The Festival Calendar: Worship and the tabernacle were located at the center of ancient Israel’s life. Chapter 23 articulates the calendar of special worship events. Exodus 23:14–17 and 34:17–26 prefigure this more detailed description, and Numbers 28–29 and Deuteronomy 16:1–17 also treat the issues. No doubt the historical development of this calendar is long and complex. Certainly early agricultural festivals underlie the festivals described in this chapter, as do practices from the Jerusalem temple. Each of the feasts also reflects its own history.

23:4–8 The beginning of verse 4 suggests that the list of appointed feasts begins again. The introduction is similar to that in verse 2. The first of the three major festivals is observed in the spring, from Passover …