CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 23:17 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/23-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/02_Exo_23_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 23:17 - Three Yearly Feasts" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/23-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/23-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/23-16.htm" title="Exodus 23:16">◄</a> Exodus 23:17 <a href="/exodus/23-18.htm" title="Exodus 23:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your men must come to these three festivals each year to worship me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"These are the three times each year that all your men must come into the presence of the Master, the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Every year at these three festivals all your men must come to worship me, the Lord your God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Three times a year all your males shall appear in the presence of the Lord GOD."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />At three times in the year all your males will appear before the Lord GOD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Three times in a year all your males appear before [the] face of the Lord YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Three times in a year do all thy males appear before the face of the Lord Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Three times in the year every male of thine shall be seen to the face of the Lord Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thrice a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Three times a year, all your males shall appear before the Lord your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Three times a year shall all your men appear before the LORD God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Three times in the year all your gift offerings shall appear before the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Three times in a year all your commemorations shall appear before LORD JEHOVAH your God.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/23-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5875" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">Three Yearly Feasts</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šā·lōš (Number-fs) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">Three</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: pə·‘ā·mîm (N-fp) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively.">times</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: baš·šā·nāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">a year</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2138.htm" title="2138: zə·ḵū·rə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A male. Properly, passive participle of zakar, but used for zakar; a male.">your males</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: yê·rā·’eh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">are to appear</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: hā·’ā·ḏōn (Art:: N-ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">the Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">GOD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>You must not offer the blood of My sacrifices with anything leavened, nor may the fat of My feast remain until morning.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Deuteronomy 16:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/8-13.htm">2 Chronicles 8:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-25.htm">1 Kings 9:25</a></span><br />Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/23-4.htm">Leviticus 23:4-44</a></span><br />These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. / The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. / 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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-11.htm">Deuteronomy 31:11</a></span><br />when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-21.htm">2 Chronicles 30:21-23</a></span><br />The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD. / And Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD. For seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers. / The whole assembly agreed to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/35-17.htm">2 Chronicles 35:17-19</a></span><br />The Israelites who were present also observed the Passover at that time, as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. / No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present, and the people of Jerusalem. / In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/8-17.htm">Nehemiah 8:17-18</a></span><br />The whole assembly that had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great rejoicing. / Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. The Israelites kept the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly, according to the ordinance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/84-7.htm">Psalm 84:7</a></span><br />They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-12.htm">Isaiah 1:12</a></span><br />When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-41.htm">Luke 2:41-42</a></span><br />Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. / And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-2.htm">John 7:2</a></span><br />However, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-1.htm">Acts 2:1</a></span><br />When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-16.htm">Acts 20:16</a></span><br />Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Three items in the year all your males shall appear before the LORD God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-23.htm">Exodus 34:23</a></b></br> Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5</a></b></br> But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, <i>even</i> unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Deuteronomy 16:16</a></b></br> 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:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/23-15.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/exodus/18-7.htm">Face</a> <a href="/numbers/4-32.htm">Items</a> <a href="/exodus/13-15.htm">Males</a> <a href="/exodus/19-18.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/genesis/15-8.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Three</a> <a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/34-20.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/exodus/23-28.htm">Face</a> <a href="/numbers/4-32.htm">Items</a> <a href="/exodus/34-19.htm">Males</a> <a href="/exodus/25-30.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/exodus/34-23.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/exodus/25-32.htm">Three</a> <a href="/exodus/25-30.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Of slander, false witness, and partiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Of charitableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Of justice in judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Of taking bribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Of oppressing a stranger</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Of the year of rest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Of the Sabbath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Of the three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm">Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Three times a year</b><br>This phrase refers to the three major pilgrimage festivals in ancient Israel: the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). These festivals were times of communal worship and celebration, marking significant events in Israel's history and agricultural calendar. The requirement to observe these festivals highlights the importance of regular, communal worship and remembrance of God's provision and deliverance.<p><b>all your males</b><br>In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, males were often seen as representatives of their households. This requirement underscores the patriarchal structure of society at the time. The presence of males at these festivals was a way to ensure that each family was represented in the worship and covenant renewal before God. It also reflects the communal nature of worship in Israel, where the community gathered as a whole to honor God.<p><b>are to appear before</b><br>The phrase "appear before" indicates a formal presentation or coming into the presence of God. This was not merely a physical journey but a spiritual act of worship and submission. The act of appearing before God was a reminder of His sovereignty and the Israelites' covenant relationship with Him. It was a time for the people to renew their commitment to God and receive His blessings.<p><b>the Lord GOD</b><br>The use of "the Lord GOD" emphasizes the divine authority and covenantal relationship between God and Israel. "Lord" (YHWH) is the personal name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness, while "GOD" (Elohim) denotes His power and majesty. This dual title underscores the reverence and awe with which the Israelites were to approach these festivals. It also points to the centrality of God in their national and religious life, as well as foreshadowing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is seen as the embodiment of God's presence and authority.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were given the Law through Moses. This command was directed to them as part of their covenant relationship with God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord_god.htm">The Lord GOD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature. He is the one who commands the Israelites to appear before Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pilgrimage_festivals.htm">The Pilgrimage Festivals</a></b><br>These are the three times a year when the males of Israel were required to appear before God. These festivals include Passover, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Tabernacles.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle/temple.htm">The Tabernacle/Temple</a></b><br>The designated place where the Israelites were to gather and worship God during these festivals.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who received the Law from God and communicated it to the people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The requirement for all males to appear before God emphasizes the importance of obedience in our relationship with Him. It is a reminder that God desires our presence and commitment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_worship.htm">Community Worship</a></b><br>These gatherings were not just individual acts of obedience but communal events that strengthened the unity and faith of the Israelites. Similarly, believers today are called to gather and worship together.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_renewal.htm">Spiritual Renewal</a></b><br>The festivals provided opportunities for spiritual renewal and reflection. In our lives, regular times of worship and reflection can help us stay aligned with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_provision.htm">God's Sovereignty and Provision</a></b><br>By commanding these appearances, God reminded the Israelites of His sovereignty and provision. Trusting in God's provision is a key aspect of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_festivals.htm">Symbolism of the Festivals</a></b><br>Each festival pointed to a deeper spiritual truth and foreshadowed the work of Christ. Understanding these connections enriches our appreciation of God's redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'i_desire_mercy'_mean.htm">What is the Feast of Unleavened Bread?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/extra-biblical_proof_of_tribes_in_jerusalem.htm">Psalm 122:4–5: Is there extra-biblical proof that all the tribes frequently gathered in Jerusalem to give thanks? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_feasible_were_30,000_sacrifices.htm">How could 2 Chronicles 35:7’s massive number of sacrificed animals (30,000 lambs and goats) be logistically and historically feasible? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_moses's_hands_affect_battle.htm">How can Moses's raised hands alone affect the outcome of a battle (Exodus 17:11)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Three times in the year.</span>--The terms of this verse, as compared with <a href="/exodus/23-14.htm" title="Three times you shall keep a feast to me in the year.">Exodus 23:14</a>, limit the observance of the three festivals to the males, but add the important requirement of personal attendance at a given place. By "all thy males" we must understand all of full age and not incapacitated by infirmity or illness.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord God</span>. This seems to moderns a very burthensome enactment. But we must remember that Palestine is not bigger than Wales, and that great gatherings had great attractions for many in the ancient world, when they were the only means by which information was spread, and almost the only occasions on which friends and relations who lived far apart could expect to see each other. The European Greeks had, in their Olympian and other games, similar great gatherings, which occurred once or twice in each year, and, though under no obligation to do so, attended them in enormous numbers. It may be doubted if the religious Hebrews <span class="accented">felt</span> the obligation of attendance to be a burthen. It was assuredly a matter of great importance, as tending to unity, and to the quickening of the national life, that they should be drawn so continually to one centre, and be so frequently united in one common worship. Most students of antiquity regard the Greek games as having exerted a strong unifying influence over the scattered members of the Grecian family. The Hebrew festivals, occurring so much more frequently, and required to be attended by <span class="accented">all</span>, must have had a similar, but much greater, effect of the same kind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/23-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Three</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁלֹ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·lōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">times</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּעָמִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(pə·‘ā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6471.htm">Strong's 6471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a year</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your males</span><br /><span class="heb">זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔</span> <span class="translit">(zə·ḵū·rə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2138.htm">Strong's 2138: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are to appear</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵרָאֶה֙</span> <span class="translit">(yê·rā·’eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Lord</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָדֹ֥ן ׀</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·ḏōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Lord</span><br /><br /><span class="word">GOD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/23-17.htm">Exodus 23:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/23-17.htm">OT Law: Exodus 23:17 Three times in the year all your (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/23-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 23:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 23:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>