17 "Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord.

Other Translations of Exodus 23:17

King James Version

17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

English Standard Version

17 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord GOD.

The Message

17 "Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Master, God.

New King James Version

17 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.

New Living Translation

17 At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 23:17

Commentary on Exodus 23:10-19

(Read Exodus 23:10-19)

Every seventh year the land was to rest. They must not plough or sow it; what the earth produced of itself, should be eaten, and not laid up. This law seems to have been intended to teach dependence on Providence, and God's faithfulness in sending the larger increase while they kept his appointments. It was also typical of the heavenly rest, when all earthly labours, cares, and interests shall cease for ever. All respect to the gods of the heathen is strictly forbidden. Since idolatry was a sin to which the Israelites leaned, they must blot out the remembrance of the gods of the heathen. Solemn religious attendance on God, in the place which he should choose, is strictly required. They must come together before the Lord. What a good Master do we serve, who has made it our duty to rejoice before him! Let us devote with pleasure to the service of God that portion of our time which he requires, and count his sabbaths and ordinances to be a feast unto our souls. They were not to come empty-handed; so now, we must not come to worship God empty-hearted; our souls must be filled with holy desires toward him, and dedications of ourselves to him; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.