שָׁלֹ֣ושׁ פְּעָמִ֣ים בַּשָּׁנָ֡ה יֵרָאֶ֨ה כָל־זְכוּרְךָ֜ אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ בַּמָּקֹום֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִבְחָ֔ר בְּחַ֧ג הַמַּצֹּ֛ות וּבְחַ֥ג הַשָּׁבֻעֹ֖ות וּבְחַ֣ג הַסֻּכֹּ֑ות וְלֹ֧א יֵרָאֶ֛ה אֶת־פְּנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה רֵיקָֽם׃
(Deuteronomy 16:16)
Opening Structure: Temporal and Quantitative Framing
The verse opens with a cardinal number and noun phrase:
שָׁלֹ֣ושׁ פְּעָמִ֣ים בַּשָּׁנָ֡ה
“Three times in the year”
This functions as an adverbial phrase of time and frequency. The use of the construct noun פְּעָמִים (“times”) with the number שָׁלֹשׁ prefaces the action that follows, serving as a temporal scope marker for the obligation in the main clause. Its placement at the head of the verse gives it thematic prominence, syntactically fronted for emphasis.
Passive Imperfect and Collective Obligation
יֵרָאֶ֨ה כָל־זְכוּרְךָ֜
“shall be seen all your males”
The verb יֵרָאֶה is a Niphal imperfect 3rd masculine singular of the root ר־א־ה (“to see”), passive voice. The unusual syntax places the passive verb before the subject כָל־זְכוּרְךָ (“all your males”), typical of Hebrew VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) order. However, the Niphal is not simply passive, but often conveys reflexive or middle meaning. Many commentators interpret it here as “appear” rather than “be seen,” giving an involuntary-reflexive nuance: “shall appear.”
The collective subject כָל־זְכוּרְךָ (literally “all your males”) anchors the command socially, and syntactically matches the gender and number of the verb.
Direct Object of Appearance: The Face of YHWH
אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
“before the face of YHWH your God”
The object marker אֶת introduces a non-personal object which is nevertheless highly anthropomorphic: the face (פְּנֵי) of God. The syntax merges physical imagery with spiritual intimacy. Although the verb is Niphal and often functions intransitively (“appear”), this verse retains a quasi-object of the appearance to deepen the relational dimension of divine worship.
Locative Subordination and Divine Choice
בַּמָּקֹום֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִבְחָ֔ר
“in the place which He will choose”
The prepositional phrase בַּמָּקֹום introduces the locative complement, while the relative clause אֲשֶׁר יִבְחָר (from בָּחַר, “to choose”) restricts the location to the sacred geography of divine election. The relative clause is verbless in English but is built with a prefixed imperfect verb in Hebrew, giving it a future modal sense—“that He shall choose.”
This construction adds a note of future contingency and aligns the syntax with Deuteronomy’s emphasis on centralization of worship.
Tripartite Festival Coordination
בְּחַ֧ג הַמַּצֹּ֛ות וּבְחַ֥ג הַשָּׁבֻעֹ֖ות וּבְחַ֣ג הַסֻּכֹּ֑ות
“at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths”
The triple prepositional repetition (בְּ marking each feast) shows asyndetic emphasis—no conjunction before the last item. This strengthens their equal weight and rhythmically punctuates the pilgrimages. The syntactic parallelism reinforces the semantic one: all three festivals require appearance before YHWH.
Final Negation: Appearing Empty-Handed
וְלֹ֧א יֵרָאֶ֛ה אֶת־פְּנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה רֵיקָֽם
“And none shall appear before the face of YHWH empty(-handed)”
This clause returns to the same verb יֵרָאֶה but negated with לֹא. The syntactic repetition intensifies the legal and liturgical weight. The object אֶת־פְּנֵי יְהוָה repeats as well, creating an inclusion (inclusio) that frames the verse with “appearance before YHWH.”
The adverbial accusative רֵיקָם (“empty”) carries an implicit ethical directive: worship must be accompanied by offering. The Hebrew word placement places רֵיקָם at the end, giving it emphatic terminal position and solemn finality.
Theology of Syntax: From Calendar to Covenant
This verse is syntactically elegant and theologically rich:
- Passive verbs that imply active piety
- Relative clauses that link geography to divine will
- Parallel structures that reinforce religious rhythm
Through its syntax, Deuteronomy 16:16 establishes worship not as spontaneous or voluntary, but structured, communal, and sacredly appointed. The sequence of verbs, modifiers, and prepositions builds a grammar of devotion—each clause a rung on the ladder of pilgrimage.
Syntax as Sacred Schedule
This verse encapsulates the Hebrew Bible’s ability to transform time, space, and worship into a structured reality governed by divine rhythm. Every syntactic choice amplifies the covenantal call: presence, offering, and obedience must align. Language becomes liturgy, and syntax becomes a summons to sacred encounter.