Deuteronomy 23:25
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This isn't just about stealing; it's about need versus greed. While you can take a little to ease immediate hunger when passing through, using a sickle implies a larger harvest, which would be taking advantage and essentially stealing.
If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger section of laws in Deuteronomy that outlines ethical conduct and justice for the Israelites, especially concerning their interactions with others and the land. These regulations are given as Moses prepares the people to enter the Promised Land, guiding them on how to live righteously before God and one another. The verse specifically addresses how to act when passing through a neighbor's field, distinguishing between taking a small amount for immediate need and outright theft.
Ever felt hungry and came across a field of ripe grain? This ancient law gives us a peek into God's practical care for His people, even in surprising ways.
This verse lays out a clear distinction between taking what you need and taking what isn't yours.
Need vs. Greed
God's law here allows for immediate, basic sustenance. A hungry traveler passing through a neighbor's field could pluck and eat ears of grain to satisfy their hunger. This was a compassionate provision, recognizing that people sometimes need immediate relief.
The Line Drawn
However, the law draws a firm line. 'You shall not put a sickle to your neighbor's standing grain.' This means no harvesting, no gathering in bulk, and no taking more than what your hand could hold for immediate consumption. It’s the difference between accepting a sip of water from a well and draining it dry.
Beyond just survival, what does this law teach us about how we should treat others and their property?
This command is more than just a practical rule; it’s a lesson in respecting your neighbor's livelihood and property.
Recognizing Labor
The standing grain represents the fruit of a neighbor's hard work and investment. To indiscriminately harvest it with a sickle would be to disregard their effort, their planning, and their right to the produce of their land.
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Trust and Generosity
This law fosters a sense of community and trust. It implies that neighbors should be able to pass through fields without their property being damaged, and that a traveler in genuine need should be able to find basic sustenance without reprisal. It's a principle of mutual respect that underpins a healthy society.
Understand the original words
qamah · Hebrew Noun
Cereal crops grown in a field; in the Law, these represent a source of sustenance provided by God, often with specific regulations for gleaning to provide for the poor and the traveler.
chermesh · Hebrew Noun
A metal agricultural tool with a curved blade used for harvesting; its prohibition in a neighbor's field distinguishes between immediate consumption for sustenance and the theft of property.
This passage directly illustrates Deuteronomy 23:25, showing Jesus' disciples plucking and eating grain as they walked through a field, a common practice permitted by this Old Testament law.
Luke 6:1Similar to Matthew's account, Luke also records the disciples picking and eating grain on the Sabbath, highlighting the practical application and interpretation of this Old Testament allowance in everyday life.
Ruth 2:8This story shows Boaz extending hospitality and protection to Ruth by instructing her to glean only in his fields, echoing the spirit of generosity and care inherent in Deuteronomy 23:25's allowance for travelers.
Leviticus 19:9This verse shares a similar principle of considerate care for the poor and needy, instructing not to harvest the edges of fields completely, allowing the destitute to gather what remains, which complements the allowance in Deuteronomy for travelers.
pooleDeuteronomy 23:25: "When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn."
No text from Poole on this verse.
gillDeuteronomy 23:25: "When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn."
When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour,.... Passest through it to go to some other place, the road lying through it, as it often does through standing corn; so Christ and his disciples are said to go through the corn, Matthew 12:1 ; but Jarchi says this Scripture speaks of a workman…
This isn't just about stealing; it's about need versus greed. While you can take a little to ease immediate hunger when passing through, using a sickle implies a larger harvest, which would be taking advantage and essentially stealing.
This passage is part of a larger section of laws in Deuteronomy that outlines ethical conduct and justice for the Israelites, especially concerning their interactions with others and the land. These regulations are given as Moses prepares the people to enter the Promised Land, guiding them on how to live righteously before God and one another. The verse specifically addresses how to act when passing through a neighbor's field, distinguishing between taking a small amount for immediate need and outright theft.
This passage is part of a larger section of laws in Deuteronomy that outlines ethical conduct and justice for the Israelites, especially concerning their interactions with others and the land. These regulations are given as Moses prepares the people to enter the Promised Land, guiding them on how to live righteously before God and one another. The verse specifically addresses how to act when passing through a neighbor's field, distinguishing between taking a small amount for immediate need and outright theft.
"If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain." — This isn't just about stealing; it's about need versus greed. While you can take a little to ease immediate hunger when passing through, using a sickle implies a larger harvest, which would be ta…
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Last reviewed October 2026
