In reading Leviticus 23:42, one Bible version says: "You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra’el is to live in a sukkah"; while another version suggests that only "Native born Israelites" are to dwell in a sukkah. So, which is it? Only the native-born Israelites, or the rest of us who are grafted in?
Teacher, author and host of “Random Groovy Bible Facts” - Jeremy Chance Springfield, explains:
The text uses a phrase that basically means "native of Israel," being כָּל־הָאֶזְרָח בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל KOL HA'EZRACH B'YISRAEL. It literally means "all who spring up in Israel." The idea is of a plant like a sapling coming out of the ground, or the sunrise peeking up from the horizon.
This is a commandment specifically mandating Israelites to perform. A sojourner is not mandated to do so. This is specific to Israelites that they must do this. We must admit that some commandments are allowed to be done by Israelites and foreigners, but this is just making the statement that absolutely without question Israelites must do this.
That said, this is one of the commandments that will later be applied to all nations. In the Messianic Era, Zechariah 14 states that people from all nations will be expected to observe Sukkot in Israel. Therefore, the mandate will change in the future to embrace all peoples.
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