Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:
Thou shalt observe the feast ... - (see the notes at Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:34; Numbers 29:12.) Various conjectures have been formed to account for the appointment of this feast at the conclusion of the whole harvest. Some imagine that it was designed to remind the Israelites of the time when they had no grainfields to reap, but were daily supplied with manna; others think that it suited the convenience of the people better than any other period of the year for dwelling in booths; others, that it was the time of Moses' second descent from the mount; while a fourth class are of opinion that this feast was prospectively fixed to the time of the year when the Word was made flesh and dwelt-literally, tabernacled-among us (John 1:14), Christ being actually born at that season.
In all the works of thine hands ... rejoice - i:e., praising God with a warm and elevated heart. According to Jewish tradition, no marriages were allowed to be celebrated during these great festivals, that no personal or private rejoicings might be mingled with the demonstrations of public and national gladness.