Lexical Summary
moed: meeting, appointed time, appointed feasts
Original Word:מוֹעֵד
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:mow`ed
Pronunciation:mo-ED
Phonetic Spelling:(mo-ade')
KJV: appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed)
NASB:meeting, appointed time, appointed feasts, appointed times, season, appointed, appointed feast
Word Origin:[fromH3259 (יָעַד - meet)]
1. (properly) an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season
2. (specifically) a festival
3. (conventionally) a year
4. (by implication) an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose)
5. (technically) the congregation
6. (by extension) the place of meeting
7. (also) a signal (as appointed beforehand)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
appointed sign, time, place of, solemn assembly, congregation, set, solemn feast
Or moled {mo-ade'}; or (feminine) moweadah (2 Chronicles 8:13) {mo-aw-daw'}; fromya'ad; properly, an appointment, i.e. A fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand) -- appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).
see HEBREWya'ad
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
yaadDefinitionappointed time, place, or meeting
NASB Translationappointed (3), appointed feast (3), appointed feasts (11), appointed festival (2), appointed meeting place (1), appointed place (1), appointed sign (1), appointed time (21), appointed times (8), appointment (1), assembly (2), definite time (1), feasts (2), festal assemblies (1), fixed festivals (3), meeting (147), meeting place (1), meeting places (1), season (4), seasons (3), set time (1), time (3), times (1), times appointed (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
223Psalm 102:14 ;
Exodus 9:5 183t.;
Deuteronomy 31:10;
Numbers 9:2 2t.;
Lamentations 2:6 3t. + 5 t. suffixes; plural
Daniel 12:7 6t.;
Zechariah 8:19;
1 Chronicles 23:31; 2Chronicles 8:13; construct
Leviticus 23:2 6t.;
Leviticus 23:44; suffixes
Ezekiel 44:24;
Numbers 15:3 6t. suffixes; —
appointed time:
,at an orthe appointed timeGenesis 18:14;Exodus 13:10 (J),Exodus 23:15;Exodus 34:18;Joshua 8:14 (all J E),Genesis 17:21;Genesis 21:2 (P),1 Samuel 9:24;1 Samuel 13:8 (after insert either or Dr),1 Samuel 13:11;2 Kings 4:16,17;Habakkuk 2:3;Daniel 8:19;Daniel 11:27,29,35;at he time appointed with David1 Samuel 20:35 (Thes SSplace appointed); with prefixHosea 2:11;Leviticus 23:4;Numbers 9:2,3,7,13;Numbers 28:2 (P); with2 Samuel 20:5;2 Samuel 24:15unto the time appointed (but dubious, see Dr); with verbsPsalm 102:14;Psalm 75:3;Exodus 9:5 (J);Jeremiah 46:17; the storkJeremiah 8:7knows her appointed time;Deuteronomy 16:6time of thy going forth (from Egypt).
(compareExodus 13:10;Exodus 23:15;Exodus 34:18),sacred season, RV usuallyset feast orappointed season (wider than , which was only a feast celebrated by apilgrimage),day (s)of appointed season (i.e.festivals)Hosea 9:5;Hosea 12:10;Lamentations 2:7,22; singular indefiniteLamentations 1:4; of the feast of boothsDeuteronomy 31:10; ""Hosea 2:13; ""Lamentations 2:6; usually pluralLeviticus 23:2,4,37,44 (P), 2 Chron 2:3Ezra 3:5; with suffixes referring toLeviticus 23:2 (P);Numbers 15:3;Numbers 29:39 (P),Ezekiel 36:38;Ezekiel 46:9;city of our solemnities (sacred seasons)Isaiah 33:20;Zechariah 8:19; ""Ezekiel 44:24; ""Isaiah 1:14;1 Chronicles 23:31; 2Chronicles 8:13; 31:3;Nehemiah 10:34; ""Ezekiel 46:11;Ezekiel 45:17; ""Numbers 10:10 (P). —
It is most probable that inGenesis 1:14 (P), where "" , the reference is to the sacred seasons as fixed by moon's appearance; and so alsohe made the moon for sacred seasonsPsalm 104:19, although many Lexicons & Commentaries refer these to theseasons of the year. —Daniel 12:7for a set time, times, and a half = 3 2-Janappointed times = half the prophetic week of years, compare BrMP 453 f. — they ate throughout thesacred season (ofMaƒƒoth) 2 Chronicles 30:22 AV RV, but Thes SS Be Ke Öttli they atethe offerings of the sacred season; .
appointed meeting:Job 30:23house of meeting for every living (of She'ol);Numbers 16:2 (P)called to the assembly = ;Lamentations 1:15called a festal meeting against me;Psalm 74:4in the midst of thine assembly;Isaiah 14:13mount of meeting orassembly (of the gods; the mountain of the gods in the extreme north, the oriental Olympus, PersianAlborg, HinduMeru, Babylon.Aralli, compare LenOrigines ii, ch. ix).
appointed place:
the temple, ""Lamentations 2:6,afflicted (and driven)from the place of assemblyZephaniah 3:18 (compare BrMP 225).
synagogues,allthe appointed places of El in the landPsalm 74:8 =SotaPsalm 9:15.
appointed sign, signal,Judges 20:38.
tent of meeting (of God with his people: see Niph`al
); (see )Exodus 33:7 (twice in verse);Numbers 12:4;Deuteronomy 31:14 (twice in verse) (E),Numbers 11:16 (J); often in P, asExodus 27:21;Exodus 29:4;Leviticus 1:1,3;Joshua 18:1;Joshua 19:51, etc. (131 t.)>; elsewhere only1 Samuel 2:22b (omitted by ),1 Kings 8:4 2Chronicles 5:5;1 Chronicles 6:17;1 Chronicles 9:21;1 Chronicles 23:32; 2Chronicles 1:3,6,13.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of UsageThe word מוֹעֵד occurs about 223 times in the Old Testament. It designates an appointed occasion fixed by God—whether a meeting place, a sacred assembly, a festival date, or a divinely set moment in history. The uses fall into three primary spheres: (1) the physical site where God meets His people, (2) the calendar of worship festivals, and (3) the prophetic schedule of judgment and redemption.
Moed and the Tabernacle / Temple
From Exodus onward the term is inseparably linked to the “Tent of Meeting,” the sanctuary where the LORD revealed Himself (Exodus 29:42–43;Numbers 7:89). At this locus Aaron and his sons offered regular sacrifices “before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting” (Exodus 29:42). The continual burnt offering, the lighting of the menorah (Exodus 27:21), the daily incense (Exodus 30:34–38), and the reading of the Law all occurred at God’s מוֹעֵד. When the Tabernacle gave way to the Temple, the term still underscored that Israel’s worship was not humanly devised but scheduled and situated by divine decree (2 Chronicles 8:13).
Festivals and the Sacred Calendar
Leviticus 23 calls the annual feast cycle “the appointed feasts of the LORD” (Leviticus 23:2). Each festival is explicitly dated, illustrating that biblical worship rests on God-determined seasons rather than human tradition.
• Passover—Exodus 12:14,Numbers 9:2
• Feast of Unleavened Bread—Exodus 13:10
• Firstfruits—Leviticus 23:10–11
• Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)—Exodus 34:22
• Feast of Trumpets—Leviticus 23:24
• Day of Atonement—Leviticus 16:29; 23:27
• Feast of Tabernacles—Leviticus 23:34
The Sabbatical Year (Leviticus 25:4) and Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:10) extend the principle by sanctifying larger blocks of time.Deuteronomy 16:16 groups the three pilgrimage feasts, commanding every Israelite male to appear “at the place the LORD will choose,” reinforcing the dual idea of appointed time and appointed place.
Appointed Times in Personal and National Life
Jeremiah 8:7 notes that migratory birds are more consistent than wayward Judah: “Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed times.” Such references broaden the concept from liturgical observances to life rhythms established by the Creator.
InEsther 9:27, Israel fixes Purim as an annual מוֹעֵד to remember divine deliverance.Psalm 104:19 credits God with ordering the heavenly luminaries so that seasons (mōʿadim) progress predictably, an ongoing testimony to His covenant faithfulness (Genesis 8:22).
Prophetic and Eschatological Significance
Prophets use the term to mark decisive, often climactic, interventions of God:
•Isaiah 13:22—Babylon’s downfall approaches “her time is at hand.”
•Habakkuk 2:3—“For the vision awaits an appointed time.”
•Daniel 8:19—“It concerns the appointed time of the end.”
•Micah 7:15—Future redemption will mirror the Exodus “as in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them wonders.”
Such passages assure that both judgment and salvation unfold on a precise heavenly timetable.
Moed in Wisdom and Poetic Books
Job laments human frailty within divinely set limits: “Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand?” (Job 7:1).Psalm 75:2 states, “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity,” affirming that moral accountability is clocked by God’s schedule.
Christological Fulfillment
The New Testament presents Jesus Messiah as both the meeting place and the fulfillment of the feast calendar. Passover finds its substance in the crucifixion (Luke 22:15;1 Corinthians 5:7). Firstfruits anticipates the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). Pentecost becomes the Spirit’s outpouring (Acts 2:1). Even future feasts gain eschatological nuance, pointing to the consummation of redemption (Revelation 21:3: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man”).
Distribution Snapshot
• Torah: roughly 171 occurrences—principally Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers.
• Former Prophets: approximately 17 occurrences, mostly in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings.
• Latter Prophets: about 22 occurrences—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the Twelve.
• Writings: around 13 occurrences—Psalms, Job, Chronicles, Esther.
Ministry Implications Today
1. Corporate Worship: God still calls His people to gather at times of His choosing (Hebrews 10:25), reflecting the order embedded in מוֹעֵד.
2. Rhythm of Life: Sabbath rest and church calendar patterns echo the biblical conviction that time itself is covenantal.
3. Prophetic Hope: Confidence in God’s schedule fuels perseverance; the “blessed hope” arrives not a moment late.
4. Personal Devotion: Prayer “at the hour of incense” (Acts 3:1) models individual alignment with sacred rhythms.
Key Reference Index
Exodus 29:42–43 — Daily burnt offering at the Tent of Meeting
Leviticus 23:2 — Synopsis of all appointed feasts
Numbers 9:2 — Passover at its appointed time
Deuteronomy 31:10 — Reading the Law at the Feast of Booths
Psalm 102:13 — “The appointed time has come” for Zion’s favor
Jeremiah 46:17 — Egypt’s doom fixed to an appointed time
Habakkuk 2:3 — Vision awaits its appointed time
Daniel 8:19 — Appointed time of the end
Esther 9:27 — Purim established as an annual moed
Ezra 10:14 — Assembly to address intermarriage at an appointed time
From Tabernacle courts to prophetic horizons, מוֹעֵד testifies that history advances by God’s calendar, not human conjecture.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּמ֣וֹעֲדֶ֔יהָ בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם בְּמֹעֵ֛ד בְּמֽוֹעֲד֑וֹ בְּמוֹעֲד֑וֹ בְּמוֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם בְּמוֹעֲדָֽם׃ בְּמוֹעֲדֽוֹ׃ בַּמּֽוֹעֲדִים֒ במועדו במועדו׃ במועדיה במועדיכם במועדים במועדם׃ במעד במעדו במעדיכם הַמּוֹעֵ֖ד הַמּוֹעֵֽד׃ הַמּוֹעֵד֙ המועד המועד׃ וְהַמּוֹעֵ֗ד וְלַמֹּעֲדִ֑ים וְלַמּ֣וֹעֲד֔וֹת וּֽבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֮ וּֽלְמֹעֲדִ֖ים וּֽלְמוֹעֲדֵ֖י וּבַמּוֹעֲדִ֗ים וּלְמ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים וּמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֙ ובמועדיכם ובמועדים והמועד ולמועדות ולמועדי ולמועדים ולמעדים ומועדיכם לְמוֹעֲדִ֑ים לְמוֹעֲדָ֑הּ לְמוֹעֵ֖ד לְמוֹעֵ֣ד לְמוֹעֵ֥ד לְמוֹעֵ֨ד לְמוֹעֵד֙ לַמּוֹעֲדִ֗ים לַמּוֹעֵ֔ד לַמּוֹעֵ֕ד לַמּוֹעֵ֖ד לַמּוֹעֵ֛ד לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד לַמּוֹעֵ֣ד לַמּוֹעֵ֤ד לַמּוֹעֵ֥ד לַמּוֹעֵֽד׃ לַמּוֹעֵד֙ למועד למועד׃ למועדה למועדים מִמּוֹעֵ֛ד מֹעֲדֵ֖י מֽוֹעֲדִ֜ים מֽוֹעֲדֵ֑נוּ מֽוֹעֲדֶ֔יהָ מוֹעֲד֑וֹ מוֹעֲדֵ֖י מוֹעֲדֵ֣י מוֹעֲדֵ֥י מוֹעֲדֵי־ מוֹעֲדֶ֑ךָ מוֹעֲדַ֣י מוֹעֲדָֽהּ׃ מוֹעֲדָֽי׃ מוֹעֵ֑ד מוֹעֵ֔ד מוֹעֵ֖ד מוֹעֵ֗ד מוֹעֵ֛ד מוֹעֵ֜ד מוֹעֵ֣ד מוֹעֵ֤ד מוֹעֵ֨ד ׀ מוֹעֵֽד׃ מוֹעֵד֒ מוֹעֵד֙ מוֹעֵד֩ מוֹעֵד֮ מועד מועד׃ מועדה׃ מועדו מועדי מועדי־ מועדי׃ מועדיה מועדים מועדך מועדנו ממועד מעדי bam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm bammoaDim bammōw‘ăḏîm bə·mō·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem bə·mō·‘ă·ḏōw bə·mō·‘êḏ bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏām bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏe·hā bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem bə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏōw bəmō‘ăḏêḵem bəmō‘ăḏōw bəmō‘êḏ bemoaDam bemoadeiChem beMoaDeiha bemoaDo bemoEd bəmōw‘ăḏām bəmōw‘ăḏehā bəmōw‘ăḏêḵem bəmōw‘ăḏōw ham·mō·w·‘êḏ hammoEd hammōw‘êḏ lam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm lam·mō·w·‘êḏ lammoaDim lammoEd lammōw‘ăḏîm lammōw‘êḏ lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏāh lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm lə·mō·w·‘êḏ lemoaDah lemoaDim lemoEd ləmōw‘ăḏāh ləmōw‘ăḏîm ləmōw‘êḏ mim·mō·w·‘êḏ mimmōw‘êḏ mimoEd mō‘ăḏê mō·‘ă·ḏê mō·w·‘ă·ḏāh mō·w·‘ă·ḏay mō·w·‘ă·ḏāy mō·w·‘ă·ḏê mō·w·‘ă·ḏê- mō·w·‘ă·ḏe·hā mō·w·‘ă·ḏe·ḵā mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·nū mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm mō·w·‘ă·ḏōw mō·w·‘êḏ moaDah moaDai moaDecha moaDei moaDeiha moaDenu moaDim moaDo moEd mōw‘ăḏāh mōw‘ăḏay mōw‘ăḏāy mōw‘ăḏê mōw‘ăḏê- mōw‘ăḏehā mōw‘ăḏeḵā mōw‘ăḏênū mōw‘ăḏîm mōw‘ăḏōw mōw‘êḏ ū·ḇam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm ū·ḇə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem ū·lə·mō·‘ă·ḏîm ū·lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê ū·lə·mō·w·‘ă·ḏîm ū·mō·w·‘ă·ḏê·ḵem ūḇammōw‘ăḏîm ūḇəmōw‘ăḏêḵem ūləmō‘ăḏîm ulemoaDei uleMoaDim ūləmōw‘ăḏê ūləmōw‘ăḏîm umoadeiChem ūmōw‘ăḏêḵem uvammoaDim uvemoadeiChem vehammoEd velammoaDim velamMoaDot wə·ham·mō·w·‘êḏ wə·lam·mō·‘ă·ḏîm wə·lam·mō·w·‘ă·ḏō·wṯ wəhammōw‘êḏ wəlammō‘ăḏîm wəlammōw‘ăḏōwṯ
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
