Deuteronomy 26 14

Deuteronomy 26:14 kjv

I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

Deuteronomy 26:14 nkjv

I have not eaten any of it when in mourning, nor have I removed any of it for an unclean use, nor given any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that You have commanded me.

Deuteronomy 26:14 niv

I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything you commanded me.

Deuteronomy 26:14 esv

I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me.

Deuteronomy 26:14 nlt

I have not eaten any of it while in mourning; I have not handled it while I was ceremonially unclean; and I have not offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God and have done everything you commanded me.

Deuteronomy 26 verses

Deuteronomy 26 14 Meaning

Deuteronomy 26:14 encapsulates a solemn declaration by an Israelite completing the presentation of the triennial tithe. It is an affirmation of their scrupulous adherence to the divine commands regarding the holy offerings. The speaker attests to three specific prohibitions: not using the tithe while in a state of mourning, not contaminating it by association with ritual uncleanness, and not offering any part of it to the dead or in service of idolatry associated with death rites. Finally, the verse culminates in a powerful declaration of obedience to the Lord God, affirming faithful completion of all His commandments regarding this sacred provision. This statement seals the covenant relationship, demonstrating integrity in stewardship of consecrated gifts.

Deuteronomy 26 14 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 26 belongs to the section of the book (Deut 12-26) detailing the laws given to Israel, often referred to as the Deuteronomic Code. Specifically, this chapter describes two crucial ceremonies to be observed once Israel enters the promised land: the presentation of the first fruits and the triennial tithe. The immediate context of verse 14 is the ceremony of declaring completion of the "third year tithe" (also known as the "poor man's tithe") to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow (Deut 26:12). After distributing this tithe, the Israelite was to appear before the Lord, acknowledging faithfulness to God's command regarding this specific portion of their produce. The declaration in verse 14 is a part of this solemn vow, emphasizing internal integrity and separation from forbidden practices in the handling of sacred things. This ritual was not merely about material offering but about spiritual obedience and loyalty to the covenant made at Sinai. It underscored Israel's distinct identity, separate from the pagan practices of the surrounding nations who often associated harvests and offerings with various deities or death cults.

Deuteronomy 26 14 Word analysis

• I have not eaten of it: The declaration of personal restraint. The "it" refers to the tithe of produce that has just been designated and distributed according to the law (Deut 26:12-13). This specific portion was holy, and its use was strictly regulated. The emphasis here is on responsible handling.

• in my mourning (Hebrew: בְּאֵבְלִ֔י, b'evelí):

  • Original Context & Literary Details: Evel refers to a state of grieving, especially for the dead. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, certain mourning rituals could involve ritual uncleanness or pagan practices, such as consumption of specific foods or communion with the dead, which were explicitly forbidden for Israel. Mourning could render an individual ritually unclean (Num 19:11). Eating consecrated food while in such a state, or for purposes connected with pagan death rites, would be a desecration of the tithe and a violation of the covenant. The tithe was intended for the Lord's holy purposes, specifically to sustain the Levites and care for the vulnerable, and was not to be associated with practices contrary to the Mosaic Law. This subtly rejects common pagan funerary practices of the day.

• neither have I taken away [anything] thereof out of any unclean use (Hebrew: וְלֹֽא־בִעַ֨רְתִּי֙ מִמֶּ֣נּוּ בְּטָמֵ֔א, w'lo'-vi'arti mimenu b'ṭamē'):

  • Original Context & Literary Details: The verb בִּעַר (bi'ar) can mean "to consume," "to remove," "to put away," or "to destroy." In this context, it implies diverting or using the holy tithe for any purpose that would make it ritually impure (tame'). Tame' (טָמֵא) denotes a state of ritual impurity, which could be contracted by contact with a corpse (Num 19:11), various bodily discharges (Lev 15), or certain forbidden animals (Lev 11). Holy offerings could not be eaten or used by someone in an unclean state, nor could they be mixed with anything unclean (Lev 7:19-21; 22:3-7). This rule ensures the sanctity of the tithe and guards against its profanation by common or unclean handling. It reaffirms the distinct separation between the sacred and the profane.

• nor given thereof for the dead (Hebrew: וְלֹֽא־נָתַ֥תִּי מִמֶּ֖נּוּ לְמֵ֑ת, w'lo'-nātattī mimmenū l'mēt):

  • Original Context & Literary Details: "For the dead" (l'mēt) refers to offerings or meals given to or for deceased persons. This practice was common in pagan cultures (e.g., ancestor worship, funerary cults, necromancy), where food or libations were offered to departed spirits or used in burial rituals. Such practices were strictly forbidden for Israelites (Deut 18:9-12), as they acknowledged deities other than Yahweh or sought communication with the dead, which was an abomination to God. Using the consecrated tithe for such a purpose would be a grievous sin, merging sacred worship with pagan idolatry and superstition. It highlights the uniqueness of Israel's relationship with the living God, forbidding any association with the cult of the dead.

• [but] I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God (Hebrew: שָׁמַ֤עְתִּי בְּקוֹל֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י, shamá'ti b'qōl Yĕhwáh 'Ĕlōháy):

  • Original Context & Literary Details: This is the pivotal affirmative statement. "Hearkened" (shamati, from שָׁמַע, shama) means not just to hear, but to listen attentively and obediently. It is a fundamental theme throughout Deuteronomy (e.g., Deut 28:1). It signifies covenant loyalty and a proactive commitment to God's will. The Israelite acknowledges that the preceding negative declarations are a direct result of their active obedience to God's commandments concerning the tithe and general conduct. This emphasizes the spiritual commitment underlying the ritual.

• [and] have done according to all that Thou hast commanded me (Hebrew: עָשִׂ֖יתִי כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוִּיתָֽנִי, 'āsîtî k'kōl 'asher-tzivītánî):

  • This final phrase affirms total and unreserved obedience. It is a comprehensive statement covering all aspects of God's instructions regarding the tithe and more broadly, living within the covenant. It confirms that the Israelite has not picked and chosen which commands to obey but has striven for complete fidelity. This reinforces the idea that Israel's well-being is directly tied to their adherence to God's entire covenant law (Deut 28).

Deuteronomy 26 14 Bonus section

This verse provides a powerful example of Israel's distinctive identity in contrast to surrounding cultures. While death cults and ancestral worship were common in the ancient Near East, where offerings were made to ensure prosperity or pacify spirits, Israel's God, Yahweh, was the God of the living, and direct communication or worship of the dead was anathema. The tithe was holy and belonged to Him, meant for the upkeep of His sacred servants (Levites) and for social justice (the poor, foreigners, widows, and orphans), not for profane or pagan purposes. This declaration ritualized an ongoing commitment to a lifestyle of purity and distinctness from paganism. It served as a spiritual audit for the individual Israelite, ensuring personal integrity in stewardship and solidifying their loyalty to the one true God, embodying the principles found later in the New Testament about handling consecrated things and living a life pleasing to God.

Deuteronomy 26 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 26:14 forms a critical part of a liturgical confession made by the Israelite upon presenting the triennial tithe. This declaration goes beyond mere material offering; it signifies a heart posture of devoted obedience and faithfulness to the covenant. By stating what they have not done with the tithe—specifically, refraining from uses associated with pagan mourning rites, ritual impurity, or offerings to the dead—the Israelite affirms their separation from the detestable practices of surrounding nations and their commitment to God's holy standards. This detailed negation not only assures the sanctity of the tithe itself, ensuring it is used purely for God's designated purposes (Levites, strangers, fatherless, widows), but also reflects a deeper theological truth: true worship requires wholehearted commitment and avoidance of any compromise with idolatry or practices that defile God's name or people. The concluding affirmation, "I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that Thou hast commanded me," elevates the act from a simple ritual to a powerful, personal renewal of the covenant, where obedience is presented as the supreme offering. It illustrates that righteousness before God is demonstrated through active and complete adherence to His revealed will.