The Three Pilgrim Feasts
Deuteronomy 16
Moses instructs Israel to keep the Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles at the place the Lord will choose, with all the men of Israel appearing before the Lord at these three times each year. He also commands the appointment of just judges and forbids planting sacred groves or setting up pillars near the altar.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonOBSERVE the month of New things, and keep the passover to the Lord thy God, because in the month of New things thou didst come out of the land of Egypt, by night.
BrentonObserve the month of new corn, and thou shalt sacrifice the passover to the Lord thy God; because in the month of new corn thou camest out of Egypt by night.
GreekΦυλάξαι τὸν μῆνα τῶν νέων, καὶ ποιήσεις τὸ πάσχα Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου, ὅτι ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῶν νέων ἐξῆλθες ἐξ Αἰγύπτου νυκτός.
KJVObserve the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
JPSObserve the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God; for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
2
ThomsonAnd at the passover thou shalt sacrifice to the Lord thy God, sheep, and kine, in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose for his name to be there invoked.
BrentonAnd thou shalt sacrifice the passover to the Lord thy God, sheep and oxen in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to have his name called upon it.
GreekΚαὶ θύσεις τὸ πάσχα Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου πρόβατα καὶ βόας ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, ᾧ ἐὰν ἐκλέξηται Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου αὐτὸν, ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ.
KJVThou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.
JPSAnd thou shalt sacrifice the passover-offering unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to cause His name to dwell there.
3
ThomsonAt it thou shalt not eat leaven. Seven days, at it, thou shalt eat unleavened bread—the bread of affliction, because you came in haste out of Egypt, that you may remember the day of your coming out of the land of Egypt, all the days of your life.
BrentonThou shalt not eat leaven with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread with it, bread of affliction, because ye came forth out of Egypt in haste; that ye may remember the day of your coming forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.
GreekΟὐ φαγῇ ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ ζύμην· ἐπτὰ ἡμέρας φαγῇ ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ ἄζυμα, ἄρτον κακώσεως, ὅτι ἐν σπουδῇ ἐξήλθετε ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, ἵνα μνησθῆτε τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς ἐξοδίας ὑμῶν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς ὑμῶν.
KJVThou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
JPSThou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for in haste didst thou come forth out of the land of Egypt; that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
4
ThomsonNo leaven shall be seen in all thy borders for seven days, and none of the flesh of that which you shall sacrifice on the evening of the first day shall be left till the morning.
BrentonLeaven shall not be seen with thee in all thy borders for seven days, and there shall not be left of the flesh which thou shalt sacrifice at even on the first day until the morning.
GreekΟὐκ ὀφθήσεται σοι ζύμη ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις σου ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας, καὶ οὐ κοιμήθησεται ἀπὸ τῶν κρεῶν ὧν ἐὰν θύσῃς τὸ ἑσπέρας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ πρώτῃ εἰς τοπρωΐ.
KJVAnd there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
JPSAnd there shall be no leaven seen with thee in all thy borders seven days; neither shall any of the flesh, which thou sacrificest the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
5
ThomsonThou shalt not be at liberty to keep the passover in any of the cities which the Lord thy God giveth thee,
BrentonThou shalt not have power to sacrifice the passover in any of the cities, which the Lord thy God gives thee.
GreekΟὐ δυνήσῃ θῦσαι τὸ πάσχα ἐν οὐδεμιᾷ τῶν πόλεών σου, ὧν Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι·
KJVThou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:
JPSThou mayest not sacrifice the passover-offering within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee;
6
Thomsonbut only in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, for His name to be there invoked. Thou shalt kill the passover in the evening, at the setting of the sun, in the season thou didst come out of of Egypt.
BrentonBut in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, to have his name called there, thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even at the setting of the sun, at the time when thou camest out of Egypt.
Greekἀλλʼ ἢ εἰς τὸν τόπον, ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου, ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ, θύσεις τὸ πάσχα ἑσπέρας πρὸς δυσμὰς ἡλίου, ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ᾧ ἐξῆλθες ἐξ Αἰγύπτου.
KJVBut at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
JPSbut at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to cause His name to dwell in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover-offering at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
7
ThomsonAnd when thou hast cooked, and roasted, and eaten it, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen, in the morning thou mayst return and go home.
BrentonAnd thou shalt boil and roast and eat it in the place, which the Lord thy God shall choose; and thou shalt return in the morning, and go to thy house.
GreekΚαὶ ἑψήσεις καὶ ὀπτήσεις καὶ φαγῇ ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, οὗ ἐὰν ἐκλέξηται Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου αὐτόν· καὶ ἀποστραφήσῃ τοπρωΐ, καὶ ἐλεύσῃ εἰς τοὺς οἴκους σου.
KJVAnd thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
JPSAnd thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
8
ThomsonSix days thou shalt eat unleavened bread; and on the seventh day shall be the Exod—a festival to the Lord thy God. On it thou shalt not do any work, but what is necessary for life.
BrentonSix days shalt thou eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day is a holiday, a feast to the Lord thy God: thou shalt not do in it any work, save what must be done by any one.
GreekἛξ ἡμέρας φαγῇ ἄζυμα, καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἐξόδιον ἑορτὴ Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου· οὐ ποιήσεις ἐν αὐτῇ πᾶν ἔργον, πλὴν ὅσα ποιηθήσεται ψυχῇ.
KJVSix days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.
JPSSix days thou shalt eat unleavened bread; and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God; thou shalt do no work therein.
9
ThomsonSeven weeks thou shalt number for thyself—from thy first beginning to put the sickle to the harvest thou shalt begin to number the seven weeks.
BrentonSeven weeks shalt thou number to thyself; when thou hast begun to put the sickle to the corn, thou shalt begin to number seven weeks.
GreekἙπτὰ ἑβδομάδας ἐξαριθμήσεις σεαυτῷ· ἀρξαμένου σου δρέπανον ἐπʼ ἀμητὸν, ἄρξῃ ἐξαριθμῆσαι ἑπτὰ ἑβδομάδας.
KJVSeven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
JPSSeven weeks shalt thou number unto thee; from the time the sickle is first put to the standing corn shalt thou begin to number seven weeks.
10
ThomsonAnd thou shalt keep the festival of weeks, to the Lord thy God, according to the ability of thy hand—according to what the Lord thy God may have given thee.
BrentonAnd thou shalt keep the feast of weeks to the Lord thy God, accordingly as thy hand has power in as many things as the Lord thy God shall give thee.
GreekΚαὶ ποιήσεις ἑορτὴν ἑβδομάδων Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου, καθὼς ἡ χείρ σου ἰσχύει, ὅσα ἂν δῷ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου.
KJVAnd thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
JPSAnd thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God after the measure of the freewill-offering of thy hand, which thou shalt give, according as the LORD thy God blesseth thee.
11
ThomsonAnd thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man servant, and thy maid servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow who is among you, in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose for His name to be there invoked.
BrentonAnd thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow which dwells among you, in whatsoever place the Lord thy God shall choose, that his name should be called there.
GreekΚαὶ εὐφρανθήσῃ ἐναντίον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου, σὺ καὶ ὁ υἱός σου, καὶ ἡ θυγάτηρ σου, ὁ παῖς σου, καὶ ἡ παιδίσκη σου, καὶ ὁ Λευίτης, καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος, καὶ ὁ ὀρφανὸς, καὶ ἡ χήρα ἡ οὖσα ἐν ὑμῖν, ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, ᾧ ἐὰν ἐκλέξηται Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου αὐτὸν, ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ.
KJVAnd thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
JPSAnd thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within they gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are in the midst of thee, in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there.
12
ThomsonAnd thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt; therefore thou shalt keep, and perform, these commandments.
BrentonAnd thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and thou shalt observe and do these commands.
GreekΚαὶ μνησθήσῃ ὅτι οἰκέτης ἐγένου ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ, καὶ φυλάξῃ καὶ ποιήσεις τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας.
KJVAnd thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
JPSAnd thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt; and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.
13
ThomsonThe feast of tabernacles thou shalt keep for thyself seven days. When thou hast gathered in from thy threshing floor, and from thy press,
BrentonThou shalt keep for thyself the feast of tabernacles seven days, when thou gatherest in thy produce from thy corn-floor and thy wine-press.
GreekἘορτὴν σκηνῶν ποιήσεις σεαυτῷ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας ἐν τῷ συναγαγεῖν σε ἐκ τῆς ἅλωνός σου καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ληνοῦ σου.
KJVThou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:
JPSThou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress.
14
Thomsonthou shalt rejoice at this thy festival, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man servant, and thy maid servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who is in thy cities.
BrentonAnd thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow that is in thy cities.
GreekΚαὶ εὐφρανθήσῃ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ σου, σὺ καὶ ὁ υἱός σου, καὶ ἡ θυγάτηρ σου, ὁ παῖς σου, καὶ ἡ παιδίσκη σου, καὶ ὁ Λευίτης, καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος, καὶ ὁ ὀρφανὸς, καὶ ἡ χήρα ἡ οὖσα ἐν ταῖς πόλεσί σου.
KJVAnd thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
JPSAnd thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
15
ThomsonSeven days thou shalt celebrate this festival to the Lord thy God, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen for himself. So when the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy productions, and in all the works of thy hands, and thou shalt be made glad, every male shall,
BrentonSeven days shalt thou keep a feast to the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose for himself; and if the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy fruits, and in every work of thy hands, then thou shalt rejoice.
GreekἙπτὰ ἡμέρας ἑορτάσεις Κυρἱω τῷ Θεῷ σου ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, ᾧ ἂν ἐκλέξηται Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου αὐτῷ· ἐὰν δὲ εὐλογήσῃ σε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ἐν πᾶσι γεννήμασί σου, καὶ ἐν πάντι ἔργῳ τῶν χειρῶν σου, καὶ ἔσῃ εὐφραινόμενος.
KJVSeven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
JPSSeven days shalt thou keep a feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose; because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the work of thy hands, and thou shalt be altogether joyful.
16
Thomsonthree times in the year, appear before the Lord thy God, in the place which the Lord shall choose—at the festival of unleavened bread, and at the festival of weeks, and at the festival of tabernacles. Thou shalt not appear before the Lord thy God empty handed.
BrentonThree times in the year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: thou shalt not appear before the Lord thy God empty.
GreekΤρεῖς καιροὺς τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ὀφθήσεται πᾶν ἀρσενικόν σου ἐναντίον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, ᾧ ἐὰν ἐκλέξηται αὐτὸν Κύριος· ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ τῶν ἀζύμων, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ τῶν ἑβδομάδων, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ τῆς σκηνοπηγίας· οὐκ ὀφθήσῃ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου κενός.
KJVThree 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:
JPSThree times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose; on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the feast of weeks, and on the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty;
17
ThomsonEvery one of you shall bring according to the ability of his hand, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, which He hath given thee.
BrentonEach one according to his ability, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he has given thee.
GreekἝκαστος κατὰ δύναμιν τῶν χειρῶν ὑμῶν, κατὰ τὴν εὐλογίαν Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου ἣν ἔδωκέ σοι.
KJVEvery man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
JPSevery man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee.
18
ThomsonThou shalt appoint for thyself judges, and promulgators of the law, in the cities which the Lord thy God giveth thee, in every tribe. And they shall administer just judgment to the people.
BrentonThou shalt make for thyself judges and officers in thy cities, which the Lord thy God gives thee in thy tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment:
GreekΚριτὰς καὶ γραμματοεισαγωγεῖς ποιήσεις σεαυτῷ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσί σου, αἷς Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι κατὰ φυλάς· καὶ κρινοῦσι τὸν λαὸν κρίσιν δικαίαν.
KJVJudges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
JPSJudges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, tribe by tribe; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
19
ThomsonThey shall not wrest judgment, nor respect persons, nor shall they receive a gift. For gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Brentonthey shall not wrest judgment, nor favour persons, nor receive a gift; for gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
GreekΟὐκ ἐκκλινοῦσι κρίσιν, οὐδὲ λήψονται δῶρον· τὰ γὰρ δῶρα ἀποτυφλοῖ ὀφθαλμοὺς σοφῶν, καὶ ἐξαίρει λόγους δικαίων.
KJVThou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
JPSThou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a gift; for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
20
ThomsonThou shalt pursue righteously what is right, that you may live, and go in, and possess the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
BrentonThou shalt justly pursue justice, that ye may live, and go in and inherit the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.
GreekΔικαίως τὸ δίκαιον διώξῃ, ἵνα ζῆτε, καὶ εἰσελθόντες κληρονομήσητε τὴν γῆν ἣν Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι.
KJVThat which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
JPSJustice, justice shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
21
Thomson—
BrentonThou shalt not plant for thyself a grove; thou shalt not plant for thyself any tree near the altar of thy God.
GreekΟὐ φυτεύσεις σεαυτῷ ἄλσος· πᾶν ξύλον παρὰ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ σου οὐ ποιήσεις σεαυτῷ.
KJVThou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
JPSThou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
22
ThomsonThou shalt not plant a grove for thyself, nor make for thyself a wood near the altar of thy God, nor set up for thyself a pillar: these are things which the Lord thy God hateth.
BrentonThou shalt not set up for thyself a pillar, which the Lord thy God hates.
GreekΟὐ στήσεις σεαυτῷ στήλην, ἃ ἐμίσησε Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου.
KJVNeither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.
JPSNeither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which the LORD thy God hateth.