Deuteronomy 26 13

Deuteronomy 26:13 kjv

Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.

Deuteronomy 26:13 nkjv

then you shall say before the LORD your God: 'I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.

Deuteronomy 26:13 niv

Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.

Deuteronomy 26:13 esv

then you shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.

Deuteronomy 26:13 nlt

Then you must declare in the presence of the LORD your God, 'I have taken the sacred gift from my house and have given it to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, just as you commanded me. I have not violated or forgotten any of your commands.

Deuteronomy 26 verses

Deuteronomy 26 13 Meaning

Deuteronomy 26:13 is part of a liturgical declaration an Israelite was to make after delivering the triennial tithe (also known as the "poor man's tithe"). The verse describes the person affirming before the Lord their God that they have faithfully and thoroughly disbursed the consecrated portion—collected from their harvest—to the Levite, the foreigner (resident alien), the fatherless, and the widow, in full compliance with all of God's commands. It signifies a profound act of integrity, honesty, and total obedience, confirming that no part of the tithe was held back, misdirected, or forgotten, demonstrating a genuine adherence to God's covenant and justice.

Deuteronomy 26 13 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 26 is part of a series of commands and exhortations given by Moses to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land. It stands as a concluding section to the legal material found in chapters 12-26, which outlines the statutes and ordinances of the covenant. Chapter 26 presents two distinct liturgical confessions designed for formal declaration before the Lord: the offering of firstfruits (vv. 1-11) and the declaration regarding the triennial tithe (vv. 12-15). This specific verse (Deut 26:13) forms a pivotal part of the second declaration. After setting aside and distributing the third-year tithe to specific vulnerable groups and the Levites (as commanded in Deut 14:28-29), the Israelite was required to make a public and solemn oath-like statement of faithful compliance to God. This act underscored individual accountability, community welfare, and covenant faithfulness, reinforcing that God's blessing was contingent upon diligent obedience to His revealed will, particularly concerning justice and generosity towards the needy. It marked the purification of one's household by completing sacred obligations.

Deuteronomy 26 13 Word analysis

• Then say to the LORD your God:

  • This initiates a formal, solemn declaration or prayer addressed directly to the God of the Covenant, YHWH (the LORD). It implies accountability to the highest authority. The phrasing "your God" emphasizes the personal and exclusive relationship between Israel and God established by the covenant.

• I have removed the sacred portion:

  • I have removed (Hebrew: Biy'artiy - בִּעַרְתִּי): This verb means "to consume," "to purge," "to sweep away," or "to clear away completely." It implies thoroughness and integrity; the Israelite has not merely "taken out" or "given away" but has completely "cleared" their house of any reserved or retained portion of the tithe. It is an affirmation that no part of the tithe has been hoarded, misused, or held back, signifying absolute compliance and purity in the act.
  • the sacred portion (Hebrew: HaKodesh - הַקֹּדֶשׁ, referring here specifically to HaMa'aser HaShlishi, the tithe of the third year, Deut 14:28-29): This refers to the special tithe due in the third and sixth years of the seven-year cycle. It is called "sacred" because it is set apart and consecrated for God's purposes, specifically for the support of those who had no inherited land—the Levites—and for the vulnerable—the resident alien, the orphan, and the widow. It signifies that what belongs to God and is designated for His purposes must be handled with utmost reverence and integrity.

• from my house:

  • This specifies where the tithe was stored after harvest, emphasizing individual and household responsibility for collecting and distributing it. The act of "removing" it from "my house" confirms that the individual has fulfilled their obligation from their personal holdings, leaving nothing unlawfully in their possession. It underscores a private duty leading to a public declaration.

• and I have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow,

  • This lists the specific recipients of this sacred tithe. These four groups represent those without an inherited share in the land or those who lacked typical social protection in ancient Israel.
    • Levite (Hebrew: Levi - לֵוִי): Members of the tribe of Levi who served the Tabernacle/Temple; they received no territorial inheritance and were dependent on the tithes for their livelihood.
    • foreigner (Hebrew: Ger - גֵּר): A resident alien or sojourner who lived among the Israelites, often without family or land to support them. Caring for the ger reflected God's own command to remember that Israel themselves were foreigners in Egypt (Deut 10:19). This principle stood in direct contrast to many ancient Near Eastern cultures which often exploited non-citizens.
    • fatherless (Hebrew: Yatom - יָתוֹם): An orphan, usually a child without a living father, leaving them vulnerable and unprotected in society.
    • widow (Hebrew: Almanah - אַלְמָנָה): A woman whose husband had died, often leaving her without a primary source of economic support or social status in patriarchal society.
  • The provision for these groups was a fundamental aspect of God's covenant justice and social ethics in Israel, reflecting His own character as protector of the vulnerable.

• according to all you have commanded me.

  • This is a critical affirmation of full and precise obedience to God's specific instructions, not merely fulfilling a general charitable impulse. It signifies submission to divine authority and an understanding that the act of giving is rooted in covenant fidelity. It rejects arbitrary or selective adherence, affirming comprehensive obedience.

• I have not turned aside from your commands

  • (Hebrew: lo-abartiymimmitsvoteika - לֹא עָבַרְתִּי מִמִּצְוֹתֶיךָ): Literally, "I have not passed over your commands." This denotes active and conscious non-transgression. The individual affirms they have not deviated, swerved, or bypassed any part of God's instructions regarding the tithe. It speaks to adhering to the specified manner, recipients, and timing, avoiding any deliberate departure from the divine blueprint.

• nor forgotten any of them.

  • (Hebrew: velo' shakhachtiymitshal - וְלֹא שָׁכַחְתִּי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ): This is a powerful declaration that complements the previous phrase. It indicates that not only was there no conscious transgression, but also no neglect or forgetfulness through carelessness or oversight. It underscores diligence, careful remembrance, and a thoroughness that extends to all details of the divine requirement. This speaks to both mental engagement with the law and its full practical implementation.

Deuteronomy 26 13 Bonus section

The triennial tithe mentioned here (often called the poor man's tithe or third-year tithe) is distinct from the regular annual tithe given to the Levites for their sustenance (Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:21-24) and the second tithe used for festive meals in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 14:22-27). This particular tithe was collected at home and was distributed locally, underscoring community responsibility for the needy. The act of making this declaration was itself an expression of faith, allowing the individual to appeal to God for blessings after demonstrating complete compliance. It represents an oath-like commitment, putting oneself before God's judgment, anticipating His favor for honest and diligent fulfillment of the divine commands. This confession was designed to be made in sincerity, indicating that God desires not just outward acts of piety but genuine purity of heart and adherence to His complete will.

Deuteronomy 26 13 Commentary

Deuteronomy 26:13 encapsulates a pivotal moment of covenant renewal and personal accountability in ancient Israel. It transforms a prescribed act of tithing into a profound confession of faith and integrity before God. This is not merely an act of giving, but a solemn liturgical declaration—a "negative confession" of sorts—where the Israelite states what they have done (fulfilled the command) and what they have not done (turned aside or forgotten). This transparent declaration was required to invoke God's blessing, reinforcing the reciprocal nature of the covenant: Israel's diligent obedience activated God's promised provisions (Deut 26:15).

The emphasis on "removed... from my house" and distributing to specific vulnerable groups highlights both internal household purity and external social justice. The thoroughness implied by "removed" (purged/cleared) ensures no personal gain or hoarding from consecrated goods. By distributing to the Levite, foreigner, fatherless, and widow, the Israelite directly participated in God's economic and social justice, caring for the marginalized, thereby reflecting God's own character. The repeated affirmation "according to all you have commanded me. I have not turned aside from your commands nor forgotten any of them" signifies complete, precise, and sincere adherence to God's Law. This deep level of obedience demonstrates not just outward conformity but a willing heart dedicated to God's purposes, setting a benchmark for genuine spiritual and ethical conduct.