty and dependence on God’s mercy and grace.
- A future hope and restoration – The feast will be observed again in the Millennium, anticipating the New Heavens and New Earth.
- Longing for our eternal home – Our earthly lives are but temporary dwellings on the way to our eternal home (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).
- A joyous celebration – Israel rejoiced wildly at this feast. We too can rejoice in God’s goodness.
For Christians today, the Feast of Tabernacles displays the wonder of the Incarnation. Jesus “tabernacled” among us that we might draw near to God. It foreshadows the glory when Christ will dwell among His people forever.
Questions and Controversies
Over the centuries, the Feast of Tabernacles has raised some questions and controversies, including:
- Permanent dwellings – Some wonder if Jews today may build permanent dwellings for the feast rather than temporary booths.
- Sukkah locations – Can the booths be built anywhere or do they need to be in Jerusalem?
- Pilgrimage requirement – Do Jewish males today need to “appear before the Lord” in Jerusalem as commanded?
- Prophetic fulfillment – How do Jesus’ actions at the Feast fulfill its prophetic symbolism?
- Kingdom observance – What elements may change when the Feast is observed again during the Millennium?
There is much diversity today in how Jews observe the Feast of Tabernacles, often adapting it to their local climate and situation. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem is no longer followed since there is no temple. While specifics may change, the feast remains a joyous time to celebrate God’s goodness and anticipate the coming Messianic age.
Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles Today
For Jews today, the Feast of Tabernacles remains an important and joyous fall holiday celebration:
- Building a sukkah booth is central, though it may be permanent and decorated in various ways.
- Special scriptures like Ecclesiastes are read and the four species waved during the feast.
- Families eat meals together in the sukkah, celebrate with singing and dancing, and decorate with harvest fruits.
- The holiday looks forward to the future world to come and the advent of the Messiah.
- It serves as a reminder of God’s past provision and deliverance of His people.
For Christians, the Feast of Tabernacles is full of rich symbolism about Jesus as the light of the world who tabernacled among us. It inspires us to celebrate Emmanuel, God with us, while looking forward to His return and eternal reign.
Conclusion
The Feast of Tabernacles is one of the most joyous and prophetic biblical holidays on the Jewish calendar. As one of the pilgrimage festivals instituted in the Torah, it brought all Israelite men together in Jerusalem each year to celebrate God’s goodness and anticipate His future restoration. Many elements like booths, water pouring, and lights are rich in imagery that ultimately foreshadow Jesus the Messiah. The Feast reminds God’s people of His faithful provision and points us ahead with hope to the day when He will dwell among us forever in the New Heavens and New Earth. The Feast of Tabernacles beautifully symbolizes God’s desire to be Immanuel, God with us, both now and for all eternity.