Deuteronomy 14 25

Deuteronomy 14:25 kjv

Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

Deuteronomy 14:25 nkjv

then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses.

Deuteronomy 14:25 niv

then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose.

Deuteronomy 14:25 esv

then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses

Deuteronomy 14:25 nlt

If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds, put the money in a pouch, and go to the place the LORD your God has chosen.

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 25 Meaning

This verse provides a practical and gracious allowance for Israelites who lived far from the designated central place of worship to fulfill their obligation of bringing the second tithe. It instructs them to convert their agricultural produce (the tithe) into money, secure it for the journey, and travel to the place the Lord their God would choose. There, they were to use this money to buy whatever they desired to eat and drink, sharing a festive meal in the presence of God, emphasizing joyful participation in worship and fellowship rather than a burdensome obligation.

Deuteronomy 14 25 Context

Deuteronomy 14 is a section of Moses' address to Israel as they stand on the verge of entering the Promised Land. The chapter initially reiterates laws regarding clean and unclean animals (Deut 14:3-21), emphasizing their distinctiveness as God's holy people. Following this, the focus shifts entirely to tithing. Verses 22-29 delineate two types of tithes: an annual tithe brought to the central sanctuary for communal feasting (vv. 22-27), and a triennial tithe specifically for the Levites, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow within their local towns (vv. 28-29).

Deuteronomy 14:25 specifically addresses the annual second tithe. This instruction anticipates a settled Israel with some individuals living at a considerable distance from the future central sanctuary (later identified as Jerusalem, though not explicitly named yet). The cultural context is one of an agrarian society, where the tithe consisted of farm produce. God's foresight in allowing the conversion of bulk goods to money showcases divine understanding of practical logistics, ensuring that geographical distance would not become an impediment to joyous participation in His appointed worship. This provision facilitated personal access and enjoyment of the tithe at the Lord's chosen place, contrasting with other tithes meant for the support of the Levites or the poor. It underscore's God's desire for His people to enjoy the blessings He provides in His presence.

Deuteronomy 14 25 Word analysis

• Then exchange it for money (וְנָתַתָּ֙ בַּכֶּ֙סֶף֙ - v’natatta bakkesef):

  • exchange it/you shall give it: Root נתן (natan) - to give, place, set. Here, it implies a transfer or conversion. It signifies the proactive step taken by the worshiper. The phrasing suggests an authorized transaction, not illicit trading. This was a divine allowance, recognizing practical realities.
  • money: כֶּסֶף (kesef) - literally 'silver,' but commonly used to refer to 'money' in general in the Old Testament, as silver was the primary medium of exchange. This highlights portability and concentrated value compared to bulk produce. This foresight provided flexibility and avoided burdensome logistics for the people, ensuring their obedience was practical and accessible, not punitive.

• And bind up the money in your hand (וְצַרְתָּ֧ הַכֶּ֛סֶף בְּיָדְךָ֛ - v’tsarta hakkesef b’yadekha):

  • bind up: צָרַר (tsarar) - to bind, tie up, wrap up, enclose, be in a strait. This verb emphasizes securing the money, often by wrapping it in a cloth (a "purse" or "money bag"). It denotes prudence and care in managing valuable assets during travel, a practical wisdom essential for long journeys. It implies personal responsibility and ownership of the funds.
  • in your hand: בְּיָדְךָ (b’yadekha) - literally "in your hand" or "by your power/possession." It signifies direct, personal custody and control. It conveys the personal nature of the journey and the expenditure, differentiating it from an institutional collection.

• And go to the place that the Lord your God chooses (וְהָלַכְתָּ֙ אֶל־הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִבְחַר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ - v’halakta el-hammakom asher yivchar Adonai Elohekha):

  • And go: הָלַךְ (halakh) - to go, walk, proceed. A fundamental verb of movement. It underlines the pilgrimage aspect – the necessity of making the physical journey.
  • to the place: מָקוֹם (makom) - place, standing place. This refers specifically to the future central sanctuary where God would establish His Name, rather than an arbitrary location. This emphasizes divine authority and centralized worship as key elements of Israel's covenant relationship with God.
  • that the Lord your God chooses: יִבְחַר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ (yivchar Adonai Elohekha) - 'The Lord your God will choose.' This recurring Deuteronomic phrase (e.g., Deut 12:5, 12:11) stresses God's sovereign prerogative in determining the location of worship. It ensures religious unity and guards against decentralized, pagan-influenced cult sites. The designation would eventually point to Jerusalem, the city where God chose to place His Name, which later housed the temple.

Deuteronomy 14 25 Bonus section

• Distinction of Tithes: This specific tithe, often referred to as the "second tithe" or ma'aser sheni, is distinct from the tithe given to the Levites (Numbers 18) and the tithe for the poor (Deut 14:28-29). The uniqueness of the Deut 14:25 tithe is its purpose: to be eaten by the worshiper and their household in joyous fellowship before the Lord, at a central location, promoting national unity around the Lord's sanctuary.
• Application to Finances: The concept of converting assets (produce to money) for a spiritual purpose implies a sanctification of ordinary economic activities when done in obedience to God. It shows that money, though often a source of temptation, can be used legitimately and honorably in acts of worship and obedience. The security advised ("bind up the money") also offers a principle of responsible stewardship even within religious duties.
• Theology of Place: The recurring phrase "the place that the Lord your God chooses" anticipates Jerusalem. This demonstrates God's sovereign orchestration of worship, moving Israel from nomadic shrines to a fixed, designated spiritual center. This ultimately foreshadows a greater fulfillment in Christ, where true worship is not bound to a physical location (Jn 4:21-24) but occurs "in spirit and truth," demonstrating the surpassing glory of the New Covenant.

Deuteronomy 14 25 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:25 stands as a remarkable testament to God's blend of command and compassion in His Law. Far from imposing a rigid, impractical burden, this verse demonstrates divine understanding of human realities. The core principle of tithing and appearing before the Lord at His chosen sanctuary remains paramount. However, acknowledging the practical difficulties of transporting substantial agricultural produce over long distances for a pilgrimage feast, God provides an ingenious and flexible solution: convert it into money.

This provision highlights several key truths. First, it underscores that the heart of obedience matters more than the exact physical form; the spiritual intention behind bringing the tithe for a joyous communal celebration is maintained. Second, it shows God's commitment to facilitating worship rather than hindering it. He doesn't want distance to be an excuse for disobedience, but rather provides a means to overcome such logistical challenges. The "binding up" of the money signifies personal prudence and ownership in carrying out this sacred duty. Lastly, the emphasis on the "place that the Lord your God chooses" reinforces the centralizing theology of Deuteronomy, preventing a fragmented worship that could lead to syncretism or apostasy. This divinely appointed place ensures unity, purity of worship, and the proper observance of feasts, ultimately leading to communal joy and fellowship in God's presence as detailed in the subsequent verses. This passage reflects a divine desire for the well-being and joyful participation of His people in worship.