The feasts of the Lord or "the LORD'S appointed times" (Leviticus 23:2) refer primarily to the seven holy convocations divinely instituted in Israel's annual religious calendar (Leviticus 23:1-44). These consist of a day or season of joyous celebration for God's redemptive and beneficent provision for His covenant people Israel. The first three feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits) occur during Nisan (March-April), the first month of the Jewish religious calendar. The last three feasts (Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) take place in Tishri (September-October), the seventh month of their religious calendar. The Feast of Weeks (i.e., Pentecost) occurs 50 days after the offering of the first fruits (i.e., between the first and last threesome of annual feasts). All males were required to attend three of the annual feasts: Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Booths (Deuteronomy 16:16). The sabbath was also regarded as a feast day of "complete rest" (Leviticus 23:3). It was to be a delightful, honorable, and holy day of the Lord (Isaiah 58:13) that ideally furnished opportunity to do good (Matthew 12:12) (see also SABBATH). The Feast of Purim was instituted by Mordecai during the reign of Ahasuerus (Esther 9:20-32). It is celebrated in February or March to commemorate the divine deliverance of the Jews from the plot of Haman. The Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights (i.e., Hanukkah) is an extra-biblical Jewish festival held in December to celebrate the rededication of the Jerusalem temple after the Jews' victory in 165 B.C. over the Syrians who had defiled it (John 10:22).

This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.