Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "holiday" is closely related to the idea of "holy days" or "feasts," which are times set apart for religious observance and celebration. These days are often marked by rest from regular work, worship, and communal gatherings. The Bible outlines several key holidays that were instituted by God for the Israelites, each with its own significance and prescribed observances.Sabbath The Sabbath is the first and most foundational of the biblical holidays. Instituted by God at creation, the Sabbath is a day of rest on the seventh day of the week. In Exodus 20:8-10 , the commandment is given: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." The Sabbath serves as a weekly reminder of God's creation and His covenant with His people. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread Passover is one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. In Exodus 12:14 , God commands, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows Passover and lasts for seven days, during which no leavened bread is to be eaten, symbolizing the haste of the Israelites' departure from Egypt. Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) The Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, occurs fifty days after Passover. It is a harvest festival that celebrates the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. Leviticus 23:15-16 instructs, "From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you are to count seven full weeks. You shall count fifty days until the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD." In the New Testament, Pentecost gains additional significance as the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles (Acts 2). Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) The Feast of Trumpets marks the beginning of the civil year in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of rest and is celebrated with the blowing of trumpets. Leviticus 23:24 states, "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts." Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) The Day of Atonement is the most solemn of the biblical holidays, a day dedicated to fasting, prayer, and repentance. Leviticus 16:29-30 commands, "This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must humble yourselves and not do any work... because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD." Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, is a week-long celebration that commemorates the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and God's provision during that time. Leviticus 23:42-43 instructs, "You are to live in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in booths, so that your descendants may know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt." Purim and Hanukkah While not instituted in the Torah, Purim and Hanukkah are Jewish holidays that have biblical roots. Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot, as recorded in the Book of Esther. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, an event mentioned in the books of the Maccabees. Christian Observances In the New Testament era, the early Christians began to observe the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which became known as Easter, and His birth, celebrated as Christmas. While these holidays are not directly commanded in Scripture, they have become central to Christian worship and tradition, reflecting the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the new covenant established through Christ. Throughout the Bible, holidays serve as times of remembrance, worship, and community, drawing believers closer to God and to one another. They are opportunities to reflect on God's faithfulness, provision, and the redemptive work accomplished through Jesus Christ. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A consecrated day; religious anniversary; a day set apart in honor of some person, or in commemoration of some event. See Holyday.2. (n.) A day of exemption from labor; a day of amusement and gayety; a festival day. 3. (n.) A day fixed by law for suspension of business; a legal holiday. 4. (a.) of or pertaining to a festival; cheerful; joyous; gay. 5. (a.) Occurring rarely; adapted for a special occasion. Greek 4980. scholazo -- to be at leisure, hence to devote oneself to ... From schole; to take a holiday, ie Be at leisure for (by implication, devote oneself wholly to); figuratively, to be vacant (of a house) -- empty, give self. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4980.htm - 6k 2121. eukairos -- timely Strong's Hebrew 2287. chagag -- to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast... 1), observe (1), reeled (1). celebrate, dance, keep, hold a solemn feast holiday, reel to and fro. A primitive root (compare chagra ... /hebrew/2287.htm - 6k 2010. hanachah -- a giving of rest 7677. shabbathon -- sabbath observance, sabbatism 6116. atsarah -- an assembly 3117. yom -- day 2896a. tob -- pleasant, agreeable, good Library Off Duty Unexpected Orders Home and the Home-Maker. Christmas and the Aesthetes Prayer and vigilance Psalm XLII. The victory of Faith. Baptism not to be Presumptously Received it Requires Preceding ... Special Efforts The Entry into Jerusalem. Thesaurus Holiday (5 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) A day fixed by law for suspension of business; a legal holiday. 4. (a.) of or pertaining to a festival; cheerful; joyous; gay. ...Holiday (5 Occurrences). ... /h/holiday.htm - 8k Holiday-making (1 Occurrence) Liberality (7 Occurrences) Grandees (1 Occurrence) Festal (12 Occurrences) Feast (209 Occurrences) Release (61 Occurrences) Eve (5 Occurrences) Esther's (4 Occurrences) Dress (38 Occurrences) Resources Is Easter a pagan holiday? | GotQuestions.orgIs Christmas a pagan holiday? | GotQuestions.org What is the origin of Christmas? | GotQuestions.org Holiday: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Holiday (5 Occurrences)Mark 6:21 Esther 2:18 Esther 8:17 Esther 9:19 Esther 9:22 Subtopics Related Terms |
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