σκηνοπηγία, σκηνοπηγίας, ἡ (σκηνή and πήγνυμι, cf. Heb 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: Joh 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 (Lev 23:43), partly as a season of festivity and joy on the completion of the harvest and the vintage (Deu 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 (Neh 8:15-16), and to adorn them with flowers and fruits of all kinds (Lev 23:40) — under which, throughout the period of the festival, they feasted and gave themselves up to rejoicing. This feast is called äÇñËÌëÌåú çÇâ (ἡ) ἑορτή (τῆς) σκηνοπηγίας, Deu 16:16; Deu 31:10; Zec 14:16; Zec 14:18; 1Es 5:50 (51); 1Ma 10:21; Josephus, Antiquities 4, 8, 12; (ἡ) ἑορτή (τῶν) σκηνῶν, Lev 23:34; Deu 16:13; (2Ch 8:13; Ezr 3:4); 2Ma 10:6; σκηναί, Philo de septenar. § 24; ἡ σκηνοπηγία, 2Ma 1:9; 2Ma 1:18; once (twice) (Exo 23:16; (Exo 34:22)) äÇàÈñÄéó çÇâ, i. e. ’the feast of ingathering’ namely, of fruits. (Cf. BB. DD. (especially Ginsburg in Alex.’s Kitto); Edersheim, The Temple, chapter xiv.)