Deuteronomy 14:29
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וְנַֽחֲלָ֜ה
nor inheritance
H5159
וְנַֽחֲלָ֜ה
nor inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
עִמָּ֗ךְ
H5973
עִמָּ֗ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
8 of 24
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְ֠הַגֵּר
with thee and the stranger
H1616
וְ֠הַגֵּר
with thee and the stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ
which are within thy gates
H8179
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ
which are within thy gates
Strong's:
H8179
Word #:
13 of 24
an opening, i.e., door or gate
וְשָׂבֵ֑עוּ
and be satisfied
H7646
וְשָׂבֵ֑עוּ
and be satisfied
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
15 of 24
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
לְמַ֤עַן
H4616
לְמַ֤עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
16 of 24
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֙
may bless
H1288
יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֙
may bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
17 of 24
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֣ה
that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
thee in all the work
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
thee in all the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
21 of 24
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָֽדְךָ֖
of thine hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֖
of thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
22 of 24
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Deuteronomy 14:27And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.Deuteronomy 15:10Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Deuteronomy 16:11And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.Psalms 41:1Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.Proverbs 11:24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.Deuteronomy 16:14And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.Deuteronomy 12:12And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.Leviticus 19:34But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Historical Context
In ancient agrarian economies, the triennial tithe's public distribution at local gates (city entrances) created accountability—everyone saw who gave and who received. This transparency prevented corruption while ensuring comprehensive care for society's most vulnerable members.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise of blessing for generosity differ from 'prosperity gospel' theology that treats giving as a financial transaction?
- What practical steps can you take to ensure the vulnerable in your community are 'satisfied,' not merely surviving?
- In what ways does Christ's generosity (becoming poor to make you rich) motivate and model your own giving?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the Levite, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow...shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied—The same four groups appear repeatedly in Deuteronomy (16:11, 14; 24:19-21; 26:12-13), demonstrating God's relentless concern for the vulnerable. They shall be satisfied (שָׂבַע, sava, 'filled, satiated')—not minimal survival but true sufficiency.
That the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand—Generosity unlocks blessing. Give, and it shall be given unto you (Luke 6:38). He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly (2 Corinthians 9:6). Yet the motive must be obedience, not manipulation—blessing follows generosity but isn't purchased by it. Jesus embodied ultimate generosity: Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). Our giving mirrors His.