Sukkot

Name:

Sukkot (pronounced "soo-KOHT") meaning huts, shelters, tabernacles. Also spelled Succoth, Succos, Sukkos.

Date:

The 15th through the 21st days of the month of Tishri, which falls in September or October. In 2005 this holiday will begin at sunset on October 18 and run through sunset October 25th.

Purpose:

To remember the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, and to give thanks for the harvest.

References in the Tanakh (Old Testament):

Leviticus 23:33-36 - Feast lasts seven days, eighth day assembly.
Leviticus 23:39-43 - Rejoice with four species of foliage, dwell in shelters
Numbers 29:12-34 - Sacrifices and offerings for each day
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 - Rejoice in this festival!
I Kings 8 - Solomon dedicates the Temple during Sukkot

References in the New Testament:

John 7:2,37-38 - During Sukkot, Yeshua explains that believers in Him will experience "living water."
Matthew 17:1-5 - Looks forward to the future reign of Yeshua/Jesus in power.

Observance:

Biblically, living in temporary shelters, offering sacrifices, rejoicing with "four species." In Temple times, there were water-pouring ceremonies asking God to provide rain in the upcoming season.

A sukkah (plural: sukkot) is a flimsy, temporary dwelling with a roof of natural vegetation, decorated with fruit and other items. Its temporary nature symbolizes that our protection does not come from the works of our hands, but from the Father.

Fulfillment:

Sukkot, like the Sabbath pictures the end of time when God will dwell again with man during the millennium or Messianic Era. Some people belive that Yeshua's birth was also a fulfillment of this holiday with the Holy Spirit filling from birth a temporary dwelling of flesh.