Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Be joyful at your festival—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. New Living Translation This festival will be a happy time of celebrating with your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows from your towns. English Standard Version You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns. Berean Standard Bible And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. Berean Literal Bible And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow who is within your gates. King James Bible And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. New King James Version And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. New American Standard Bible and you shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son and your daughter, and your male and female slaves, and the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow who are in your towns. NASB 1995 and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. NASB 1977 and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. Legacy Standard Bible and you shall be glad in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female slaves and the Levite and the sojourner and the orphan and the widow who are within your gates. Amplified Bible You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are within your city. Berean Annotated Bible And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. Christian Standard Bible Rejoice during your festival—you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, as well as the Levite, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates. Holman Christian Standard Bible Rejoice during your festival—you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, as well as the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates. American Standard Version and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. English Revised Version and thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. GOD'S WORD® Translation Enjoy yourselves at the festival along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your cities. Good News Translation Enjoy it with your children, your servants, and the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. International Standard Version Rejoice in your festival—you, your son, your daughter, your male and female slaves, the descendants of Levi, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your cities. NET Bible You are to rejoice in your festival, you, your son, your daughter, your male and female slaves, the Levites, the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows who are in your villages. New Heart English Bible and you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your male servant, and your female servant, and the Levite, and the foreigner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your gates. Webster's Bible Translation And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. World English Bible You shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have rejoiced in your celebration, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your handmaid, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who [are] within your gates. Berean Literal Bible And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow who is within your gates. Young's Literal Translation and thou hast rejoiced in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are within thy gates. Smith's Literal Translation And rejoice in thy festival, thou and thy son and thy daughter, and thy servant, and thy maid, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, which are in thy gates: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thou shalt make merry in thy festival time, thou, thy son, and thy daughter, thy manservant, and thy maidservant, the Levite also and the stranger, and the fatherless and the widow that are within thy gates. Catholic Public Domain Version And you shall feast at the time of your festival: you, your son and daughter, your man servant and woman servant, likewise the Levite and the new arrival, the orphan and the widow, who are within your gates. New American Bible You shall rejoice at your feast, together with your son and daughter, your male and female slave, and also the Levite, the resident alien, the orphan and the widow within your gates. New Revised Standard Version Rejoice during your festival, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, as well as the Levites, the strangers, the orphans, and the widows resident in your towns. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your manservant and your maidservant and the Levite, the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow who is within your towns. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And rejoice in your feast, you and your son, and your daughter, and your Servant, and your Maid, and the Levite, and the orphan, and the widow, and the settler who is in your city. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow that is in thy cities. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Feast of Tabernacles13You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. 14And you shall rejoice in your feast— you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. 15For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.… Cross References And you shall rejoice in your feast— Deuteronomy 14:26 Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household. Leviticus 23:40 On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. Nehemiah 8:12 Then all the people began to eat and drink, to send out portions, and to rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that had been made known to them. you, your sons and daughters, Deuteronomy 31:12-13 Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. / Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Joshua 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them. 2 Chronicles 20:13 Meanwhile all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, were standing before the LORD. your menservants and maidservants, Exodus 12:44 But any slave who has been purchased may eat of it, after you have circumcised him. Exodus 20:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. Deuteronomy 5:14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. and the Levite, Deuteronomy 14:27 And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you. Deuteronomy 26:11-13 So you shall rejoice—you, the Levite, and the foreigner dwelling among you—in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. / When you have finished laying aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you are to give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat and be filled within your gates. / Then you shall declare in the presence of the LORD your God, “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all the commandments You have given me. I have not transgressed or forgotten Your commandments. Numbers 18:20-21 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. / Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. as well as the foreigner, Exodus 12:48-49 If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. / The same law shall apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.” Leviticus 19:33-34 When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. / You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Numbers 15:15-16 The assembly is to have the same statute both for you and for the foreign resident; it is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD. / The same law and the same ordinance will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing with you.” the fatherless, and the widows among you. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates. / Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands. Treasury of Scripture And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates. Deuteronomy 12:12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. Deuteronomy 26:11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. Nehemiah 8:9-12 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law… Jump to Previous Aliens Child Country Daughter Daughters Joy Joyful Levite Maidservant Maid-Servant Maidservants Male Manservant Man-Servant Menservants Orphan Rejoice Servant Servants Sojourner Strange Stranger Towns Widow Widows Within Woman-ServantJump to Next Aliens Child Country Daughter Daughters Joy Joyful Levite Maidservant Maid-Servant Maidservants Male Manservant Man-Servant Menservants Orphan Rejoice Servant Servants Sojourner Strange Stranger Towns Widow Widows Within Woman-ServantDeuteronomy 16 1. The feast of the Passover9. of weeks 13. of tabernacles 16. Every male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts 18. Of judges and justice 21. Asherah poles and images are forbidden And you shall rejoice in your feast— The command to rejoice during the feast highlights the importance of joy in worship and community life. This feast refers to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the harvest. It is a reminder of God's provision and faithfulness. The act of rejoicing is not merely an emotional response but a commanded act of worship, reflecting the joy found in God's presence (Psalm 16:11). you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. Persons / Places / Events 1. You (the Israelites)- The primary audience of the command, referring to the Israelites who are instructed to celebrate the feast. 2. Son and Daughter - Represents the family unit, emphasizing the inclusion of all family members in the celebration. 3. Male and Female Servants - Indicates the inclusion of those who serve within the household, highlighting equality and community. 4. The Levite - The tribe set apart for religious duties, often without land inheritance, relying on the community for support. 5. The Foreigner, Fatherless, and Widow - Groups often marginalized in society, underscoring God's concern for justice and inclusion. Teaching Points Joy in CommunityThe command to rejoice is not just personal but communal, involving everyone in the community. This teaches us the importance of shared joy and celebration in our faith communities today. Inclusivity and Equality The inclusion of servants, Levites, foreigners, the fatherless, and widows demonstrates God's heart for inclusivity. We are called to ensure that our celebrations and gatherings are open to all, especially those who might feel marginalized. Provision and Generosity The feasts were times of sharing God's provision. We are reminded to be generous with what God has given us, ensuring that everyone in our community can partake in the blessings. Remembrance and Worship The feasts were not just social events but acts of worship and remembrance of God's faithfulness. Our celebrations should also be opportunities to remember and worship God for His goodness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 16:14?2. How does Deuteronomy 16:14 encourage inclusivity during the Feast of Tabernacles? 3. Why is rejoicing emphasized for everyone, including "servants and foreigners," in this verse? 4. What connections exist between Deuteronomy 16:14 and New Testament teachings on joy? 5. How can we apply the principle of communal joy in our church today? 6. In what ways can we ensure everyone feels included in our celebrations? 7. How does Deuteronomy 16:14 emphasize the importance of joy in religious observance? 8. Why are specific groups mentioned in Deuteronomy 16:14 invited to celebrate the feast? 9. What historical context influenced the instructions in Deuteronomy 16:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 16? 11. Should Ezra have ordered abandoning foreign wives and children? 12. Why does Deuteronomy 10:19 command love for foreigners while other passages in Deuteronomy mandate severe treatment of certain nations? 13. Is God opposed to human enjoyment and happiness? 14. How do we reconcile the portrayal of lavish banquets in Esther 1 with other biblical condemnations of excess and opulence? What Does Deuteronomy 16:14 Mean And you shall rejoice in your feast• The opening words are an imperative: “And you shall rejoice in your feast” (Deuteronomy 16:14). Joy is not optional; God commands it. • The context is the Feast of Tabernacles, a weeklong celebration of God’s provision (Leviticus 23:39-40). • Rejoicing before the LORD keeps worship from becoming dry ritual (Psalm 100:2; Philippians 4:4). • True gladness springs from remembering God’s past faithfulness and anticipating His future blessings (Psalm 118:24). you, your sons and daughters • Celebration is a family affair. Parents model delight in God so children grow up seeing faith as joyful, not burdensome (Joshua 24:15). • Scripture frequently calls parents to pass the stories of redemption to the next generation (Psalm 78:4-7; Deuteronomy 6:6-7). • When children experience corporate rejoicing, it builds lifelong memories that tether their hearts to the Lord. your menservants and maidservants • Servants—employees in today’s terms—were to enjoy the same rest and festivity (Exodus 20:10). • God’s people must resist any two-tiered system in worship; everyone under our authority deserves refreshment (Colossians 4:1). • Including workers proclaims that God’s blessings overflow beyond biological family and social rank. and the Levite • Levites had no tribal land inheritance (Numbers 18:20), so they depended on God’s people for support (Deuteronomy 12:12). • Inviting spiritual leaders to rejoice guards against ministry fatigue and reminds the community that service to God is everyone’s responsibility (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). as well as the foreigner • Outsiders living among Israel were welcomed to the feast (Exodus 12:49). • God’s heart for the nations pulses throughout Scripture, culminating in every tribe and tongue worshiping the Lamb (Isaiah 56:6-7; Revelation 7:9-10). • Joyful hospitality becomes a living testimony that the covenant invites all who fear the LORD. the fatherless • Orphans often lack stability and voice, yet God calls Himself “Father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5). • Their inclusion reveals that divine joy is protective and restorative (Deuteronomy 24:17; Psalm 146:9). • When the vulnerable are embraced, the community mirrors God’s character. and the widows among you • Widows faced economic insecurity, so God repeatedly commands Israel to care for them (Exodus 22:22; James 1:27). • Sharing a feast mitigates their loneliness and affirms their value. • A church that celebrates with its widows preaches the gospel without words. summary Deuteronomy 16:14 teaches that God commands His people to celebrate His goodness with overflowing, inclusive joy. The feast is not a private party but a communal embrace that gathers family, workers, spiritual leaders, foreigners, orphans, and widows. By ensuring everyone tastes the same gladness, Israel—and today’s believers—display the heart of a God who delights to bless all who come to Him. Hebrew And you shall rejoiceוְשָׂמַחְתָּ֖ (wə·śā·maḥ·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome in your feast— בְּחַגֶּ֑ךָ (bə·ḥag·ge·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2282: A festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast you, אַתָּ֨ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you your sons וּבִנְךָ֤ (ū·ḇin·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son and daughters, וּבִתֶּ֙ךָ֙ (ū·ḇit·te·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1323: A daughter your menservants וְעַבְדְּךָ֣ (wə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant and maidservants, וַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ (wa·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave and the Levite, וְהַלֵּוִ֗י (wə·hal·lê·wî) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi as well as the foreigner, וְהַגֵּ֛ר (wə·hag·gêr) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner the fatherless, וְהַיָּת֥וֹם (wə·hay·yā·ṯō·wm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3490: A bereaved person and the widows וְהָאַלְמָנָ֖ה (wə·hā·’al·mā·nāh) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 490: A widow, a desolate place among you. בִּשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ׃ (biš·‘ā·re·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate Links Deuteronomy 16:14 NIVDeuteronomy 16:14 NLT Deuteronomy 16:14 ESV Deuteronomy 16:14 NASB Deuteronomy 16:14 KJV Deuteronomy 16:14 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 16:14 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 16:14 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 16:14 French Bible Deuteronomy 16:14 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 16:14 And you shall rejoice in your feast (Deut. De Du) |
    |