feast of tabernacles / Sukkot

The first mention of the Feast of Tabernacles is in Leviticus 23, where God outlines His appointed festivals to Moses.

Leviticus 23:33–34 (CSB)
The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites: The Festival of Shelters to the Lord begins on the fifteenth day of this seventh month and continues for seven days.”

This passage marks the introduction of the feast, which commemorates the Israelites’ wilderness journey after the Exodus, during which they lived in temporary shelters.

Biblical Instructions (CSB):

From Leviticus 23:39–43, here are the main instructions:

• When to celebrate: Begins on the 15th day of the seventh month (Tishrei) after the harvest.
  Duration: Lasts for seven days, with an eighth day as a closing assembly.
  Booths: Live in temporary shelters ("booths") for seven days.
  Rejoice: It is a joyful celebration (Leviticus 23:40).
  Offerings: Sacrifices and offerings were to be made daily (see also Numbers 29:12–38).
   

Leviticus 23:42–43 (CSB)
“You are to live in shelters for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in shelters, so that your generations may know that I made the Israelites live in shelters when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.”
 

Modern Application:

While many Christians do not observe it traditionally, the Feast of Tabernacles can still have spiritual application:

• Remembering God’s provision: Reflect on how God provides during seasons of uncertainty.
• Rejoicing in God's presence: Celebrate God's faithfulness and presence among His people.
• Spiritual pilgrimage: View life as a temporary dwelling, longing for the eternal home (see Hebrews 11:13–16).
   

Some Christian communities (especially Messianic Jews) continue to celebrate this feast as a way of honoring God's appointed times and connecting with the biblical roots of their faith.

Leviticus 23:34 (CSB)
“Tell the Israelites: The Festival of Shelters to the Lord begins on the fifteenth day of this seventh month and continues for seven days.”
 

• The 7th month on the Hebrew calendar is Tishrei (September–October on the Gregorian calendar).
• Begins on Tishrei 15 and ends on Tishrei 21, with Tishrei 22 as a solemn assembly (Shemini Atzeret).

 Changes:

• Early Christianity, especially among Gentiles, gradually ceased observing biblical feasts, including Tabernacles.
• Council of Nicaea (AD 325) and later church decisions increasingly separated Christianity from Jewish practices.
• The church developed new festivals (e.g., Easter, Christmas), not based on the biblical feast calendar.
   

Who made these changes?

• Church leaders such as Constantine and others during the 4th century led efforts to unify the Christian calendar while distancing from Jewish observances.
   

Does the Bible indicate that God changed the Feast of Tabernacles?

No, the Bible does not state that God abolished or changed the Feast of Tabernacles.
 

In fact, prophetic books like Zechariah point to its future observance:

Zechariah 14:16 (CSB)
“Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of Armies, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters.”
 

This suggests a future global observance, possibly in the Messianic kingdom.

 Old Testament – Origins and Instructions

• Leviticus 23:33–43
  “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days... You shall live in temporary shelters for seven days... so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt.’”
• Numbers 29:12–38
  Details the offerings and sacrifices to be made during the feast.
• Zechariah 14:16–19
  “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.”
   

New Testament – Fulfillment and Significance

• John 1:14
  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling [tabernacled] among us. We have seen his glory...”
• Revelation 21:3
  “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.”