Leviticus 23:34

“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, etc.] Giving them directions about keeping a feast, in which the whole body of them had a very special and particular concern: the fifteenth day of this seventh month; the month Tisri or September: [shall be] the feast of tabernacles [for] seven days unto the Lord; the design of which was, partly to give thanks for the fruits of the earth, now all gathered in, (<032339>Leviticus 23:39); but chiefly to commemorate the dwelling of the children of Israel in tents and booths, during their forty years’ abode in the wilderness, (<032343>Leviticus 23:43); whereby their posterity in later times would be led to observe the difference between them and their…”

“the feast of tabernacles, for seven days unto the Lord--This festival, which was instituted in grateful commemoration of the Israelites having securely dwelt in booths or tabernacles in the wilderness, was the third of the three great annual festivals, and, like the other two, it lasted a week. It began on the fifteenth day of the month, corresponding to the end of our September and beginning of October, which was observed as a Sabbath; and it could be celebrated only at the place of the sanctuary, offerings being made on the altar every day of its continuance. The Jews were commanded during the whole period of the festival to dwell in booths, which were erected on the flat roofs of houses,…”

“Seven days - Like the Passover, the feast of tabernacles commenced at the full moon, on the fifteenth day of the month, and lasted for seven days. The week of the feast was followed by an eighth day, forming strictly no part of it Leviticus 23:36, Numbers 29:35; Nehemiah 8:18, which was a day of holy convocation, and appears to have been generally distinguished by the word translated “solemn assembly” Deuteronomy 16:8; 2 Kings 10:20; Isaiah 1:13; Joel 1:14; Joel 2:15. From its derivation the word in the original appears strictly to denote a closing festival, and this rendering would apply with the most perfect fitness to the day after the week of the Feast of tabernacles, as the conclusion…”

“Of tabernacles - Of tents or booths or arbours. This feast was appointed to remind them of that time when they had no other dwellings in the wilderness, and to stir them up to bless God, as well for the gracious protection then afforded them, as for the more commodious habitations now given them; and to excite them to gratitude for all the fruits of the year newly ended, which were now compleatly brought in. Leviticus 23:36”

“23:34-43 During the Festival of Shelters, the Israelites lived in temporary shelters for seven days. This commemorated the time they had spent in tents and other temporary shelters during the wilderness wanderings and also recalled God’s faithfulness to them during those times. For a list of sacrifices to be offered each day, see Num 29:12-34.”

“The fifteenth: Exo 23:16, Exo 34:22; Num 29:12; Deu 16:13-15; Ezr 3:4; Neh 8:14; Zac 14:16-19; Joh 1:14, Joh 7:2; Heb 11:9, Heb 11:13 the feast of tabernacles: This feast was celebrated in commemoration of the Israelites' dwelling in tents in the wilderness for forty years; and was kept with greater hilarity than any of the other festivals. Hence, in the Talmud, it is often called chag, the feast, by way of excellence; and by Philo, εορτων μεγιστην, the greatest of the feasts; it was therefore more noticed by the heathen than any other. It is probable that Cecrops borrowed from it the law which he made in Athens, "that the master of every family should after harvest make a feast for his…”