Bible Lexicons

σκηνοπηγία, σκηνοπηγίας, ἡ (σκηνή and πήγνυμι, cf. Hebrews 8:2);

1. the construction of a tabernacle or tabernacles: ἡ τῆς χελιδονος, the skill of the swallow in building its nest, Aristotle, h. a. 9, 7 (p. 612{b}, 22).

2. the feast of tabernacles: John 7:2. This festival was observed by the Jews yearly for seven days, beginning with the 15th of the month Tisri (i. e. approximately, Oct.; cf. BB. DD., under the word ), partly to perpetuate the memory of the time when their ancestors after leaving Egypt dwelt in tents on their way through the Arabian desert (Leviticus 23:43), partly as a season of festivity and joy on the completion of the harvest and the vintage (Deuteronomy 16:13) ('the feast of ingathering' (see below)). In celebrating the festival the Jews were accustomed to construct booths of the leafy branches of trees — either on the roofs or in the courts of their dwellings, or in the streets and squares (Nehemiah 8:15, 16), and to adorn them with flowers and fruits of all kinds (Leviticus 23:40) — under which, throughout the period of the festival, they feasted and gave themselves up to rejoicing. This feast is called הַסֻּכּות חַג (ἡ) ἑορτή (τῆς) σκηνοπηγίας, Deuteronomy 16:16; Deuteronomy 31:10; Zechariah 14:16, 18; 1 Esdr. 5:50 (51); 1 Macc. 10:21; Josephus, Antiquities 4, 8, 12; (ἡ) ἑορτή (τῶν) σκηνῶν, Leviticus 23:34; Deuteronomy 16:13; (2 Chronicles 8:13; Ezra 3:4); 2 Macc. 10:6; σκηναί, Philo de septenar. § 24; ἡ σκηνοπηγία, 2 Macc. 1:9, 18; once (twice) (Exodus 23:16; (Exodus 34:22)) הַאָסִיף חַג, i. e. 'the feast of ingathering' namely, of fruits. (Cf. BB. DD. (especially Ginsburg in Alex.'s Kitto); Edersheim, The Temple, chapter xiv.)