The Feast of Tabernacles: What it Means and Why You Should Celebrate It

The Feast of Tabernacles is the seventh and final Biblical holiday given to Believers. It also goes by the name Sukkot, which means something like thicket or temporary shelter. Less often it is called the Feast of Booths or the Festival of the Ingathering, and it is a very special time given to us by the Creator, filled with prophetic and historical significance for his people. 

We are instructed to celebrate Sukkot for eight days. Scripture specifies that this is to be a time of rejoicing and that we are to make temporary dwelling places for ourselves, known as sukkahs or booths. It is a time for gathering with other believers, making offerings to YHWH, and there are two days (in addition to the weekly Sabbath) when we are commanded to do no work. 

Significance of the Feast of Tabernacles:

Prophetically, the time of Sukkot reminds us that one day Yahusha the Messiah will dwell with believers. He will someday 'tabernacle' right here with us. It is amazing to think of the ramifications of living with the Messiah being actually physically present and ruling over us! I can't imagine the difference in the world once it is taken over by whom Scripture refers to as, "the only one worthy," which I think explains why Leviticus 23:40 says that Sukkot is a time of joy. There is so much joy ahead for believers! We especially see cause for rejoicing in the name Festival of Ingathering, when YHWH gathers in his people.

Historically the people of Israel lived in temporary dwellings for their forty-year sojourn in the wilderness while awaiting entry to the Promised Land. There is also evidence that the Messiah was born during this particular feast, which explains why he wasn't born in a house, but outside in a sukkah with animals. We can remember these significant events during this set apart time.

Sukkot serves as a reminder to all of us that this world, our homes, and even our bodies, are but temporary as YHWH has more for us beyond our cultures and lifetime. Since this happens at the time of the autumn harvest of crops, we are reminded both that YHWH provides for our physical needs and nourishment, and also that he will one day gather all believers to himself.

Why you should celebrate Tabernacles:

When we choose to celebrate the set apart time of the Feast of Tabernacles, we are literally doing what Scripture instructs (see Leviticus 23:41). Really just following YHWH's instructions for us should be reason enough, but we also see the Messiah honoring Sukkot and telling others to, and the New Testament tells us to keep the feasts!

By celebrating this special time we are being obedient to the word, we understand more about the Messiah's life, and we can grow in historic and prophetic understanding of Scripture. And if that's still not enough...this is a time of joy! Scripture actually tells us there is joy in this set apart time. Could you use more joy in your life? Then celebrate Tabernacles!

What to do for Tabernacles:

-Decide on your temporary dwelling. Leviticus 23:42 says that we are to dwell in temporary shelters during this time. Scripture does not go into detail on what this shelter is like. Believers do everything from week long camping trips in a traditional tent, RV, or rented cabin to pitching some sort of patio tent in their backyard or on their patio to have their meals in. If you need sukkah inspiration, check out this post.

-Take off the no-work days. While the festival and festivities of Sukkot last for eight days, only on the first and last are we told to rest and not work (in addition to the Sabbath). If you can take the whole time off from work that's great, but if you can't then prioritize having the first and eighth days of Sukkot off. Wondering what a no-work day is? Find out here.

-Give an offering. Though we no longer sacrifice animals, we can give to YHWH in other ways. A financial gift to your congregation or to a ministry teaching Biblical truth would be appropriate during this time. You could also offer up your time and talents volunteering for your congregation or another ministry or cause you believe in. Providing groceries or other assistance to a family in need would be another meaningful option. More ideas on giving here.

-Rejoice! Make this a time of joy for yourself and those in your life. Plan a get together or play games with kids or friends. Reminisce over happy and funny memories or family stories. Make a list of promises found in Scripture. Take a trip, make a special meal, and do what brings joy to you during this season.

More about the Feast of Tabernacles:

Eight Things Scripture Says About the Feast of Tabernacles

Why I Started Celebrating the Biblical Feasts

Things the Messiah Said During Sukkot

Sukkot Scripture Reading

Fresh Perspective on the Biblical Holidays

8 Things Scripture Says About the Feast of Tabernacles

What does the Bible say about the Feast of Tabernacles, which is the Biblical holiday also known as Sukkot? This post takes a look at passages of Scripture to see the instructions given for Tabernacles - who it's for, how long it is, what you do at this set apart time, why it's celebrated, and that it will be observed in the latter days. These Scripture passages give us practical insight into this feast today and ideas for how we can honor this time.

Eight things Scripture says about the Feast of Tabernacles:

1. It is for all generations. -Leviticus 23:41

This isn't just a holiday for the people that lived in Bible times, or in the future once the Messiah returns. It is for you, today! No matter what part of the world you live in or your family history, YHWH wants you to set apart his feasts.

2. There are eight days of festivities, and you don't work on the first or last day. - Leviticus 23:35-36, 39

Have you ever gone on vacation and stuffed your itinerary so full that you came home exhausted? I think our Creator saw that tendency coming and purposefully set aside a couple of days of rest for us during this special time. For most of Sukkot we are permitted to do professional work, errands, and whatever else needs done. However on the first and last days we are asked to set those things aside in order to rest and focus on YHWH.

3. We should dwell in booths during Sukkot. -Leviticus 23:43

The Hebrew word for booths is sukkah, the plural of that is Sukkot which is where we get the name for this holiday. Sukkah means a temporary dwelling. Scripture does not elaborate on exactly what this looks like, so I think there is room for self expression. So part of the Feast of Tabernacles is stepping out of our normal living arrangement. Take a road trip, pitch a tent in your backyard, go to the lake, put up a canopy to eat meals under, etc. Make it a point to not stick to business as usual this week.

4. We should rejoice. -Leviticus 23:40

Like the Israelites rejoiced in Nehemiah when they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles for the first time in generations after rediscovering Scripture's instructions, we should be overjoyed that we have instruction from the Living God on how we are to live! And you know what else? This holiday is not a burden or drudgery, it is genuinely fun! It's nice to be able to take off from work and spend time outdoors, and maybe even travel. It's also a time when we can grow more joy inside of ourselves. Keeping Scripture's instructions for the Biblical holidays and the Sabbath has made me a more joyful person in my daily life. Couldn't we all use more joy? This is a tangible way to promote that in ourselves and our families.

5. It is a reminder that YHWH made the children of Israel dwell in booths when he brought them out of Egypt. -Leviticus 23:43

Another reason we keep the Feast of Tabernacles is commemorate the history of YHWH's people, and to learn more of the Bible. The hands-on method of learning can help cement those truths in our hearts. Going to living history museums teaches children more about the ways of the past than just reading about it. Same thing with Scripture! By camping out during the Feast of Tabernacles, we learn a little bit what it was like to journey to the Promised Land. This time calls to mind the miraculous stories of YHWH's provision for his people, and teaches us to trust him more.

6. We should guard the Feast of Tabernacles. -Exodus 23:15-16

We shouldn't approach this time haphazardly, maybe celebrating if it works out. We don't get to say, "I know we should celebrate it but we are so busy/my friends aren't interested/my workplace won't cooperate." We are to guard this time. That means it's up to us to make space on our calendars and prioritize celebrating Sukkot. Be proactive and intentional about setting aside the time and resources needed to keep Scripture's instructions. Guard what is important!

7. We shouldn't appear before YHWH empty-handed, but we should present an offering according to what he has given us. -Deuteronomy 16:16-17

Though we no longer sacrifice animals, we can still give an offering during the feast. If YHWH has given you more than you need, then give to his Kingdom. Donate money to a ministry or support a missionary. Do you have more possessions than you need? Give them away during this time. This can be a meaningful part of the feast as you look for ways to meet needs and learn more about the impact ministries and missionaries are having around the world.

8. It will be celebrated in the latter days. -Zechariah 14:16

Not only will the Feast of Tabernacles be kept when the Messiah is ruling on earth, but those nations that don't celebrate it will be cut off from rain. This shows how important this time is to the Messiah! He gives blessings to those who keep his set apart times.

More posts on the Feast of Tabernacles:
What Jesus Said During Sukkot
Why You Should Celebrate Tabernacles
Sukkot Scripture Reading List

Scripture Reading for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Here is a list of Scriptures to read during and in the time leading up to the Festival of Sukkot. This set apart time is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, the Festival of Ingathering, and the Season of Joy, so there are certainly lots of Scriptures that would be appropriate for this time of year! This time is a reminder that YHWH dwells with us, and calls to mind both Yahusha's life and also his return when he will once again be physically present with us.

Scriptures to read for Sukkot:

Exodus 23:16 - the first mention of Sukkot in Scripture, before the Israelites even got to the Promised Land.
Leviticus 23:34 - details on Sukkot.
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 - talks about rejoicing during the Festival of Booths.
Psalm 27:5 - a promise that YHWH will secure us in his sukkah.
Ecclesiastes - this is a traditionally read during Sukkot.
Ezra 3:4 - the celebration of Sukkot after the Temple was rebuilt.
Nehemiah 8:14-18 - the Torah is read after many years of neglect and the people see the instructions on keeping the feast.
Zechariah 14:16-20 - a prophecy of the feast of Sukkot being celebrated in the millennium.
Luke 2 - the story of the birth of the Messiah, which is evidenced to have happened at this time of year.
John 7 - Yahusha's time at the festival of Sukkot.
Revelation 21:3-5 - when the sukkah of YHWH comes and dwells with us.

More on Tabernacles:
The Feast of Tabernacles: Everything You Should Know
8 Things Scripture Says About the Feast of Tabernacles
Activities for Tabernacles