Study notes

Deuteronomy 16

Introducing DeuteronomyWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

14:27–16:17 Section

Deuteronomy taught many ways that the Israelites were to care for needy people. Those who had successfully farmed their own land were to give freely to those in need. This action showed what they thought and felt. It showed that they were grateful to God for providing all that they had. It showed that they trusted him to continue to provide for them. It showed that they were full of mercy towards others.

Moses described this as having a heart that was tender. That pleased God. Every three years the Israelites were to set aside a tenth of their crops. This was used to provide for Levites and needy people in their communities.

Every seven years all Israelites had to forgive what other Israelites owed them. They also had to set their servants free. During the feasts, they had to share their food with needy people. This would help everyone to be full of joy as they worshipped God.

16:1–8

  • The Passover (Hebrew pesakh) is the feast celebrating God's deliverance of Israel from the tenth plague and from slavery in Egypt (see Exodus 11–12; Leviticus 23:5–8).

  • The exodus was so important in Israel's history that the month of Abib, when it happened, became the start of Israel's yearly calendar (see Exodus 12:2).

16:2

a dwelling for His Name: The Lord’s name represented the Lord himself. When God placed his name in the tabernacle or temple, he was effectively taking up residence there (see 12:5, 18).

16:3

Yeast (or leaven) often symbolizes corruption or sin (Leviticus 6:14–17; Matthew 16:11–12). At the first Passover, the Israelites did not use yeast because they had no time to let bread rise (see Exodus 12:10–14). Each part of the yearly Passover celebration reminded the Israelites of what God had done for them.

16:13–17

The Feast of Tabernacles is called this because God told the Israelites to live for one week in simple shelters made from tree branches. These shelters reminded them of the years they wandered in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:33–43). This feast also celebrated the fall harvest.

16:16

Participation in the festival was required of every man, but women and children could participate as well (16:11, 14; compare Luke 2:41).

16:18

  • judges and officials: The use of both words together may mean that they had similar roles. The word officials usually refers to public leaders in general. Here, however, it likely refers to people who helped carry out the law. They may have served as administrators of justice or as officers who enforced the law.

  • with righteous judgment: This phrase means judging by a clear and just standard. Decisions were to be based on what was right. They were not to be changed because of pressure from the public or from private interests.

16:18–17:13

The community of Israel, like any nation, needed different kinds of leaders. These leaders helped keep the people united and guided them in the right direction.

The Lord told Moses to set up a proper system of leadership. He also gave clear standards for choosing leaders and explained the duties of each role.

16:18–18:22 Section

Israel’s leaders had to be fair and do what was right. Leaders included judges and officials in the 12 tribes of Israel.

They also included Levites, priests, kings and prophets. The leaders had to obey God’s commandments. They had to help the people obey God as well.

They were never to lead the people to worship false gods. Nor were they to copy the ways the Canaanites worshipped their gods. The Israelites had to respect their leaders. They would show their respect by doing what the leaders told them to do. They also showed respect by sharing their offerings with the Levites and priests.

Moses mentioned a prophet who would be like him. Many prophets after Moses were faithful go-betweens for God and the Israelites. But many years later, people understood that this was a prophecy about Jesus. Jesus was the prophet that Moses had talked about.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources