Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed: New Living Translation “Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the LORD without a gift for him. English Standard Version “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Berean Standard Bible Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. Berean Literal Bible Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the face of YHWH your God in the place that He chooses: At the Feast of the Unleavened, and at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. And they shall not appear before the face of YHWH emptily— King James Bible Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: New King James Version “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. New American Standard Bible “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths; and they are not to appear before the LORD empty-handed. NASB 1995 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. NASB 1977 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Legacy Standard Bible “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before Yahweh your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before Yahweh empty-handed. Amplified Bible “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) and at the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Berean Annotated Bible Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. Christian Standard Bible “All your males are to appear three times a year before the LORD your God in the place he chooses: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Shelters. No one is to appear before the LORD empty-handed. Holman Christian Standard Bible All your males are to appear three times a year before the LORD your God in the place He chooses: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths. No one is to appear before the LORD empty-handed. American Standard Version Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose: in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before Jehovah empty: Contemporary English Version Each year there are three festivals when all Israelite men must go to the place where the LORD chooses to be worshiped. These are the Festival of Thin Bread, the Harvest Festival, and the Festival of Shelters. And don't forget to take along a gift for the LORD. English Revised Version Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: GOD'S WORD® Translation Three times a year all your men must come into the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Booths. But no one may come into the presence of the LORD without an offering. Good News Translation "All the men of your nation are to come to worship the LORD three times a year at the one place of worship: at Passover, Harvest Festival, and the Festival of Shelters. Each man is to bring a gift International Standard Version "Every male must appear in the presence of the LORD your God three times a year at the place where he will choose: for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Seven Weeks, and the Festival of Tents. He must not appear in the LORD's presence empty-handed, NET Bible Three times a year all your males must appear before the LORD your God in the place he chooses for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Temporary Shelters; and they must not appear before him empty-handed. New Heart English Bible Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the LORD your God in the place which he shall choose: in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tents; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Webster's Bible Translation Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThree times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. World English Bible Three times in a year all of your males shall appear before Yahweh your God in the place which he chooses: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths. They shall not appear before Yahweh empty. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThree times in a year all of your males appear before your God YHWH in the place which He chooses: in the Celebration of Unleavened Things, and in the Celebration of Weeks, and in the Celebration of Shelters; and they do not appear before YHWH empty; Berean Literal Bible Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the face of YHWH your God in the place that He chooses: At the Feast of the Unleavened, and at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths. And they shall not appear before the face of YHWH emptily— Young's Literal Translation 'Three times in a year doth every one of thy males appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which He doth choose -- in the feast of unleavened things, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths; and they do not appear before Jehovah empty; Smith's Literal Translation Three times in a year shall every one of thy males be seen before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose in the festival of unleavened, and in the festival of weeks, and in the festival of booths: and he shall not be seen before Jehovah empty: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThree times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. No one shall appear with his hands empty before the Lord: Catholic Public Domain Version Three times a year, all your males shall appear in the sight the Lord your God in the place which he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles. No one shall appear before the Lord empty. New American Bible Three times a year, then, all your males shall appear before the LORD, your God, in the place which he will choose: at the feast of Unleavened Bread, at the feast of Weeks, and at the feast of Booths. They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed, New Revised Standard Version Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose: at the festival of unleavened bread, at the festival of weeks, and at the festival of booths. They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThree times in a year shall all your memorial gifts be brought before the LORD your God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of the tabernacles; and you shall not appear before the LORD your God empty-handed; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Three times in a year your memorials shall appear before LORD JEHOVAH your God in the place He has chosen: in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths, and you shall not appear before LORD JEHOVAH your God with nothing: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose; on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the feast of weeks, and on the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty; Brenton Septuagint Translation Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: thou shalt not appear before the Lord thy God empty. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Feast of Tabernacles…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. 16Three times a year all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. 17Everyone must appear with a gift as he is able, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you.… Cross References Three times a year Exodus 23:14 Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me. 2 Chronicles 8:13 He observed the daily requirement for offerings according to the commandment of Moses for Sabbaths, New Moons, and the three annual appointed feasts—the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. all your men are to appear before the LORD your God Exodus 34:23 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. Exodus 23:17 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD. in the place He will choose: Deuteronomy 12:5 Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. Deuteronomy 12:11 then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD. Deuteronomy 12:14 you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you. at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Exodus 12:17 So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come. Leviticus 23:6-8 On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. / On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any regular work. / For seven days you are to present a food offering to the LORD. On the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.’” Numbers 28:17 On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten. the Feast of Weeks, Exodus 34:22 And you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. Leviticus 23:15-21 From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count off seven full weeks. / You shall count off fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD. / Bring two loaves of bread from your dwellings as a wave offering, each made from two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with leaven, as the firstfruits to the LORD. … Numbers 28:26-31 On the day of firstfruits, when you present an offering of new grain to the LORD during the Feast of Weeks, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. / Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, / together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, … and the Feast of Tabernacles. Leviticus 23:34 “Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Feast of Tabernacles to the LORD begins, and it continues for seven days. Leviticus 23:42-43 You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths, / so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’” Zechariah 14:16 Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Treasury of Scripture Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the LORD your God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Three times Exodus 23:14-17 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year… Exodus 34:22,23 And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end… 1 Kings 9:25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house. and they shall Exodus 23:15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) Exodus 34:20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. 1 Chronicles 29:3-9,14-17 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, … Jump to Previous Appear Booths Bread Choose Chooses Empty Empty-Handed Males Tabernacles Tents Three Times Unleavened WeeksJump to Next Appear Booths Bread Choose Chooses Empty Empty-Handed Males Tabernacles Tents Three Times Unleavened WeeksDeuteronomy 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 Three times a year This phrase refers to the three major pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel, which were central to the religious life of the nation. These festivals were times of communal worship and celebration, reflecting the agricultural calendar and God's provision. all your men are to appear before the LORD your God in the place He will choose at the Feast of Unleavened Bread the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who commands the observance of these feasts. 2. Israelite Men The male members of the Israelite community who are required to appear before the LORD. 3. The Place He Will Choose Refers to the central place of worship, which later becomes Jerusalem. 4. Feast of Unleavened Bread A festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, beginning with Passover. 5. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) Celebrates the giving of the Torah at Sinai and the wheat harvest. 6. Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) A festival of thanksgiving for the harvest and remembrance of the Israelites' wilderness journey. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe requirement for all men to appear before the LORD emphasizes the importance of obedience in worship. It is a reminder that worship is not optional but a commanded act of devotion. Community and Unity in Worship These feasts were communal events, fostering unity among the Israelites. In the same way, corporate worship today strengthens the body of Christ and builds community. Generosity in Worship The instruction not to appear empty-handed teaches the principle of giving as an integral part of worship. It encourages believers to bring their best to God, reflecting gratitude and trust in His provision. Remembrance and Thanksgiving Each feast serves as a reminder of God’s past faithfulness and provision. Christians are called to remember and give thanks for God’s work in their lives, both individually and collectively. Anticipation of Fulfillment in Christ These feasts point forward to their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is our Passover Lamb, the giver of the Spirit, and the one who tabernacles among us. Believers are encouraged to see Christ in the feasts and live in anticipation of His return. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 16:16?2. How can we honor God through the "three times a year" gatherings today? 3. What is the significance of appearing "before the LORD" in Deuteronomy 16:16? 4. How does Deuteronomy 16:16 connect with New Testament teachings on worship? 5. Why is it important to not "appear before the LORD empty-handed"? 6. How can we apply the principles of Deuteronomy 16:16 in our church community? 7. Why does Deuteronomy 16:16 emphasize appearing before the LORD three times a year? 8. What is the significance of the three festivals mentioned in Deuteronomy 16:16? 9. How does Deuteronomy 16:16 relate to the concept of pilgrimage in ancient Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 16? 11. Why does Psalm 129:4 emphasize God’s righteousness when the text also calls for the enemies’ defeat—can both themes coexist without contradiction? 12. In Psalm 131:1, how can we be sure David actually wrote this psalm when authorship is disputed by some scholars? 13. Is there any historical or archaeological evidence indicating how Psalm 130 (a “Song of Ascents”) was used by ancient Israelites? 14. In Psalm 133:2, does the image of oil running down Aaron’s beard have literal historic authenticity or is it purely symbolic? What Does Deuteronomy 16:16 Mean Three times a yearGod establishes a rhythm of worship that anchors the nation. “Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me” (Exodus 23:14). By fixing worship to the agricultural calendar—spring, early summer, and autumn—He weaves remembrance of redemption into everyday life. Regular, tangible meetings guard against forgetfulness (Joshua 4:6-7) and encourage ongoing covenant faithfulness (Hebrews 10:24-25). All your men are to appear before the LORD your God The heads of households represent their families, acknowledging that everything under their care belongs to Yahweh (Deuteronomy 31:11-12; 1 Samuel 1:3). Male attendance doesn’t exclude women and children—Hannah and Mary joined in (1 Samuel 1:7; Luke 2:41-42)—but it does place spiritual responsibility on those entrusted with leadership (Ephesians 6:4). Corporate appearances reinforce unity: the nation gathers not as isolated clans, but as one people under one God (Psalm 122:1-4). In the place He will choose Centralizing worship prevents every tribe from inventing its own altar (Deuteronomy 12:5-7). Eventually that chosen place is Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 6:6). The focus is not geography but obedience: God designates the meeting point, and His people travel, demonstrating that convenience never outranks covenant loyalty (John 4:20-24). At the Feast of Unleavened Bread Linked to Passover, this feast recalls deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12:17). Removing leaven symbolizes breaking with sin (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Gathering in Jerusalem to eat unleavened bread roots every generation in the same story of rescue, pointing forward to Christ, “our Passover lamb” (Luke 22:1, 15-16). The Feast of Weeks Seven weeks after Passover, first-fruits of the wheat harvest are offered (Exodus 34:22). Israel thanks God for provision and celebrates the giving of the Law at Sinai. Pentecost in Acts 2 occurs on this very day; the Spirit’s outpouring is the first-fruits of the new creation harvest (James 1:18). The Feast of Tabernacles In autumn, Israel lives in booths for seven days (Leviticus 23:39-43). The flimsy shelters recall wilderness wanderings and proclaim God’s faithfulness. Joy marks the week (Deuteronomy 16:14-15). Prophets look ahead to universal observance when the nations stream to Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:16). Jesus stood in the temple during this feast and offered living water (John 7:2, 37-38), revealing Himself as its fulfillment. No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed Worship involves giving. Israel brings sacrifices proportionate to God’s blessing (Exodus 23:15; Proverbs 3:9). The principle persists: generosity flows from gratitude (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). Empty hands would deny both God’s provision and the worshiper’s dependence. summary Deuteronomy 16:16 commands Israel to gather three times a year at God’s chosen place, remember His saving acts, rejoice in His ongoing provision, and give back from what He supplied. The verse calls God’s people—then and now—to regular, unified, wholehearted worship marked by gratitude and giving, all of which point ultimately to Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb, the Lord of Pentecost, and the Fountain of Tabernacles joy. (16) Three times in a year.--So Exodus 23:17. And in Exodus 34:23-24 a promise is added that their land should be safe in their absence.Verses 16, 17. - (Cf. Exodus 23:17; Exodus 34:23.) The law is repeated here with the additional clause, "at the place which the Lord shall choose;" and the words, "not empty," are explained to mean with gifts according to the gift of their hands, according to the blessing of Jehovah their God, which he had given them.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Threeשָׁל֣וֹשׁ (šā·lō·wōš) Number - feminine singular Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice times פְּעָמִ֣ים ׀ (pə·‘ā·mîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence a year בַּשָּׁנָ֡ה (baš·šā·nāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8141: A year all כָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every your men זְכוּרְךָ֜ (zə·ḵū·rə·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2138: A male are to appear יֵרָאֶ֨ה (yê·rā·’eh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see before פְּנֵ֣י ׀ (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative in the place בַּמָּקוֹם֙ (bam·mā·qō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition He will choose: יִבְחָ֔ר (yiḇ·ḥār) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 977: To try, select at the Feast בְּחַ֧ג (bə·ḥaḡ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2282: A festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast of Unleavened Bread, הַמַּצּ֛וֹת (ham·maṣ·ṣō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 4682: Sweetness, sweet, an unfermented cake, loaf, the festival of Passover the Feast וּבְחַ֥ג (ū·ḇə·ḥaḡ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2282: A festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast of Weeks, הַשָּׁבֻע֖וֹת (haš·šā·ḇu·‘ō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 7620: A period of seven (days, years), heptad, week and the Feast וּבְחַ֣ג (ū·ḇə·ḥaḡ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2282: A festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast of Tabernacles הַסֻּכּ֑וֹת (has·suk·kō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5521: A thicket, booth No one וְלֹ֧א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no should appear יֵרָאֶ֛ה (yê·rā·’eh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see before פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel empty-handed. רֵיקָֽם׃ (rê·qām) Adverb Strong's 7387: Emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly Links Deuteronomy 16:16 NIVDeuteronomy 16:16 NLT Deuteronomy 16:16 ESV Deuteronomy 16:16 NASB Deuteronomy 16:16 KJV Deuteronomy 16:16 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 16:16 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 16:16 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 16:16 French Bible Deuteronomy 16:16 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all (Deut. 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