Deuteronomy 15:10 kjv
Thou 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.
Deuteronomy 15:10 nkjv
You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.
Deuteronomy 15:10 niv
Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Deuteronomy 15:10 esv
You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.
Deuteronomy 15:10 nlt
Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.
Deuteronomy 15 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 11:24-25 | "There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty...The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself." | Giving brings more, withholding brings lack. |
| 2 Cor 9:6-7 | "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." | Emphasizes cheerful giving and bountiful return. |
| Lk 6:38 | "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." | Divine principle of recompense for giving. |
| Acts 20:35 | "I have shown you in every respect that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | The blessedness of giving over receiving. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's provision in response to generosity. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse... And try Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it." | God's promised overflowing blessing for obedience in giving. |
| Prov 23:7 | "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." | The importance of a sincere heart in giving. |
| Matt 6:2-4 | "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet...But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." | Emphasizes attitude and the secret reward of giving. |
| Prov 28:27 | "He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses." | Direct consequence of giving versus withholding. |
| Ps 41:1-3 | "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble; The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive..." | Blessings for those who care for the needy. |
| Heb 13:16 | "And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." | Good deeds and sharing as sacrifices pleasing to God. |
| Rom 12:8 | "...he who gives, with liberality..." | The manner of giving – liberally/generously. |
| Jas 2:15-16 | "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" | Emphasizes active demonstration of love over empty words. |
| Isa 58:10-11 | "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness...And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places..." | Blessing of guidance and provision for helping the poor. |
| 1 Jn 3:17 | "But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" | Connects lack of compassion to absence of God's love. |
| Dt 28:1-2, 8 | "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments...then all these blessings shall come upon you...The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand..." | General promise of blessing for obedience. |
| Lev 25:35-37 | "‘If your brother becomes poor among you and falls into poverty with you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you...do not take usury or interest from him." | Command to support poor brethren without usury. |
| Exo 23:10-11 | "Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, but in the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat..." | Foundation for the Year of Release, including provision for the poor. |
| Ps 112:5 | "Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely..." | Blessings for the good and generous. |
| Dt 24:19 | "When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." | Reminder of leaving provisions for the poor, linked to blessing. |
Deuteronomy 15 verses
Deuteronomy 15 10 Meaning
Deuteronomy 15:10 commands the Israelite believer to give generously and willingly to the poor and needy without a begrudging heart, particularly in the context of the Year of Release (Shemittah). It directly states that such an act of selfless giving, driven by compassion and obedience, will result in comprehensive blessings from the Lord God in all their endeavors. The verse establishes a clear divine principle: when humanity acts with kindness and generosity toward the vulnerable, God responds by ensuring their prosperity and fruitfulness. It links outward action with inward attitude and divine recompense, emphasizing God's covenantal faithfulness to bless those who follow His commands for justice and mercy.
Deuteronomy 15 10 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 15 specifically details laws concerning the Sabbatical year, known as the Year of Release (Shemittah), which was to occur every seventh year. The chapter opens with the command to release all debts among Israelites at the end of every seven-year cycle (Dt 15:1-6). It then shifts focus to a specific plea for compassion towards the poor within the community, even amidst the economic adjustments of the release year (Dt 15:7-8). The people were warned not to harden their hearts or refuse to lend to a needy brother, especially as the Year of Release approached, lest they fear losing their investment (Dt 15:9). Verse 10 builds directly upon this warning, explicitly stating the divine expectation for giving without resentment and promising comprehensive blessings as a direct result. Following this, the chapter continues with laws regarding the release of Hebrew slaves (Dt 15:12-18), showing a consistent theme of compassion, justice, and cyclical socio-economic reset for the Israelite community, all predicated on their covenant relationship with Yahweh and His promise of blessing for obedience.
Deuteronomy 15 10 Word analysis
- You shall surely give him: The Hebrew phrase is naton titen lo (נָתוֹן תִּתֵּן לוֹ). The repetition of the verb natan (to give) in the infinitive absolute before the finite verb strongly emphasizes the command. It's not just "you shall give," but "you shall surely give," "you shall definitely give," or "you must indeed give." This underscores the imperative nature and importance of the action. It implies a generous, full, and complete act of giving, leaving no room for half-heartedness or delay. This construct is often used in the Torah for weighty, non-negotiable commands.
- And your heart: The Hebrew word is levavkha (לְבָבְךָ), referring not just to the physical organ, but the core of one's being – encompassing thoughts, emotions, will, and conscience. It signifies the inner attitude from which actions proceed.
- Shall not be grieved: The Hebrew is lo yitzav (לֹא-יִצַּב) or lo-yihtzav. The root atzav (עָצַב) means to feel pain, to be troubled, sorrowful, or resentful. In this context, it specifically means that one's heart should not feel distressed, burdened, begrudging, or resentful at the act of giving. It emphasizes that the giving should be done willingly and cheerfully, not out of duress or a sense of loss. It’s an instruction against any form of inner stinginess or bitterness when helping the less fortunate.
- When you give: This reinforces the action as the condition for the promised blessing, directly linking the act of giving with the divine response.
- Because for this cause: The Hebrew phrase ki bighlal hahdavar hazeh (כִּי בִּגְלַל הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה) establishes a clear causal link. It literally means "because on account of this matter." "This matter" refers specifically to the act of ungrudging, willing generosity towards the needy. God's blessing is presented as a direct, assured consequence of this obedient and compassionate behavior.
- The Lord your God: YHWH Elohekha (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ). This double name emphasizes both God's covenantal relationship with Israel (YHWH, the personal, covenant God) and His universal power and sovereignty (Elohim, the Creator God). It highlights that the blessing comes from the One who is faithful to His covenant promises and possesses all authority to bring about what He declares.
- Will bless you: The Hebrew verb is yivarakhekha (יְבָרֶכְךָ) from the root barak (בָּרַךְ), to bless. This denotes an active impartation of divine favor, prosperity, fruitfulness, and well-being. It is God's initiative to bestow good upon His people.
- In all your work: This signifies the blessing's broad scope, encompassing every aspect of daily life, labor, and endeavors, especially those involving production, trade, or sustenance. It's a promise of general success and fruitfulness.
- And in all to which you put your hand: This reiterates and expands on "all your work," covering any project, enterprise, or activity undertaken. The blessing is comprehensive, not limited to a single area, ensuring divine favor touches every aspect of the giver's life, implying productivity and successful outcomes across the board.
Words-Group analysis:
- "You shall surely give him and your heart shall not be grieved": This pairing highlights the crucial connection between outward action and inward disposition. It's not enough to perform the act of giving; the spirit in which it is done matters greatly to God. This sets the Israelites apart from purely ritualistic or transactional acts, demanding a moral and spiritual purity in their generosity. It underscores the ethic of love as the motivation for their social laws.
- "Because for this cause the Lord your God will bless you": This clause demonstrates a fundamental principle of covenant theology: obedience brings blessing. God's blessing is not arbitrary but tied to His people's adherence to His righteous standards. This connection assures the believer that their act of charity is not a loss but an investment in divine favor and a reflection of God’s own giving nature. It challenges a mindset of scarcity and fear, replacing it with one of abundance and trust in God's provision.
- "in all your work and in all to which you put your hand": This comprehensive scope of blessing speaks to God's desire for His people's holistic well-being. It indicates that their faithful stewardship and compassionate acts towards the less fortunate will not lead to personal deficit but rather to widespread prosperity, touching all aspects of their life and livelihood. This stands in contrast to secular understandings of economy where giving often implies a direct loss or deficit for the giver.
Deuteronomy 15 10 Bonus section
The concept expressed in Deuteronomy 15:10 can be seen as an early articulation of God's desire for His people to create a society where poverty is actively alleviated, and economic justice prevails. It establishes that generosity is not merely optional benevolence but a divine command, deeply interwoven with their covenant obligations and national prosperity. This verse combats any worldview that might view the poor as cursed or solely responsible for their condition, instead placing a societal and individual responsibility on the privileged to care for them. It contrasts sharply with ancient pagan beliefs where deities often demanded appeasement and sacrifice, whereas the God of Israel promises blessings not merely for ritualistic acts but for ethical and compassionate behavior towards fellow humans. Furthermore, the comprehensiveness of the promised blessing ("in all your work and in all to which you put your hand") implies that God does not merely restore what was given, but grants overflowing fruitfulness that permeates every sphere of the generous giver's life, exceeding the measure of the gift. This teaches a theology of divine abundance that flows through human channels of mercy.
Deuteronomy 15 10 Commentary
Deuteronomy 15:10 is a pivotal verse within the Mosaic Law, articulating a core principle of divine economy: cheerful generosity towards the needy yields abundant blessings from God. It specifically challenges the Israelite to overcome human tendencies toward stinginess or resentment, particularly as the seventh year of debt release approached, when lending might seem risky. The emphasis on a heart "not grieved" is crucial; God values the spirit behind the gift as much as the gift itself. This command transcends mere economic transaction; it’s an instruction for culturing a benevolent character in line with God’s own compassionate nature (as He provides for Israel). The promise of blessing in "all your work and in all to which you put your hand" is God's guarantee that such liberality will not lead to loss, but rather to an overarching, comprehensive divine favor, demonstrating His commitment to supply all needs and reward faithful obedience. This principle foreshadows New Testament teachings on sowing and reaping, underscoring that our material resources are ultimately God's and are meant to flow through us to bless others, enabling His greater purposes.