# festival

## Definition:

In general, a festival is a celebration held by a community of people.

* The word for “festival” in the Old Testament literally means “appointed time.”
* The festivals celebrated by the Israelites were specially appointed times or seasons that God had commanded them to observe.
* In some English translations, the word “feast” is used instead of festival because the celebrations included having a large meal together.
* There were several main festivals that the Israelites celebrated every year:

    * Passover
    * Festival of Unleavened Bread
    * Firstfruits
    * Festival of Weeks (Pentecost)
    * Festival of Trumpets
    * Day of Atonement
    * Festival of Shelters

* The purpose of these festivals was to thank God and to remember the amazing things he had done to rescue, protect, and provide for his people.

(See also: [feast](../other/feast.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Chronicles 23:31](rc://en/tn/help/1ch/23/31)
* [2 Chronicles 8:13](rc://en/tn/help/2ch/08/13)
* [Exodus 5:1](rc://en/tn/help/exo/05/01)
* [John 4:45](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/04/45)
* [Luke 22:1](rc://en/tn/help/luk/22/01)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H1974, H2166, H2282, H2287, H6213, H4150, G14560, G18580, G18590