Tabernacle

Hebrew #5521 – sukka

Definition: a temporary habitation, typically of light construction.

“And Ya‛aqoḇ set out to Sukkoth, and built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. That is why the name of the place is called Sukkoth.”
—Berĕshith (Genesis) 33:17

“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh new moon is the Festival of Sukkot for seven days to [Yahuah].”
—Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:34

“And it came to be when this word was heard, as he and the sovereigns were drinking in the booths, that he said to his servants, “Set yourselves.” So they set themselves against the city.”
—Melaḵim Aleph (1 Kings) 20:12

“In the secrecy of Your presence You shall hide them from the plots of man; You shelter them in a booth from the strife of tongues.”
—Tehillim (Psalms) 31:20

“And they found written in the Torah, which [Yahuah] had commanded by Mosheh, that the children of Yisra’ĕl should dwell in booths in the festival of the seventh new moon, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Yerushalayim, saying, ‘Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.’”
—Neḥemyah (Nehemiah) 8:14-15

The Feast of Tabernacles is one of the two week-long festivals given in Leviticus 23, the chapter that lays out Yahuah’s feast days and appointed times. Out of all of them, I’d have to say Sukkot (another name for the Feast of Tabernacles) is my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the feasts—but Sukkot is just so much fun every year! The fellowship, the activities, the joy of spending time with friends—it’s truly a celebration like no other.

But as exciting as all that is, the heart of Sukkot isn’t about games or camping with friends. It’s about obedience and remembrance. Yahuah commands us to dwell in booths for seven days, not just for the sake of tradition, but so that we never forget that He brought Israel out of Mitsrayim (Egypt) and caused them to live in temporary shelters, and that one day we will no longer live on this temporary earth, but in our permanent home in heaven. Every sukkah we build is a living reminder that our lives here are not permanent. Just like the flimsy walls of the sukkah, our time on this earth is fragile, and our true dwelling is with Elohim.

Sukkot also carries a picture of hope. Just as Yahuah sheltered His people in the wilderness, He still shelters His people today—in His presence, in His Word, and in His promises. The sukkah is not only a reminder of where we came from, but also a shadow of what is to come: the day when Yahuah Himself will dwell with us, and we will tabernacle with Him forever.

So yes, enjoy the laughter, the meals, and the fellowship during Sukkot—but don’t lose sight of the deeper call. Let every booth, every branch, every moment under the stars point us back to our Elohim, who provides, protects, and promises to dwell with His people.

And of course, don’t just take my word for it. Open up the Scriptures yourself. Leviticus 23 is a great place to begin your study.

—AS

“And on the last day, the great day of the festival, [Yahusha] stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me, and let him who believes in Me drink.’”

Yoḥanan (John) 7:37