Exodus 23:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.

NIV: "Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. "Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.

NASB: Also you shall keep the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.

CSB: Also observe the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of your produce from what you sow in the field, and observe the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.

NLT: Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest. 'Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields.

KJV: And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

NKJV: and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.

Exodus 23:13–19 establishes laws about feast days for the nation of Israel. This mandates three festivals: Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:17–19), Harvest (Leviticus 23:15–17), and Ingathering (Leviticus 23:39–43). These are also known as the Feasts of Passover, Weeks, and Booths (Deuteronomy 16:16; Luke 22:1). All Israelite men must bring sacrifices to the Lord's appointed place at these times.

These laws mandate fair judgment, with no bias given for or against the rich, the poor, or foreign travelers. God commands Israel not to follow popular sentiment when it is unjust. Other rules require letting fields grow wild every seven years for the benefit of the land, the poor, and wild animals. The Lord then warns Israel about obedience. If they follow His will, an angel will guide them as they conquer the entire Promised Land (Genesis 15:18–21; Deuteronomy 11:24).

After receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17), Israel learns other laws from the Lord. Chapters 21 and 22 covered topics such as servants' rights, homicide, negligence, theft, and social justice. This chapter mandates certain yearly festivals and forbids bias in judgments. It also instructs Israel regarding their upcoming conquest of the Promised Land. Chapter 24 describes a ritual confirmation of the Mosaic covenant. Most chapters after that involve details of the tabernacle.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.