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)