Original Word: חַג
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: chag
Pronunciation: khag
Phonetic Spelling: (khag)
KJV: (solemn) feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity
NASB: feast, feasts, festivals, festival, festival sacrifice
Word Origin: [from H2287 (חָגַג - celebrate)]

1. a festival, or a victim therefor

solemn feast day, sacrifice, solemnity

Or chag {khawg}; from chagag; a festival, or a victim therefor -- (solemn) feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity.

see HEBREW chagag

Word Origin
from chagag
Definition
a festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast
NASB Translation
feast (52), feasts (5), festival (1), festival sacrifice (1), festivals (3).

חַג noun masculine^{Isaiah 29:1} festival-gathering, feast, pilgrim-feast (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic , חַגָּא; Arabic pilgrimage; Sabean חג DHM^{Epigr. Denkm. 31}; Nö^{ZMG 1887. 719}; RS^{Proph. Lect. ii. n. 6}; > We^{Skizzen iii. 106, 165} sacred dance) — חַג absolute and construct Exodus 10:9 36t.; חָ֑ג Numbers 28:17 13t.; suffix חַגִּי Exodus 23:18; חַגֶּ֑ךָ Deuteronomy 16:14; חַגָּהּ Hosea 2:13; חַגֵּנוּ Psalm 81:4; plural חַגִּים Isaiah 29:1 2t.; suffix חַגַּיִךְ Nahum 2:1; חַגֵּיכֶם Amos 5:21 2t.; —

1 feast, especially one observed by a pilgrimage (Exodus 23:14,17):

a. special feast to the golden calf Exodus 32:5 (J; where there was a sacred dance Exodus 32:19); a feast in the 8th month observed by Jeroboam in place of the feast of the 7th month in Judah 1 Kings 12:32,33; pilgrim feast proposed by Moses Exodus 10:9 (JE); feast at Shiloh Judges 21:19. Elsewhere

b. apparently always of the three great pilgrim feasts, celebrated by processions and dancing: (1) in General Isaiah 30:29; Amos 8:10; Nahum 2:1; חגים ינקפו let feasts come round Isaiah 29:1; "" עצרות Amos 5:21; ׳חַג לי Leviticus 23:41 (H); distinguished from the more General מועדים (sacred seasons) Ezekiel 45:17; Ezekiel 46:11; Hosea 9:5 (יום חג), and from specific חדשׁים, שׁבתות as well, Hosea 2:13; (2) in particular: unleavened cakes and Passover חג (ה)מצות Exodus 23:15 = Exodus 34:18 (JE); Leviticus 23:6 (P), Deuteronomy 16:16; 2Chronicles 8:13; 30:13,21; 35:17; Ezra 6:22; חג Exodus 12:14 (P); first day of the seven Numbers 28:17 (P); the last day Exodus 13:6 (J); the seven Ezekiel 45:21,23; חג הפסח Exodus 34:25, חגי Exodus 23:18 (both J E); בַּכֶּסֶה לְיּוֺם חַגֵּנוּ Psalm 81:4 (probably the full moon of Passover); חג הקציר Exodus 23:16 = חג שׁבעת Exodus 34:22 (JE), compare Deuteronomy 16:10,16; 2Chronicles 8:13; חג האס(י)ף Exodus 23:16 = Exodus 34:22 (JE) = חג הסכ(ו)ת Leviticus 23:34 (P), Deuteronomy 16:13,16; Deuteronomy 31:10; 2Chronicles 8:13; Ezra 3:4; Zechariah 14:16,18,19; also ׳חג י Leviticus 23:39 (H), הֶחָג 1 Kings 8:2,65 2Chronicles 5:3; 7:8,9; Ezra 4:5; Nehemiah 8:14; הַגֶּךָ֑ (i.e. of people) Deuteronomy 16:14; 7days Numbers 29:12 (P), Nehemiah 8:18. — Verbs with חג are: חגג Leviticus 23:39,41 (H), Exodus 12:14; Numbers 29:12 (P), Nahum 2:1; Zechariah 14:16,18,19; שׁמר Exodus 23:15 = Exodus 34:18 (JE); התקדשׁ Isaiah 30:29; but usually עשׂה Exodus 34:22 (JE), Deuteronomy 16:10,13; 1 Kings 8:65; 1 Kings 12:32,33; 2Chronicles 7:8,9; 30:13,21; 35:17; Ezra 3:4; Ezra 6:22; Nehemiah 8:18.

2 festival sacrifice (compare Late Hebrew חֲגִיגָה) Psalm 118:27 (see מזבח 12); Malachi 2:3 (RV after Thes Ke and others: but AV Ew Or feast).

Definition and Scope

חַג (chag) denotes an appointed festival celebrated before the LORD with pilgrimage, sacrifice, and rejoicing. The word emphasizes a holy occasion marked by movement (“to go around”), hence the thrice-yearly journeys to the central sanctuary. Although any sacred festival can be called a chag, Scripture applies it most consistently to the three pilgrimage feasts: Passover and Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles.

Old Testament Distribution

Appearing in Torah, Former Prophets, Writings, and Prophets, חַג functions as a unifying thread across Israel’s story. The festivals accompany covenant institution (Exodus), monarchy (1 Kings 8:2, 65), reform (2 Chronicles 30:13; 2 Chronicles 35:17), restoration from exile (Ezra 3:4; Nehemiah 8:14-18), poetic worship (Psalms 118:27), and eschatological prophecy (Zechariah 14:16-19). Thus the chag reveals both God’s faithfulness and Israel’s varied responses through obedience, neglect, revival, and final fulfillment.

The Three Pilgrimage Feasts

1. Passover / Feast of Unleavened Bread

Exodus 12–13 and Deuteronomy 16 link the rite to redemption from Egypt. “You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread—for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:17). Its continual observance anchors Israel’s identity and prefigures “Christ, our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

2. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)

Celebrated seven weeks after firstfruits, it expresses gratitude for harvest and covenant word (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10). Jewish tradition associates the day with Sinai; Christian fulfillment is seen at Pentecost when the Spirit is poured out (Acts 2), gathering firstfruits of a new creation.

3. Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)

Marking the ingathering of produce and commemorating wilderness providence (Leviticus 23:33-43), Tabernacles epitomizes joy: “You shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days” (Leviticus 23:40). Prophets foresee universal participation: “Then all the survivors of the nations… will go up year after year to worship the King… and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16).

Liturgical Elements

• Pilgrimage: males—and ultimately families—appear “in the place He chooses” (Deuteronomy 16:16).
• Sacrifice: burnt offerings, fellowship offerings, grain, and drink offerings (Numbers 28–29).
• Communal Meals: consumption before the LORD safeguards equality and generosity (Deuteronomy 16:14).
• Music and Dance: Psalm 149:3 links dancing to festival; Isaiah 30:29 pictures singing “as on the night you set out to celebrate a festival.”
• Sacred Assembly: holy convocations shape national consciousness around worship rather than warfare.

Theology of the Feast

Revelation: Festivals are “appointed times” (moedim) where heaven’s calendar intersects earthly history.

Redemption: Each chag remembers deliverance—Exodus past, harvest present, glory future.

Rejoicing: Joy is commanded (Deuteronomy 16:14-15) because true worship issues in glad obedience.

Rest: By suspending normal labor (Leviticus 23:7, 21, 35), the feasts anticipate the Sabbath-rest of God’s people (Hebrews 4:9).

Righteousness: Prophetic rebuke targets empty celebration divorced from justice (Isaiah 1:13-17; Amos 5:21-24).

Historical Development

• Patriarchal hints (Genesis 29:22; though חַג is not used) anticipate communal feasting.
• Sinai legislation fixes dates and offerings (Exodus 23; Leviticus 23).
• Centralization under Solomon (1 Kings 8) deepens temple focus.
• Divided-kingdom corruption introduces rival calendars (1 Kings 12:32-33).
• Hezekiah and Josiah restore proper practice (2 Chronicles 30; 35).
• Post-exilic community renews covenant at Tabernacles (Nehemiah 8).
• Second-Temple Judaism elaborates ritual (water-drawing, lamp-lighting) that Jesus re-interprets: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).

Prophetic and Messianic Dimensions

Nahum 1:15 celebrates judgment and freedom: “Celebrate your feasts, O Judah… for the wicked one shall no longer pass through you.” Hosea 9:5 laments exile’s loss of festival. Ezekiel 45–46 envisions future chag observance in a restored sanctuary. Zechariah 14 universalizes Tabernacles, projecting Gentile inclusion. The Gospels present Jesus attending Passover (Luke 2:41; John 2:13), Tabernacles (John 7), and possibly Weeks (John 5), fulfilling every feast in His person and work.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Preaching: Use the festivals to trace God’s redemptive timeline culminating in Christ.
• Worship Planning: Annual church calendars may reflect biblical rhythms—Passover–Easter, Pentecost, Harvest Thanksgiving.
• Discipleship: Teach believers to practice joy, generosity, and remembrance patterned after the chag.
• Missions: Zechariah’s vision motivates proclamation among the nations so that “all families of the earth” might come up to worship the King.

See Also

Passover; Unleavened Bread; Feast of Weeks; Feast of Tabernacles; Pilgrimage; Festival Offerings; Holy Convocation

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