# festival, festivals #

## 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 23:30-31](rc://en/tn/help/1ch/23/30)
* [2 Chronicles 08:12-13](rc://en/tn/help/2ch/08/12)
* [Exodus 05:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/exo/05/01)
* [John 04:43-45](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/04/43)
* [Luke 22:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/luk/22/01)

## Word Data:##

* Strong's: H1974, H2166, H2282, H2287, H6213, H4150, G1456, G1858, G1859