Deuteronomy 24:19
When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִקְצֹר֩
When thou cuttest down
H7114
תִקְצֹר֩
When thou cuttest down
Strong's:
H7114
Word #:
2 of 21
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
קְצִֽירְךָ֙
thine harvest
H7105
קְצִֽירְךָ֙
thine harvest
Strong's:
H7105
Word #:
3 of 21
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
וְשָֽׁכַחְתָּ֧
and hast forgot
H7911
וְשָֽׁכַחְתָּ֧
and hast forgot
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
5 of 21
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
עֹ֣מֶר
a sheaf
H6016
עֹ֣מֶר
a sheaf
Strong's:
H6016
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, a heap, i.e., a sheaf; also an omer, as a dry measure
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָשׁוּב֙
thou shalt not go again
H7725
תָשׁוּב֙
thou shalt not go again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 21
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְקַחְתּ֔וֹ
to fetch
H3947
לְקַחְתּ֔וֹ
to fetch
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 21
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
לַגֵּ֛ר
it it shall be for the stranger
H1616
לַגֵּ֛ר
it it shall be for the stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְמַ֤עַן
H4616
לְמַ֤עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
15 of 21
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 #:
16 of 21
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 #:
17 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 21
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
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Leviticus 23:22And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.Deuteronomy 14:29And 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.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 26:13Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:Isaiah 32:8But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.Psalms 112:9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.Job 42:12So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.Luke 6:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.Proverbs 14:21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.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.
Historical Context
Leviticus 19:9-10 and 23:22 give similar laws. Ruth's story exemplifies gleaning (Ruth 2)—Boaz generously allowed gleaning, and Ruth worked hard. This provided for Naomi and Ruth while maintaining dignity. The system prevented absolute poverty while avoiding dependency—work was still required. Modern equivalents might include job training programs, employment opportunities, and systems helping people work their way out of poverty rather than perpetual welfare. The goal: meeting needs while preserving dignity and work ethic.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we provide for vulnerable in ways that maintain dignity rather than creating dependency?
- What modern systems balance generosity (providing opportunity) with responsibility (requiring work)?
- How does the promise of divine blessing motivate generosity toward those in need?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Gleaning rights: 'When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.' Forgotten sheaves belong to poor. Landowners can't retrieve overlooked produce—it's gleaners' provision. The beneficiaries (stranger, fatherless, widow) are vulnerable groups. The motivation: 'that the LORD thy God may bless thee'—generosity brings blessing. This institutionalizes charity through agricultural practice, creating dignified work (gleaning) rather than demeaning begging. The wealthy provide opportunity; poor provide labor. This balances generosity with dignity.