In Old Testament Israel there were seven great ceremonial festivals which were to be observed annually. Four of these (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost) were held in the spring and summer of the year, and three (Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Booths or Tabernacles) were held in the fall. The Jewish liturgical and/or religious year began in the first month of the Hebrew calendar year with Passover. The civil year began with Trumpets in the seventh month. The spring festivals symbolized the beginning or revival of religious life, and the fall, the cutting off of the religious year.

On several of these festive occasions Israel was to observe Sabbaths which were in addition to the regular weekly Sabbath (cf. Lev. 23:3,37,38; cp. vv. 4-36,39-44; Col. 2:16). Likewise, sacrifice and the giving of tithes and offerings was stressed. Thus, the idea of rest and worship was prevalent.