Chapter 16

16:1  Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

keep the passover

Cf. the order of the feasts in Lev. 23. Here the Passover and Tabernacles are given especial emphasis as marking the beginning and the consummation of God's ways with Israel; the former speaking of redemption, the foundation of all: the latter, or re-gathered Israel blessed in the kingdom. Between, in Deuteronomy 16:9-12 comes the Feast of Weeks--the joy of a redeemed people, anticipating a greater blessing yet to come. It is, morally, Romans 5:1 Romans 5:2 .

Abib First month i.e. April.

16:21  Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

grove

The groves (Heb. Asherim) so often mentioned in the OT were devoted to the worship of Ashtereth, the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the Aphrodite of the Greeks, the Roman Venus. CF.

(See Scofield "Judges 2:13") .