Deuteronomy 15:14
Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
Original Language Analysis
תַּֽעֲנִיק֙
Thou shalt furnish
H6059
תַּֽעֲנִיק֙
Thou shalt furnish
Strong's:
H6059
Word #:
1 of 12
to collar, i.e., adorn with a necklace; figuratively, to fit out with supplies
תַּֽעֲנִיק֙
Thou shalt furnish
H6059
תַּֽעֲנִיק֙
Thou shalt furnish
Strong's:
H6059
Word #:
2 of 12
to collar, i.e., adorn with a necklace; figuratively, to fit out with supplies
מִצֹּ֣אנְךָ֔
out of thy flock
H6629
מִצֹּ֣אנְךָ֔
out of thy flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
4 of 12
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וּמִֽגָּרְנְךָ֖
and out of thy floor
H1637
וּמִֽגָּרְנְךָ֖
and out of thy floor
Strong's:
H1637
Word #:
5 of 12
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
וּמִיִּקְבֶ֑ךָ
and out of thy winepress
H3342
וּמִיִּקְבֶ֑ךָ
and out of thy winepress
Strong's:
H3342
Word #:
6 of 12
a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בֵּֽרַכְךָ֛
hath blessed
H1288
בֵּֽרַכְךָ֛
hath blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
8 of 12
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
יְהוָ֥ה
of that wherewith the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of that wherewith the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 12
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
Historical Context
In agrarian Israel, livestock, grain, and wine represented capital, not mere commodities—the means of production. Giving these to freed servants transferred wealth-generating capacity, not just consumables. This radical generosity distinguished Israelite society from surrounding cultures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing your resources as 'God's blessing to redistribute' rather than 'my achievement to protect' change your generosity?
- What capital goods (wealth-generating assets, skills, connections) could you share to empower others' flourishing?
- In what ways does Acts 2:44's 'all things common' reflect this Deuteronomic principle of covenant generosity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him—The motivation for generosity: you're redistributing God's blessing, not surrendering your achievement. This destroys pride: What hast thou that thou didst not receive? (1 Corinthians 4:7). The master's wealth came from God's blessing, making stinginess toward the freed servant ingratitude toward God.
The Greek word koinonia (κοινωνία, 'fellowship, sharing') describes the early church: All that believed were together, and had all things common (Acts 2:44). This wasn't communism but recognition that the earth is the LORD's (Psalm 24:1). We're stewards, not owners. The servant law embodied 'kingdom economics': abundant grace produces generous giving, creating flourishing community.