John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 16:13

"Thou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy winepress:" — Deuteronomy 16:13 (ASV)

You shall observe the feast of tabernacles. Its first day was called the day of In-gathering (collectionum), because the produce of the whole year was then stored in their granaries ³⁶¹ and provision cellars. Since they then rested from their rural labors, it was therefore a convenient time of year for celebrating the festivals. For God arranged it so that they might more willingly go up to Jerusalem with little expense and sacrifice to their domestic interests.

Where our translation has, When Jehovah shall have blessed you, the literal rendering is, Because he shall bless you, ³⁶² but the sense is nearly the same. For Moses assures them that, if they diligently and faithfully devote their minds to God's service, they will never lack reasons for rejoicing, since He will never interrupt the flow of His blessing.

Therefore, the end of the fifteenth verse is not merely a command but also a promise, as if he had said that if they were not ungrateful, there was no doubt God would continually supply new cause for gladness. These two clauses are to be taken in connection: God will bless you, and, therefore, you shall only rejoice.

For in this passage, I willingly interpret in this manner ³⁶³ the particle אך (ak). It is indeed absurd to take it adversatively. Therefore, it will not be improper to explain it exclusively, as if he said that there should be no sorrow or anxiety that would hinder them from performing their pious duty. Those who render it “surely,” also approach this meaning.

³⁶¹ “Aux greniers, ou aux caves, ou fenils, et gardoirs de toute provision.” — .” — Fr.

³⁶² Vide A. V., ver. 15, “Because the Lord thy God shall bless thee,” etc., “Because the Lord thy God shall bless thee,” etc.

³⁶³ “Car il y a ici un mot qui se prend bien pour Toutes fois; mais il signifie pareillement Tant y a, ou Quoy qu’il en soit, ou Pour vrai;;” for there is here a word, which may properly mean, Nevertheless; but it also means However, or, At any rate, or, Truly. —for there is here a word, which may properly mean, Nevertheless; but it also means However, or, At any rate, or, Truly. — Fr.