Leviticus 19:9 kjv
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
Leviticus 19:9 nkjv
'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest.
Leviticus 19:9 niv
"?'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.
Leviticus 19:9 esv
"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest.
Leviticus 19:9 nlt
"When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop.
Leviticus 19 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 24:19 | "When you reap your harvest... and forget a sheaf... it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow..." | Echoes the law for forgotten sheaves. |
| Deut 24:20 | "When you beat your olive tree... do not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow." | Applies the principle to olive harvests. |
| Deut 24:21 | "When you gather the grapes... you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow." | Extends the principle to grape harvests. |
| Lev 23:22 | "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings... for the poor and the stranger..." | Repetition and clarification of purpose. |
| Ruth 2:2 | "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor." | Narrative illustrating the practice of gleaning. |
| Ruth 2:3 | "So she went and gleaned in the field after the reapers..." | Further narrative example. |
| Prov 14:31 | "Whoever oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors him." | Connects care for poor with honoring God. |
| Prov 19:17 | "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." | Encourages generosity with divine reward. |
| Prov 28:27 | "Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse." | Blessings for giving, curses for withholding. |
| Ps 41:1 | "Blessed is the one who considers the poor; in the day of trouble the Lord delivers him." | Blessing for those who care for the poor. |
| Ps 112:9 | "He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever..." | Commends righteousness through generosity. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | "Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor..." | Prophetic emphasis on justice and mercy. |
| Lev 19:10 | "And you shall not strip your vineyard bare... for the poor and for the sojourner you shall leave them." | Continues the law for vineyards. |
| Lev 19:18 | "You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." | Underlies the ethical basis of the law. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Summarizes God's core requirements. |
| Matt 25:35-40 | "...I was hungry and you gave me food... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." | New Testament parallel to caring for needy. |
| Lk 12:33 | "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy." | Command to give from surplus. |
| Gal 2:10 | "Only they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." | Apostolic emphasis on helping the poor. |
| 1 Tim 6:18-19 | "...Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for yourselves as a good foundation..." | Call to generous and good works. |
| Heb 13:16 | "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." | Sacrifice of sharing is pleasing to God. |
| Jas 1:27 | "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." | Defines true religion as caring for vulnerable. |
| 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..." | Critiques faith without practical charity. |
| Jas 2:8 | "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well." | Reaffirms love for neighbor as central. |
Leviticus 19 verses
Leviticus 19 9 Meaning
Leviticus 19:9 instructs the Israelites, during their harvest, to intentionally leave the outer edges (corners) of their fields un-reaped and not to gather any fallen stalks or grains (gleanings) from the ground. This commandment ensures that the poor, foreigners, widows, and orphans have access to food, demonstrating God's provision and the nation's communal responsibility towards the vulnerable in their society. It is a direct practical outworking of God's holiness and love.
Leviticus 19 9 Context
Leviticus 19 is known as the Holiness Code, detailing various laws and statutes that define how Israel, as God's chosen people, must live out their covenant relationship with Yahweh. This chapter opens with the declaration, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev 19:2), setting the overarching theme. The subsequent verses outline practical ways for Israel to manifest this holiness in their daily lives, covering ethical, social, ritual, and moral principles. Leviticus 19:9-10 specifically addresses social justice and compassion for the poor and vulnerable (the needy, stranger, fatherless, and widow) within the community, ensuring their right to subsistence. This command contrasts with typical ancient Near Eastern practices where landowners might exploit all resources for themselves, thus reflecting God's unique character and setting Israel apart. It formed part of the divinely established welfare system for the nation, ensuring no one would starve.
Leviticus 19 9 Word Analysis
And when ye reap (וְכִי־תִקְצְרוּ - v'khi tikts'ru): The term
קָצִר(qatsir) refers to "harvest" or "reaping." The instruction begins with "when" (וְכִי), indicating this is an active and expected practice, setting up a command within a common activity. It's a foundational agricultural task.the harvest (קְצִיר - qetsir) of thy land (אַרְצְכֶם - arts'khem): Reinforces the context as an agricultural society dependent on the land for sustenance. "Thy land" implies personal ownership but, importantly, reminds them of God's ultimate ownership (Lev 25:23).
thou shalt not wholly reap (לֹא תְכַלֶּה - lo tekhalleh): This phrase uses the negative
לֹא(lo) withכלה(kalah), which means "to finish," "complete," or "consume." It's a prohibition against making an absolute end or a thorough job. There must be an intentional cessation, a deliberate act of incompleteness. This is not about inefficiency but commanded generosity.the corners (פְּאַת - pe'at) of thy field (שָׂדְךָ - sad'kha):
פְּאָה(pe'ah) specifically means "corner," "edge," or "side." In the context of agriculture, it referred to leaving a section of the field uncut. This was a visible, easily identifiable, and enforceable demarcation for the poor. It prevented them from trespassing deeper into the field.שָׂדֶה(sadeh) is the common word for "field" or "countryside."
neither shalt thou gather (וְלֶקֶט - v'leqet) the gleanings (קְצִירְךָ - qetsircha):
לֶקֶט(leqet) refers to "gleanings," which are individual stalks or ears of grain that have fallen during the harvest, or that were missed by the reapers. This ensured that even the smallest portion was available for those in need, signifying comprehensive provision.לֶקֶטis not explicitly a verb here but implies the action of not picking up all of them. The corresponding verb isלֹא תְלַקֵּטfrom Leviticus 23:22.- This distinguishes between the deliberate untouched corner and the accidentally missed/dropped pieces, both designated for the needy.
"thou shalt not wholly reap the corners" (לֹא תְכַלֶּה פְּאַת שָׂדְךָ): This phrase describes leaving the standing crop at the edge of the field. It's an active decision to restrict one's own harvest, demonstrating self-limitation for the benefit of others. It required intentional planning by the landowner or farmer.
"neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest" (וְלֶקֶט קְצִירְךָ לֹא תְלַקֵּט): This refers to not returning to pick up what has been missed or dropped. It required a different kind of discipline, allowing chance occurrences and minor omissions to benefit the poor, reflecting trust that God would provide the farmer with sufficient yield even with these allowances.
Leviticus 19 9 Bonus Section
The laws of Pe'ah and Leqet demonstrate that God's plan for Israel's economic justice was fundamentally different from purely self-serving or merit-based systems common in other ancient cultures. This was not social welfare enforced by taxes but by direct, personal responsibility rooted in faith and gratitude for God's provision. It distinguished Israel as a nation that valued every member, especially the vulnerable. It reminds us that blessings are given not just for personal consumption but also for redistribution and generosity, mirroring the overflowing abundance of God's grace. The concept suggests that prosperity comes with a spiritual and communal obligation, where the "owner" is really a steward of God's resources.
Leviticus 19 9 Commentary
Leviticus 19:9 is a foundational commandment revealing God's character and His vision for a just and compassionate society. It is more than a charitable act; it is a divinely mandated right for the poor. The land owner was commanded to limit his self-interest by leaving a portion for others. This dual instruction, "leaving the corners" and "not gathering gleanings," covers both deliberate and incidental generosity. Pe'ah (corners) was a standing invitation for the poor to come and collect, a proactive provision. Leqet (gleanings) ensured that no bit of food was wasted and all potential resources were utilized, allowing the poor to follow the reapers.
This law discouraged complete self-reliance and instilled a dependence on God, not only for the poor but also for the landowner, who had to trust that his permitted "loss" would not result in personal lack. It fostered dignity for the poor, as they were "working" for their food rather than receiving handouts, promoting their sense of self-worth within the community. Furthermore, it built community solidarity, fostering compassion among the affluent and ensuring basic needs were met, preventing widespread destitution and promoting the common good. This command transcended mere economic policy; it was an act of holiness, mirroring God's own generosity and provision.
Examples of practical usage:
- Tithing and Giving: Modern parallels include dedicating a fixed percentage of income or resources to charitable causes or church ministries that aid the poor.
- Volunteerism: Sacrificing personal time or effort to serve the needy.
- "Giving margin": Intentionally creating "margin" in one's life, whether in finances, time, or resources, to share with others in spontaneous or planned ways, mirroring the intentional leaving of "corners."
- Sustainable practices: Not "consuming wholly" but considering the needs of future generations or the less privileged when making economic or environmental choices.