Original Word: מוֹעֵד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mow`ed
Pronunciation: mo-ED
Phonetic Spelling: (mo-ade')
KJV: appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed)
NASB: meeting, appointed time, appointed feasts, appointed times, season, appointed, appointed feast
Word Origin: [from H3259 (יָעַד - meet)]

1. (properly) an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season
2. (specifically) a festival
3. (conventionally) a year
4. (by implication) an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose)
5. (technically) the congregation
6. (by extension) the place of meeting
7. (also) a signal (as appointed beforehand)

appointed sign, time, place of, solemn assembly, congregation, set, solemn feast

Or moled {mo-ade'}; or (feminine) moweadah (2 Chronicles 8:13) {mo-aw-daw'}; from ya'ad; properly, an appointment, i.e. A fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand) -- appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).

see HEBREW ya'ad

Word Origin
from yaad
Definition
appointed time, place, or meeting
NASB Translation
appointed (3), appointed feast (3), appointed feasts (11), appointed festival (2), appointed meeting place (1), appointed place (1), appointed sign (1), appointed time (21), appointed times (8), appointment (1), assembly (2), definite time (1), feasts (2), festal assemblies (1), fixed festivals (3), meeting (147), meeting place (1), meeting places (1), season (4), seasons (3), set time (1), time (3), times (1), times appointed (1).

מוֺעֵד₂₂₃ noun masculine^{Psalm 102:14} appointed time, place, meeting; ׳מ Exodus 9:5 183t.; מֹעֵד Deuteronomy 31:10; מוֺעֲדוֺ Numbers 9:2 2t.; מֹעֲדוֺ Lamentations 2:6 3t. + 5 t. suffixes; plural מוֺעֲדִים Daniel 12:7 6t.; מֹעֲדִים Zechariah 8:19; 1 Chronicles 23:31; מוֺעֲדוֺת2Chronicles 8:13; construct מֹועֲדֵי Leviticus 23:2 6t.; מֹעֲדֵי Leviticus 23:44; suffixes מוֺעֲדַי Ezekiel 44:24; מֹעֲדֵיכֶם Numbers 15:3 6t. suffixes; —

1 appointed time:

a. in General with prefix לְ, at an or the appointed time Genesis 18:14; Exodus 13:10 (J), Exodus 23:15; Exodus 34:18; Joshua 8:14 (all J E), Genesis 17:21; Genesis 21:2 (P), 1 Samuel 9:24; 1 Samuel 13:8 (after אשׁר insert either אָמַר ᵐ5 ᵑ7 or שָׂם Dr), 1 Samuel 13:11; 2 Kings 4:16,17; Habakkuk 2:3; Daniel 8:19; Daniel 11:27,29,35; דוד ׳למ at he time appointed with David 1 Samuel 20:35 (Thes SS place appointed); with prefix בְּ Hosea 2:11; Leviticus 23:4; Numbers 9:2,3,7,13; Numbers 28:2 (P); with מִן 2 Samuel 20:5; מ׳עַד עֵת 2 Samuel 24:15 unto the time appointed (but dubious, see Dr); with verbs ׳בא מ Psalm 102:14; ׳לקח מ Psalm 75:3; ׳שׂים מ Exodus 9:5 (J); ׳העביר המ Jeremiah 46:17; the stork ׳ידעה מ Jeremiah 8:7 knows her appointed time; צאתך ׳מ Deuteronomy 16:6 time of thy going forth (from Egypt).

b. in particular (compare Exodus 13:10; Exodus 23:15; Exodus 34:18), sacred season, RV usually set feast or appointed season (wider than חַג, which was only a feast celebrated by a pilgrimage), ׳יוֺם (ימי) מ day (s) of appointed season (i.e. festivals) Hosea 9:5; Hosea 12:10; Lamentations 2:7,22; singular indefinite Lamentations 1:4; of the feast of booths Deuteronomy 31:10; "" חג חדשׁ שׁבת Hosea 2:13; "" שׁבת Lamentations 2:6; usually plural יהוה ׳מ Leviticus 23:2,4,37,44 (P), 2 Chron 2:3 Ezra 3:5; with suffixes referring to ׳י Leviticus 23:2 (P); ׳בּמ Numbers 15:3; Numbers 29:39 (P), Ezekiel 36:38; Ezekiel 46:9; קרית ׳מ city of our solemnities (sacred seasons) Isaiah 33:20; טובים ׳למ Zechariah 8:19; "" שׁבתות Ezekiel 44:24; "" חדשׁים Isaiah 1:14; 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2Chronicles 8:13; 31:3; Nehemiah 10:34; "" חנים Ezekiel 46:11; חגים חדשׁים Ezekiel 45:17; "" ראשׁי חָדְשֵׁכֶם Numbers 10:10 (P). —

Notes. It is most probable that in Genesis 1:14 (P), where ׳מ "" אֹתֹת, the reference is to the sacred seasons as fixed by moon's appearance; and so also ׳עשׂה ירח למ he made the moon for sacred seasons Psalm 104:19, although many Lexicons & Commentaries refer these to the seasons of the year. — למועד מועדים וחצי Daniel 12:7 for a set time, times, and a half = 3 2-Janappointed times = half the prophetic week of years, compare Br^{MP 453 f.} — ׳ויאכלו את המ they ate throughout the sacred season (of Maƒƒoth) 2 Chronicles 30:22 AV RV, but Thes SS Be Ke Öttli they ate the offerings of the sacred season; ᵐ5 וַיְכַלּוּ.

2 appointed meeting: לְכָלחַֿי ׳בֵּית מ Job 30:23 house of meeting for every living (of She'ol); ׳קְרִאֵי מ Numbers 16:2 (P) called to the assembly = קְרִאֵי הָעֵדָה; ׳קרא עלי מ Lamentations 1:15 called a festal meeting against me; ׳בקרב מ Psalm 74:4 in the midst of thine assembly; הַר מוֺעֵד Isaiah 14:13 mount of meeting or assembly (of the gods; the mountain of the gods in the extreme north, the oriental Olympus, Persian Alborg, Hindu Meru, Babylon. Aralli, compare Len^{Origines ii, ch. ix}).

3 appointed place:

a. the temple, "" שׂכּוֺ Lamentations 2:6, ׳נוּגֵי ממ afflicted (and driven) from the place of assembly Zephaniah 3:18 (compare Br^{MP 225}).

b. synagogues, כָּלמֿוֺעֲדֵיאֵֿל בָּאָרֶץ all the appointed places of El in the land Psalm 74:8 = בֵּית וַעַד Sota Psalm 9:15.

4 appointed sign, signal, Judges 20:38.

5 אֹהֶל מוֺעֵד tent of meeting (of God with his people: see יָעַד Niph`al

1); the sacred tent of the Exodus (see אֹהֶל 3) Exodus 33:7 (twice in verse); Numbers 12:4; Deuteronomy 31:14 (twice in verse) (E), Numbers 11:16 (J); often in P, as Exodus 27:21; Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 1:1,3; Joshua 18:1; Joshua 19:51, etc. (131 t.)>; elsewhere only 1 Samuel 2:22b (omitted by ᵐ5), 1 Kings 8:4 2Chronicles 5:5; 1 Chronicles 6:17; 1 Chronicles 9:21; 1 Chronicles 23:32; 2Chronicles 1:3,6,13.

Overview of Usage

The word מוֹעֵד occurs about 223 times in the Old Testament. It designates an appointed occasion fixed by God—whether a meeting place, a sacred assembly, a festival date, or a divinely set moment in history. The uses fall into three primary spheres: (1) the physical site where God meets His people, (2) the calendar of worship festivals, and (3) the prophetic schedule of judgment and redemption.

Moed and the Tabernacle / Temple

From Exodus onward the term is inseparably linked to the “Tent of Meeting,” the sanctuary where the LORD revealed Himself (Exodus 29:42–43; Numbers 7:89). At this locus Aaron and his sons offered regular sacrifices “before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting” (Exodus 29:42). The continual burnt offering, the lighting of the menorah (Exodus 27:21), the daily incense (Exodus 30:34–38), and the reading of the Law all occurred at God’s מוֹעֵד. When the Tabernacle gave way to the Temple, the term still underscored that Israel’s worship was not humanly devised but scheduled and situated by divine decree (2 Chronicles 8:13).

Festivals and the Sacred Calendar

Leviticus 23 calls the annual feast cycle “the appointed feasts of the LORD” (Leviticus 23:2). Each festival is explicitly dated, illustrating that biblical worship rests on God-determined seasons rather than human tradition.

• Passover—Exodus 12:14, Numbers 9:2
• Feast of Unleavened Bread—Exodus 13:10
• Firstfruits—Leviticus 23:10–11
• Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)—Exodus 34:22
• Feast of Trumpets—Leviticus 23:24
• Day of Atonement—Leviticus 16:29; 23:27
• Feast of Tabernacles—Leviticus 23:34

The Sabbatical Year (Leviticus 25:4) and Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:10) extend the principle by sanctifying larger blocks of time. Deuteronomy 16:16 groups the three pilgrimage feasts, commanding every Israelite male to appear “at the place the LORD will choose,” reinforcing the dual idea of appointed time and appointed place.

Appointed Times in Personal and National Life

Jeremiah 8:7 notes that migratory birds are more consistent than wayward Judah: “Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed times.” Such references broaden the concept from liturgical observances to life rhythms established by the Creator.

In Esther 9:27, Israel fixes Purim as an annual מוֹעֵד to remember divine deliverance. Psalm 104:19 credits God with ordering the heavenly luminaries so that seasons (mōʿadim) progress predictably, an ongoing testimony to His covenant faithfulness (Genesis 8:22).

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

Prophets use the term to mark decisive, often climactic, interventions of God:

• Isaiah 13:22—Babylon’s downfall approaches “her time is at hand.”
• Habakkuk 2:3—“For the vision awaits an appointed time.”
• Daniel 8:19—“It concerns the appointed time of the end.”
• Micah 7:15—Future redemption will mirror the Exodus “as in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them wonders.”

Such passages assure that both judgment and salvation unfold on a precise heavenly timetable.

Moed in Wisdom and Poetic Books

Job laments human frailty within divinely set limits: “Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand?” (Job 7:1). Psalm 75:2 states, “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity,” affirming that moral accountability is clocked by God’s schedule.

Christological Fulfillment

The New Testament presents Jesus Messiah as both the meeting place and the fulfillment of the feast calendar. Passover finds its substance in the crucifixion (Luke 22:15; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Firstfruits anticipates the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). Pentecost becomes the Spirit’s outpouring (Acts 2:1). Even future feasts gain eschatological nuance, pointing to the consummation of redemption (Revelation 21:3: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man”).

Distribution Snapshot

• Torah: roughly 171 occurrences—principally Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers.
• Former Prophets: approximately 17 occurrences, mostly in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings.
• Latter Prophets: about 22 occurrences—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the Twelve.
• Writings: around 13 occurrences—Psalms, Job, Chronicles, Esther.

Ministry Implications Today

1. Corporate Worship: God still calls His people to gather at times of His choosing (Hebrews 10:25), reflecting the order embedded in מוֹעֵד.
2. Rhythm of Life: Sabbath rest and church calendar patterns echo the biblical conviction that time itself is covenantal.
3. Prophetic Hope: Confidence in God’s schedule fuels perseverance; the “blessed hope” arrives not a moment late.
4. Personal Devotion: Prayer “at the hour of incense” (Acts 3:1) models individual alignment with sacred rhythms.

Key Reference Index

Exodus 29:42–43 — Daily burnt offering at the Tent of Meeting

Leviticus 23:2 — Synopsis of all appointed feasts

Numbers 9:2 — Passover at its appointed time

Deuteronomy 31:10 — Reading the Law at the Feast of Booths

Psalm 102:13 — “The appointed time has come” for Zion’s favor

Jeremiah 46:17 — Egypt’s doom fixed to an appointed time

Habakkuk 2:3 — Vision awaits its appointed time

Daniel 8:19 — Appointed time of the end

Esther 9:27 — Purim established as an annual moed

Ezra 10:14 — Assembly to address intermarriage at an appointed time

From Tabernacle courts to prophetic horizons, מוֹעֵד testifies that history advances by God’s calendar, not human conjecture.

בְּמ֣וֹעֲדֶ֔יהָ בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם בְּמֹעֵ֛ד בְּמֽוֹעֲד֑וֹ בְּמוֹעֲד֑וֹ בְּמוֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם בְּמוֹעֲדָֽם׃ בְּמוֹעֲדֽוֹ׃ בַּמּֽוֹעֲדִים֒ במועדו במועדו׃ במועדיה במועדיכם במועדים במועדם׃ במעד במעדו במעדיכם הַמּוֹעֵ֖ד הַמּוֹעֵֽד׃ הַמּוֹעֵד֙ המועד המועד׃ וְהַמּוֹעֵ֗ד וְלַמֹּעֲדִ֑ים וְלַמּ֣וֹעֲד֔וֹת וּֽבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֮ וּֽלְמֹעֲדִ֖ים וּֽלְמוֹעֲדֵ֖י וּבַמּוֹעֲדִ֗ים וּלְמ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים וּמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֙ ובמועדיכם ובמועדים והמועד ולמועדות ולמועדי ולמועדים ולמעדים ומועדיכם לְמוֹעֲדִ֑ים לְמוֹעֲדָ֑הּ לְמוֹעֵ֖ד לְמוֹעֵ֣ד לְמוֹעֵ֥ד לְמוֹעֵ֨ד לְמוֹעֵד֙ לַמּוֹעֲדִ֗ים לַמּוֹעֵ֔ד לַמּוֹעֵ֕ד לַמּוֹעֵ֖ד לַמּוֹעֵ֛ד לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד לַמּוֹעֵ֣ד לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד לַמּוֹעֵ֥ד לַמּוֹעֵֽד׃ לַמּוֹעֵד֙ למועד למועד׃ למועדה למועדים מִמּוֹעֵ֛ד מֹעֲדֵ֖י מֽוֹעֲדִ֜ים מֽוֹעֲדֵ֑נוּ מֽוֹעֲדֶ֔יהָ מוֹעֲד֑וֹ מוֹעֲדֵ֖י מוֹעֲדֵ֣י מוֹעֲדֵ֥י מוֹעֲדֵי־ מוֹעֲדֶ֑ךָ מוֹעֲדַ֣י מוֹעֲדָֽהּ׃ מוֹעֲדָֽי׃ מוֹעֵ֑ד מוֹעֵ֔ד מוֹעֵ֖ד מוֹעֵ֗ד מוֹעֵ֛ד מוֹעֵ֜ד מוֹעֵ֣ד מוֹעֵ֤ד מוֹעֵ֨ד ׀ מוֹעֵֽד׃ מוֹעֵד֒ מוֹעֵד֙ מוֹעֵד֩ מוֹעֵד֮ מועד מועד׃ מועדה׃ מועדו מועדי מועדי־ מועדי׃ מועדיה מועדים מועדך מועדנו ממועד מעדי bam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm bammoaDim bammōw‘ăḏîm bə·mō·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem bə·mō·‘ă·ḏōw bə·mō·‘êḏ bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏām bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏe·hā bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏōw bəmō‘ăḏêḵem bəmō‘ăḏōw bəmō‘êḏ bemoaDam bemoadeiChem beMoaDeiha bemoaDo bemoEd bəmōw‘ăḏām bəmōw‘ăḏehā bəmōw‘ăḏêḵem bəmōw‘ăḏōw ham·mō·w·‘êḏ hammoEd hammōw‘êḏ lam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm lam·mō·w·‘êḏ lammoaDim lammoEd lammōw‘ăḏîm lammōw‘êḏ lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏāh lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm lə·mō·w·‘êḏ lemoaDah lemoaDim lemoEd ləmōw‘ăḏāh ləmōw‘ăḏîm ləmōw‘êḏ mim·mō·w·‘êḏ mimmōw‘êḏ mimoEd mō‘ăḏê mō·‘ă·ḏê mō·w·‘ă·ḏāh mō·w·‘ă·ḏay mō·w·‘ă·ḏāy mō·w·‘ă·ḏê mō·w·‘ă·ḏê- mō·w·‘ă·ḏe·hā mō·w·‘ă·ḏe·ḵā mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·nū mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm mō·w·‘ă·ḏōw mō·w·‘êḏ moaDah moaDai moaDecha moaDei moaDeiha moaDenu moaDim moaDo moEd mōw‘ăḏāh mōw‘ăḏay mōw‘ăḏāy mōw‘ăḏê mōw‘ăḏê- mōw‘ăḏehā mōw‘ăḏeḵā mōw‘ăḏênū mōw‘ăḏîm mōw‘ăḏōw mōw‘êḏ ū·ḇam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm ū·ḇə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem ū·lə·mō·‘ă·ḏîm ū·lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê ū·lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm ū·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem ūḇammōw‘ăḏîm ūḇəmōw‘ăḏêḵem ūləmō‘ăḏîm ulemoaDei uleMoaDim ūləmōw‘ăḏê ūləmōw‘ăḏîm umoadeiChem ūmōw‘ăḏêḵem uvammoaDim uvemoadeiChem vehammoEd velammoaDim velamMoaDot wə·ham·mō·w·‘êḏ wə·lam·mō·‘ă·ḏîm wə·lam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏō·wṯ wəhammōw‘êḏ wəlammō‘ăḏîm wəlammōw‘ăḏōwṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts