6:16 The people 4 of Israel – the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles 5 – observed the dedication of this temple of God with joy.
1 tn The Hebrew phrase אֶת חַג־הַסֻּכּוֹת (’et khag-hassukot, “festival of huts” [or “shelters”]) is traditionally known as the Feast of Tabernacles. The rendering “booths” (cf. NAB, NASB, NRSV) is probably better than the traditional “tabernacles” in light of the meaning of the term סֻכָּה (sukkah, “hut; booth”), but “booths” are frequently associated with trade shows and craft fairs in contemporary American English. The nature of the celebration during this feast as a commemoration of the wanderings of the Israelites after they left Egypt suggests that a translation like “temporary shelters” is more appropriate.
2 tn Heb “according to what is written.”
3 tn Heb “by number.”
4 tn Aram “sons of.”
5 tn Aram “sons of the exile.”