Deuteronomy 16 17

Deuteronomy 16:17 kjv

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

Deuteronomy 16:17 nkjv

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

Deuteronomy 16:17 niv

Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 16:17 esv

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.

Deuteronomy 16:17 nlt

All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 16 verses

Deuteronomy 16 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy 16:17 sets forth a principle for offerings presented during the three annual pilgrim festivals. It mandates that every Israelite man who appears before the Lord should bring an offering that is proportional to his financial ability, and importantly, proportionate to the blessings the Lord their God has already bestowed upon him. It is a freewill offering born out of gratitude for divine provision, not a fixed tax.

Deuteronomy 16 17 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 16 focuses on instructions concerning Israel's annual worship practices, specifically the three pilgrim festivals: Passover/Unleavened Bread, Weeks (Pentecost), and Booths (Tabernacles). These feasts required all Israelite males to journey to the central sanctuary to appear before the Lord. Verse 16:16 explicitly commands, "None shall appear before the LORD empty-handed." Verse 16:17 then clarifies how the offering is to be made. It specifies that the offering is not a fixed, universal amount, but rather a proportional offering given according to one's capacity, directly linked to the specific blessings and prosperity God has provided to that individual. This principle ensures that the poor are not unduly burdened, while encouraging the wealthy to give generously, reflecting a grateful heart in response to divine grace rather than fulfilling a mere legalistic quota. This also contrasts with pagan worship that often involved rigid tributes or superstitious rites, emphasizing instead a thankful and personal act within a covenant relationship.

Deuteronomy 16 17 Word analysis

• Every man (אִישׁ, 'ish): Refers to adult Israelite males, who were commanded to appear at the annual pilgrim festivals (Deut 16:16). While the direct command is to males, the underlying principle of proportional giving extends to all believers as an act of worship.

• shall give (יִתֵּן, yitten): From the verb nātan, meaning "to give," "to place," or "to grant." The verbal form here indicates a clear directive or expectation. It emphasizes an active, volitional offering rather than a passive obligation. This "giving" is an act of offering, not merely handing over.

• as he is able (כְּמַתְּנַת יָדוֹ, kəmatnat yado): Literally translates to "according to the gift of his hand" or "according to the ability of his hand." Matnat (gift) here signifies the extent of one's capacity, resources, or means. It underscores the concept of proportionality and discretion, acknowledging the varied economic statuses among the Israelites. It requires an honest self-assessment of one's prosperity.

• according to (כְּ, kə): A preposition denoting "in proportion to," "commensurate with," or "like." It reinforces the idea that the offering should correspond to a specific measure.

• the blessing (בִּרְכַּת, birkat): From berakah, meaning "blessing," "prosperity," or "favor." This is a crucial theological term. It highlights that the act of giving is fundamentally a grateful response to God's prior act of blessing. It’s a reciprocal act, acknowledging that all prosperity—whether agricultural bounty, wealth, health, or family—originates from God's benevolence.

• of the LORD thy God (יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, YHWH Eloheykha): Explicitly identifies the source of all blessing. YHWH (the LORD) is God’s covenant name, signifying His personal relationship with Israel, while Elohim (God) is the general name for the divine. "Thy God" reaffirms this specific covenant bond, reminding Israel of His faithfulness and sovereignty.

• which he hath given thee (אֲשֶׁר נָתַן־לְךָ, ’asher natan-lekha): Literally "which He has given to you." This phrase unequivocally attributes all possessions and prosperity directly to God's generosity. It establishes a fundamental truth: nothing one possesses is truly self-earned but is a gracious gift from God. This perspective encourages humility and deters pride in material wealth, fostering a spirit of stewardship.

• "Every man shall give as he is able": This phrase emphasizes individual responsibility and an equitable expectation for giving. It means that everyone, regardless of their wealth, is expected to participate in giving, but the amount should be based on their specific means, preventing undue burden on the less affluent and encouraging generosity from the more prosperous. It moves beyond rigid, equal demands, allowing for personal devotion to be expressed through a proportionate contribution.

• "according to the blessing...which he hath given thee": This passage highlights the profound theological foundation of giving. It transforms giving from a mere duty into an act of worship and gratitude. The amount one gives reflects their recognition of and appreciation for God’s prior provision. It's not about earning favor but about responding to favor already received, viewing wealth as a divine endowment rather than an independent acquisition. This connects a practical religious act (offering) with a deeper theological understanding of God’s sovereignty over all creation and all prosperity.

Deuteronomy 16 17 Bonus section

• This principle discourages any sense of meritocracy in giving, emphasizing that contributions flow from a recipient’s gratitude rather than an attempt to "buy" favor or earn blessing. Blessings are already freely given by God.
• It serves as an important check against covetousness or greed, implicitly reminding the wealthy that their abundance is God-given and meant, in part, to be shared in worship and support of His kingdom.
• The emphasis on "his hand" (yado) may subtly indicate the tangible, personal effort and acquisition linked to the blessing, yet still points to God as the ultimate source behind it.
• This passage highlights the interconnectedness of theology and practical living; what one believes about God's nature (as the Provider) directly impacts their financial stewardship and worship.
• The giving commanded here is implicitly a "freewill" offering, distinct from fixed tithes or specific sin/burnt offerings. It speaks to a level of spontaneous generosity that exceeds mere compliance, fostering deeper spiritual devotion.

Deuteronomy 16 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 16:17 presents a timeless principle of giving rooted in grace and gratitude. It teaches that our offerings to God are not arbitrary contributions or burdensome taxes, but rather a proportional and personal response to the divine blessings already received. God's generosity precedes our own; therefore, our giving is an act of acknowledging His sovereignty and showing thankfulness for His provision. This verse cultivates a mindset where prosperity is understood as a gift from God, demanding faithful stewardship and cheerful reciprocity rather than mere accumulation or self-reliance. It ensures equity in giving—where the rich give significantly and the poor are not shamed—fostering true worship that stems from a heart attuned to God's bounteous nature.

Examples of practical application:

• A prosperous merchant would offer a substantial gift, reflecting his greater increase.
• A farmer who just had a lean harvest would give a smaller, yet still sincere, offering within his reduced means.
• In contemporary Christian giving, a believer with a higher income would contribute a larger proportion than one on a limited fixed income, both giving from their "blessing."