Pilgrimage

A journey made to a holy or revered place as an act of devotion or duty. As well as Jerusalem, there were several such holy places in Israel.

The annual pilgrimages

Exodus 34:23–24; Luke 2:41–42 See also Exodus 23:14, Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16, Deuteronomy 31:11; 2 Chronicles 5:2–3, 2 Chronicles 30:1, 2 Chronicles 30:13; Lamentations 1:4; Ezekiel 46:9; Zechariah 14:16–19; John 5:1, John 7:14

Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. For I will drive out the nations before you and enlarge your borders, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times a year to appear before the LORD your God.

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.

Pilgrimages to Jerusalem

Psalm 122:1–4 See also Psalm 84:5; Isaiah 2:3, Isaiah 30:29; Micah 4:2; Acts 2:5–11

A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

Accompanying sacrifices

1 Kings 12:27–28; Isaiah 1:12

Other centres of pilgrimage

1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Kings 3:4, 1 Kings 12:26–30

Used metaphorically

Genesis 47:9 See also Hebrews 11:13–16

“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”