Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.
Speak unto the children of Israel ... Concerning the feasts, х mow`ªdeey (H4150) Yahweh (H3068), the sacred assemblies] - the times of assembling, or solemnities (Isaiah 33:20); and this is a preferable rendering, applicable to all sacred seasons mentioned in this chapter, even the day of atonement, which was observed as a fast. They were appointed by the direct authority of God and announced by a public proclamation which is called "the joyful sound" (Psalms 89:15). Those "holy convocations were evidences of divine wisdom, and eminently subservient to the maintenance and diffusion of religious knowledge and piety.