Leviticus 23:22

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּקֻצְרֶ֔ךָ
And when ye reap
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
קְצִֽירְךָ֖
of thy harvest
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
#4
אַרְצְכֶ֗ם
of your land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#5
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#6
תְכַלֶּ֞ה
thou shalt not make clean riddance
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#7
פְּאַ֤ת
of the corners
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
#8
שָֽׂדְךָ֙
of thy field
a field (as flat)
#9
בְּקֻצְרֶ֔ךָ
And when ye reap
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
#10
וְלֶ֥קֶט
any gleaning
the gleaning
#11
קְצִֽירְךָ֖
of thy harvest
severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)
#12
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
תְלַקֵּ֑ט
neither shalt thou gather
properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean
#14
לֶֽעָנִ֤י
them unto the poor
depressed, in mind or circumstances
#15
וְלַגֵּר֙
and to the stranger
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
#16
תַּֽעֲזֹ֣ב
thou shalt leave
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#17
אֹתָ֔ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
אֲנִ֖י
i
#19
יְהוָ֥ה
I am the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃
your God
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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Leviticus. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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