Leviticus 19:9-10
“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. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This command isn't just about leaving a little extra food; it’s a deliberate act of trusting God as the ultimate provider, even when it means letting go of the exact edge of your own gain. It's a practical way to embody mercy, ensuring that even the most vulnerable have a place in God's provision.
This command comes amidst a section of Leviticus detailing various laws for holiness and right living, following direct instructions from God on how to approach Him. It's part of a series of regulations that show God's deep concern for the vulnerable, including instructions on caring for the poor and strangers, which directly precedes and follows this directive about the harvest.
Imagine harvesting your entire field, every last bit. What if God’s command means not doing that? This isn't just about charity; it's about reflecting God’s own generous heart.
A Generous God
The Lord declares, “I am the Lord your God.” This isn't just a sign-off; it's the foundation for the command that follows. He is the ultimate owner of the land and its produce. He’s providing for Israel, and in His boundless generosity, He reserves a portion for the vulnerable.
Intentional Leave-Behinds
The commands to leave the corners of the field unreaped and to not gather gleanings (fallen ears of grain) weren’t accidental oversights. They were intentional provisions. God wanted His people to actively set aside resources for the poor, the stranger (foreigner), the widow, and the orphan. This law demonstrated that their prosperity was a gift from God, a gift to be shared.
This isn't about legal loopholes or finding the bare minimum. God’s law here calls for something deeper than just following the letter of the command.
The Spirit of Mercy
The rabbis debated the exact measurements for the 'corner' left behind, but the core principle was clear: Israel was to operate with a spirit of mercy, not exactness. They were to be willing to give up their precise, legal rights for the sake of kindness and compassion to those suffering from want.
Including Strangers
It's significant that the law explicitly includes 'strangers' alongside the poor. These were foreigners living in Israel who had no land inheritance. This broadens the scope of God's care beyond just His own people, showing a heart for all who are vulnerable.
Understand the original words
‘ānī · Hebrew Noun
The poor and needy who lack resources. In the Old Testament, God commands care for these individuals as a reflection of His own character.
gēr · Hebrew Noun
A foreigner or temporary resident living within the community. The law required that they be treated with justice and hospitality, reflecting Israel's own history as foreigners.
This passage repeats the command regarding gleaning, explicitly extending it to include vineyards and oliveyards, reinforcing the principle of caring for the poor and sojourners through agricultural provisions.
Ruth 2:2Ruth's action of gleaning in Boaz's field directly illustrates this law in practice, showing how the poor could find sustenance and favor by following these ancient instructions.
Matthew 12:1Jesus' disciples gleaning grain on the Sabbath leads to a discussion that touches on the spirit of the Law, highlighting how compassion for the needy should not be overlooked, even in ritual observance.
2 Corinthians 9:6This New Testament passage speaks to the principle of generous giving, echoing the spirit of Leviticus where sowing generously leads to a bountiful harvest, a concept that can be extended from agricultural abundance to spiritual blessings.
Luke 10:7Jesus instructs his disciples to 'remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide,' which shares the underlying theme of providing for those who serve, similar to how the land's provision was to extend to the poor and stranger.
bensonLeviticus 19:9: "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 19:9-10 . Thou shalt not gather the gleanings of thy harvest — They were not to be exact in carrying all off, but were to leave some part to be gleaned and reaped by their poor neighbours, whether Israelites or Gentiles. And thou shall not glean thy vineyard — When they had cut off the great bunches, they were not to…
pulpitLeviticus 19:9: "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."
Verses 9, 10. - The injunction contained in these verses, to not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither... gather the gleanings of thy harvest, is twice afterwards repeated (Leviticus 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19-22). In Deuteronomy, the oliveyard is specified together with the harvest-field and the vineyard, and it is added…
This command isn't just about leaving a little extra food; it’s a deliberate act of trusting God as the ultimate provider, even when it means letting go of the exact edge of your own gain. It's a practical way to embody mercy, ensuring that even the most vulnerable have a place in God's provision.
This command comes amidst a section of Leviticus detailing various laws for holiness and right living, following direct instructions from God on how to approach Him. It's part of a series of regulations that show God's deep concern for the vulnerable, including instructions on caring for the poor and strangers, which directly precedes and follows this directive about the harvest.
This command comes amidst a section of Leviticus detailing various laws for holiness and right living, following direct instructions from God on how to approach Him. It's part of a series of regulations that show God's deep concern for the vulnerable, including instructions on caring for the poor and strangers, which directly precedes and follows this directive about the harvest.
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"“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. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes…" — This command isn't just about leaving a little extra food; it’s a deliberate act of trusting God as the ultimate provider, even when it means letting go of the exact edge of your own gain. It's a p…
