Deuteronomy 31:10 - Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tents,
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What does "Deuteronomy 31:10" mean?
Deuteronomy 31:10 (and the surrounding verses) outlines a commandment for publicly reading the Law of Moses every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles (also called the Feast of Tents or Sukkot). Let's break down the verse:
"Moses commanded them, saying...": This establishes the authority of the instruction, linking it directly to Moses and therefore, to God's will.
"At the end of every seven years...": This defines the timing of the event. It happens every seven years, coinciding with the "year of release" (or sabbatical year). The sabbatical year was a year of rest for the land, and also involved the cancellation of debts.
"in the set time of the year of release...": This emphasizes the specific year: the year when debts were to be remitted.
"in the feast of tents,": This identifies the specific festival during which the reading of the Law should occur. The Feast of Tents (Sukkot) was a week-long celebration commemorating the Israelites' wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. They would dwell in temporary shelters (tents or booths) during this time.
In summary, the verse commands that every seven years, specifically during the Sabbatical year, the Law (likely the book of Deuteronomy itself) was to be publicly read during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
Why was this important?
The reading of the Law during the Feast of Tabernacles served several purposes:
Religious Instruction: It provided an opportunity for all the people to hear and be reminded of God's laws, statutes, and judgments. This helped to maintain religious knowledge and practice.
Renewal of the Covenant: It served as a time for the people to recommit themselves to the covenant relationship with God.
Education of Future Generations: It ensured that children and those who had not previously heard the Law would be instructed in God's ways. As stated in the verses directly following 31:10 (specifically verse 13) "that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it."
Social Cohesion: It brought the entire community together for a shared religious experience, reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people.
The public reading of the Law was a vital component of Israelite religious life and a way to ensure the continuation of their faith from generation to generation.
Deuteronomy 31:10 - Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tents,
What does "Deuteronomy 31:10" mean?
Deuteronomy 31:10 (and the surrounding verses) outlines a commandment for publicly reading the Law of Moses every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles (also called the Feast of Tents or Sukkot). Let's break down the verse:
"Moses commanded them, saying...": This establishes the authority of the instruction, linking it directly to Moses and therefore, to God's will.
"At the end of every seven years...": This defines the timing of the event. It happens every seven years, coinciding with the "year of release" (or sabbatical year). The sabbatical year was a year of rest for the land, and also involved the cancellation of debts.
"in the set time of the year of release...": This emphasizes the specific year: the year when debts were to be remitted.
"in the feast of tents,": This identifies the specific festival during which the reading of the Law should occur. The Feast of Tents (Sukkot) was a week-long celebration commemorating the Israelites' wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. They would dwell in temporary shelters (tents or booths) during this time.
In summary, the verse commands that every seven years, specifically during the Sabbatical year, the Law (likely the book of Deuteronomy itself) was to be publicly read during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
Why was this important?
The reading of the Law during the Feast of Tabernacles served several purposes:
Religious Instruction: It provided an opportunity for all the people to hear and be reminded of God's laws, statutes, and judgments. This helped to maintain religious knowledge and practice.
Renewal of the Covenant: It served as a time for the people to recommit themselves to the covenant relationship with God.
Education of Future Generations: It ensured that children and those who had not previously heard the Law would be instructed in God's ways. As stated in the verses directly following 31:10 (specifically verse 13) "that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it."
Social Cohesion: It brought the entire community together for a shared religious experience, reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people.
The public reading of the Law was a vital component of Israelite religious life and a way to ensure the continuation of their faith from generation to generation.