📖 Biblical Definition
Chag (חַג) is the Hebrew word for the three great pilgrimage feasts at which every Israelite male was required to appear before the LORD at the central sanctuary: "Three times in the year shall all thy males appear before the LORD God" (Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:16). The three are Passover (Pesach, with Unleavened Bread), the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot / Pentecost), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Chag is distinguished from other holy days (Sabbath, Day of Atonement, new moons) — it specifically denotes a pilgrimage festival, a covenant gathering of the whole people in the place the LORD chose to put His name. All three find their substance and fulfillment in Christ.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Hebrew "feast" — specifically the three pilgrimage festivals.
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The Hebrew word for the three annual pilgrimage feasts at which all male Israelites were required to appear at the central sanctuary: Passover (with Unleavened Bread), Weeks / Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Distinct from other holy days. The same root underlies Arabic hajj. Christ as a Jewish male went up to Jerusalem for the chagim regularly (e.g., John 7's Sukkot).
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 23:14 — "Three times thou shalt keep a feast (chag) unto me in the year."
Deuteronomy 16:16 — "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles."
John 7:14 — "Now about the midst of the feast (chag, here Sukkot) Jesus went up into the temple, and taught."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Most Christians use "feast" for any biblical festival; the specific chag (pilgrimage) category gets blurred.
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Three feasts are chagim (pilgrimage); others are not. The distinction matters: the chagim demanded physical pilgrimage to the central sanctuary, costly and disruptive of normal life. Israel's rhythms were set by these required journeys.
Recover the pilgrimage shape: faith in Scripture is repeatedly framed as pilgrimage to a central God-meeting. Hebrews 11 names the patriarchs as pilgrims; the saint walks the same road.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew chag; cognate Arabic hajj.
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['Hebrew', 'H2282', 'chag', 'feast, pilgrimage']
['Hebrew', 'H2287', 'chagag', 'to make a pilgrimage feast']
Usage
"Three chagim: Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles."
"Pilgrimage to the central sanctuary."
"Faith is pilgrimage-shaped."