festival, feast, celebrate

Definition

In general, a festival is a celebration held by a community of people.

• The word for “festival” in the Old Testament literally means “appointed time.”
• The festivals celebrated by the Israelites were specially appointed times or seasons that God had commanded them to observe.
• In some English translations, the word “feast” is used instead of festival because the celebrations included having a large meal together.
• There were several main festivals that the Israelites celebrated every year:

• Passover
• Festival of Unleavened Bread
• Firstfruits
• Festival of Weeks (Pentecost)
• Festival of Trumpets
• Day of Atonement
• Festival of Shelters

• The purpose of these festivals was to thank God and to remember the amazing things he had done to rescue, protect, and provide for his people.

(See also: feast)

Bible References

• 1 Chronicles 23:31
• 2 Chronicles 8:13
• Exodus 5:1
• John 4:45
• Luke 22:1

Word Data

• Strong’s: H1974, H2166, H2282, H2287, H6213, H4150, G14560, G18580, G18590