How Many Fruits Are Required For Celebrating Sukkot | The Four Species Commanded For Sukkot
Excellent question — and a beautiful one to ask during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. 馃尶馃崑
Let’s look carefully at what Scripture says.
馃尵 The Four Species Commanded for Sukkot
In Leviticus 23:40 (KJV), God commands the people of Israel to take four specific species — often including a fruit — to celebrate Sukkot before Him:
> “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”
This verse is the key instruction about the species used for rejoicing during Sukkot.
Jewish and Messianic tradition interprets this verse as referring to four distinct species — known in Hebrew as the Arba Minim (讗ַ专ְ讘ַּ注 诪ִ讬谞ִ讬诐), meaning “the Four Kinds.”
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馃崑 The Four Species (Arba Minim)
1. Etrog (讗ֶ转ְ专讜ֹ讙) — the fruit of a goodly tree
Traditionally identified as the citron (a fragrant citrus fruit).
Represents the heart — symbolizing those who both know Torah and do good deeds.
馃摉 Leviticus 23:40a: “The fruit of a goodly tree…”
2. Lulav (诇讜ּ诇ָ讘) — branch of a palm tree
Represents the spine, symbolizing uprightness and faithfulness before God.
馃摉 Leviticus 23:40b: “…branches of palm trees…”
3. Hadas (讛ֲ讚ַ住) — boughs of thick trees
Identified as myrtle branches.
Symbolizes the eyes, representing beauty and discernment.
馃摉 Leviticus 23:40c: “…and the boughs of thick trees…”
4. Aravah (注ֲ专ָ讘ָ讛) — willows of the brook
Represents the lips, symbolizing prayer and dependence on God.
馃摉 Leviticus 23:40d: “…and willows of the brook…”
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馃晩️ Summary
Type Hebrew Name Symbol Scripture
Fruit of goodly tree (Citron/Etrog) 讗转专讜讙 Heart Leviticus 23:40
Palm branch 诇讜诇讘 Spine Leviticus 23:40
Myrtle branches 讛讚住 Eyes Leviticus 23:40
Willow branches 注专讘讛 Lips Leviticus 23:40
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✡️ Messianic Reflection
For Messianic believers, these four species also beautifully foreshadow Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) — the One who embodies all righteousness and joy before God:
The Etrog (fruit) represents the purity and sweetness of His heart.
The Palm recalls His victory and kingship (cf. John 12:13 — “They took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him…”).
The Myrtle and Willow remind us of His prayers and tears for Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–42).
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馃尶 In Summary:
One fruit — the Etrog (citron) — is required,
but it is part of a set of four species that are taken together during Sukkot for rejoicing before the LORD.
馃摉 Scriptural reference:
> “And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”
— Leviticus 23:40
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