Deuteronomy 26 2

Deuteronomy 26:2 kjv

That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.

Deuteronomy 26:2 nkjv

that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide.

Deuteronomy 26:2 niv

take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name

Deuteronomy 26:2 esv

you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there.

Deuteronomy 26:2 nlt

put some of the first produce from each crop you harvest into a basket and bring it to the designated place of worship ? the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored.

Deuteronomy 26 verses

Deuteronomy 26 2 Meaning

This verse outlines the initial command for bringing the first agricultural produce of the land to a divinely designated central sanctuary. It mandates that when the Israelites enter and receive the promised land, they are to collect the finest part of their initial harvest, place it in a basket, and bring it to the place where the LORD their God chooses to establish His name for worship. It underscores God's generous provision of the land and the people's required acknowledgment of His ownership and their gratitude through this act of offering.

Deuteronomy 26 2 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 26 marks a climactic point in Moses's addresses to Israel before their entry into the Promised Land. It falls within a section (chapters 12-26) that outlines specific laws and stipulations related to covenant faithfulness. Chapters 1-11 established the historical and theological foundation for the covenant, emphasizing God's past grace and the call to love Him. Chapters 12-26 detail how Israel is to live out this love in their communal life in the land.

Specifically, Dt 26 concerns Israel's obligation to acknowledge God as their benefactor once they inherit the land. It provides two key ceremonies: the firstfruits offering (vv. 1-11) and the tithing of the third year (vv. 12-15). These rituals served to embed gratitude, humility, and reliance on God into the very fabric of Israelite life. The immediate historical context is Israel camped on the plains of Moab, poised to cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest and settlement of Canaan. The commands here are preparatory, teaching them how they are to conduct themselves once they are established in the land God is giving them.

This instruction also implicitly served as a polemic against pagan practices where firstfruits were often offered to local deities for fertility or good harvests. By demanding these offerings be brought to a singular "place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name" (the future tabernacle/temple), the passage affirmed Yahweh as the sole giver of blessings and centralized worship, preventing syncretism and polytheism.

Deuteronomy 26 2 Word analysis

• that you shall take: This phrase indicates an active, personal responsibility. Each individual Israelite or household, as appropriate, was personally accountable for this action.
• some of the first: The Hebrew word is re'shith (רֵאשִׁית). It denotes "first" in time, quality, and prominence; thus, "the first portion" or "the choicest of the first." It's not all produce but a specific, select part that represents the initial bounty. This emphasizes offering the best, not leftovers.
• of all the produce of the ground: Refers to all agricultural yields. This extends beyond just grain to fruit and other cultivated foods, signifying the comprehensiveness of God's blessing on their agricultural efforts.
• which you bring in from your land: Highlights that the act of giving occurs after they have entered and cultivated the land. It also ties the produce directly to the land that God has provided.
• that the LORD your God is giving you: This is a crucial theological statement. The land is explicitly presented as a gracious gift from Yahweh (יהוה), not something earned by conquest or merit. This reminds Israel of their absolute dependence on Him and His covenant faithfulness. This implicitly rejects notions of autonomous productivity or the worship of other "giver" gods.
• and you shall put it in a basket: A practical instruction. The basket (טֶנֶא - tene’) was a common container for agricultural products. It implies careful preparation and dignified presentation of the offering.
• and go to the place: Indicates a pilgrimage. It emphasizes centralization of worship and the unity of the twelve tribes in approaching their God at one designated sanctuary.
• where the LORD your God chooses: The verb bachar (בָּחַר), meaning "to choose," emphasizes divine sovereignty and specific revelation. This place was not arbitrary but divinely appointed (later Shiloh, then Jerusalem), serving to prevent unauthorized worship sites and syncretism.
• to establish His name: Hebrew lashaken shĕmo (לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֹ), "to make His name dwell" or "to set His name." God's "name" here refers to His presence, character, authority, and reputation. It's where God's unique identity would be formally acknowledged and His covenant relation manifested. It doesn't mean God is confined to that place, but that it is the designated locus for encountering Him according to His revealed will.

Words-group analysis

• some of the first of all the produce of the ground: This phrase defines the offering – not merely any part of the harvest, but the initial, finest portion from all the various crops grown in the land. This stresses a proportional and quality-based giving that precedes other usage, demonstrating priority for God.
• from your land that the LORD your God is giving you: This powerfully connects the act of offering directly to the divine source of the land itself. It underscores that the ability to harvest even this firstfruits comes from God's gracious grant of the land, removing any human pride in acquisition. It defines their "land" as "God-given land."
• put it in a basket and go to the place: These instructions detail the procedural aspects of the offering. The journey implies effort, dedication, and pilgrimage, emphasizing the intentionality and significance of the act of worship, distinct from local, ad hoc offerings.
• where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name: This establishes the theological purpose and divine authority for the chosen central sanctuary. It unifies worship around Yahweh, His revealed presence, and His covenant, safeguarding against decentralized, idolatrous worship prevalent among surrounding nations. It's the unique site of official worship for Israel.

Deuteronomy 26 2 Bonus section

• The concept of "firstfruits" extends beyond agricultural produce in the Bible to spiritual realms. Christ is called the "firstfruits" of resurrection (1 Cor 15:20), indicating He inaugurates the ultimate resurrection and guarantees ours. Believers are called "firstfruits" (Jas 1:18) among God's creatures, representing a special class dedicated to God, signifying holiness and dedication. The Holy Spirit is also described as "firstfruits" (Rom 8:23) of our redemption.
• The ceremonial instructions of Deuteronomy 26 demonstrate the importance of physical action and symbolic representation in worship. The basket, the journey, and the offering itself were all physical expressions of internal spiritual commitment and faith.
• This act of bringing firstfruits also cultivated a national identity. By going to a central place and participating in the same ritual, the various tribes of Israel were united in a common act of worship and thanksgiving to their covenant God, reinforcing their shared history and destiny.
• The specificity of "some of the first" is a principle echoed throughout scripture, advocating for giving God the best and the initial portion of one's resources as an act of faith and trust, rather than waiting to see what is left over. This prioritizes God's claim on their lives and possessions.

Deuteronomy 26 2 Commentary

Deuteronomy 26:2 lays the foundational act for a crucial covenant renewal ceremony that celebrates Israel's receipt of the Promised Land. It requires the Israelites, once settled, to bring the initial and best part of their agricultural produce to a central sanctuary chosen by God. This is not merely an agrarian custom but a profound theological declaration. The emphasis on "some of the first" signifies giving God the highest priority and acknowledges that all abundance flows from His hand. By specifying "the LORD your God is giving you" the land, the verse strips away any illusion of human merit or self-sufficiency, ensuring that gratitude and dependence are at the heart of their worship. The centralized "place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name" was vital for maintaining the theological purity and unity of Israel, countering the decentralized polytheistic practices of surrounding cultures. This instruction transforms an act of harvest into an act of worship, trust, and historical remembrance of God's covenant faithfulness, culminating in a public acknowledgment of Yahweh's unique lordship over their lives and their land. It serves as a reminder that blessings bring responsibility, and God demands recognition of His divine provision.