Deuteronomy 24:20
When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זֵֽיתְךָ֔
thine olive tree
H2132
זֵֽיתְךָ֔
thine olive tree
Strong's:
H2132
Word #:
3 of 10
an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְפָאֵ֖ר
thou shalt not go over the boughs
H6286
תְפָאֵ֖ר
thou shalt not go over the boughs
Strong's:
H6286
Word #:
5 of 10
to gleam, i.e., (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e., make clear) oneself; to shake a tree
אַֽחֲרֶ֑יךָ
again
H310
אַֽחֲרֶ֑יךָ
again
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
לַגֵּ֛ר
it shall be for the stranger
H1616
לַגֵּ֛ר
it shall be for the stranger
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
Historical Context
Given circa 1406 BC before Israel possessed the Promised Land's olive groves and vineyards. Olive oil was essential for food, lighting, anointing, and religious rituals—a staple of Mediterranean economy. The law presupposed private land ownership (impossible in Egypt, where Pharaoh owned everything), preparing Israel for an agrarian society structured on covenant justice rather than exploitation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's design allow provision for the poor while preserving their dignity through work?
- What modern economic structures either help or hinder the poor's ability to provide for themselves?
- How can Christians create 'gleaning rights'—systemic opportunities rather than mere charity handouts?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again—the Hebrew lo tefa'er acharekha (לֹא תְפַאֵר אַחֲרֶיךָ) means 'you shall not search/go through after yourself.' After the initial harvest by beating the branches with poles, remnant olives were to remain. It shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow—the three classes most economically vulnerable in ancient society, lacking land inheritance or male providers.
This continues the gleaning laws (also Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22) that institutionalized compassion into Israel's agricultural economy. Unlike charity depending on goodwill, these laws created legal rights for the poor to harvest leftovers. The practice allowed dignified provision through labor rather than begging, preserving both sustenance and self-respect. Ruth and Naomi survived by this system (Ruth 2).