Leviticus 19:9-10
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This isn't just about leaving some crops behind; it's a sacred principle of shared provision. God’s law commands the landowner to intentionally leave portions of the harvest untouched, ensuring that the poor, even strangers, have a guaranteed right to sustenance, not just a handout based on charity.
“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)
This passage is part of a larger section in Leviticus outlining laws for the Israelites' daily life and how they should live out their covenant with God. It directly follows instructions on festivals and offerings, emphasizing that true worship involves practical righteousness and compassion, especially for the vulnerable. The verses immediately after this one continue this theme by extending similar provisions to vineyards and instructing against theft or slander.
Imagine finishing a long, hard harvest, but instead of gathering every last bit, you intentionally leave some behind. Why would God command this?
This command in Leviticus isn't just about charity; it's about reflecting God's own generous character.
A Practical Faith
God tells the Israelites to leave the corners of their fields unreaped and the gleanings uncollected. This wasn't just a suggestion; it was a divine instruction for how to manage their land.
Who Benefits?
These leftovers were specifically for the poor and the strangers (foreigners) living among them. It ensured that those without land or resources still had a way to provide for themselves and their families. It was a built-in system of social support, rooted in God's care for all people.
God's Provision, Our Response
As God provided the land and the harvest, He expected the Israelites to acknowledge His provision by sharing with those less fortunate. This act of leaving portions of the harvest demonstrated trust in God's ongoing provision.
These agricultural laws might seem ancient, but they reveal a profound truth about God's desire for our inner character.
Leviticus 19:9 is more than just an agricultural regulation; it's a spiritual discipline designed to shape the hearts of God's people.
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Beyond Exact Rights
The law explicitly states they should not 'wholly reap' or 'gather every grape.' This means relinquishing the right to absolute ownership and exactness. It's about choosing kindness over claiming every last bit.
Reflecting God's Mercy
The underlying principle is mercy. Just as God is merciful to all His creation, providing rain and sun for everyone, His people were to mirror that generosity. By leaving portions of their harvest, they actively practiced compassion and acknowledged that their prosperity ultimately came from God.
A Foundation for Justice
These laws provided a legal right for the poor, preventing arbitrary decisions and ensuring a consistent safety net. It shows that God's justice includes practical care for the vulnerable, moving beyond mere sentiment to concrete action.
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 directly echoes Leviticus 19:9, repeating the command not to fully reap the fields or gather the fallen fruit, explicitly stating it is for the 'sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow,' highlighting the social justice aspect.
Ruth 2:2This chapter illustrates the law in action, showing Ruth, a foreigner, gleaning in the fields of Boaz. It demonstrates how this commandment provided a tangible way for the vulnerable to survive and find provision through diligent effort and the kindness of others.
Psalm 41:1This verse speaks to the blessedness of considering the poor and weak, aligning with the spirit of Leviticus 19:9. It suggests that showing kindness to those in need, like the poor gleaners, is a mark of true devotion and will bring divine favor.
Matthew 5:7Jesus states, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.' This beatitude captures the essence of the Leviticus law, revealing that acts of compassion and provision for the needy are not just social duties but deeply spiritual principles that reflect God's own character.
Luke 10:30-37The parable of the Good Samaritan powerfully illustrates the principle of selfless compassion for those in need, regardless of their social standing or background. Like leaving gleanings for the poor, this parable calls us to actively care for the vulnerable stranger encountered on our path.
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 isn't just about leaving some crops behind; it's a sacred principle of shared provision. God’s law commands the landowner to intentionally leave portions of the harvest untouched, ensuring that the poor, even strangers, have a guaranteed right to sustenance, not just a handout based on charity.
This passage is part of a larger section in Leviticus outlining laws for the Israelites' daily life and how they should live out their covenant with God. It directly follows instructions on festivals and offerings, emphasizing that true worship involves practical righteousness and compassion, especially for the vulnerable. The verses immediately after this one continue this theme by extending similar provisions to vineyards and instructing against theft or slander.
This passage is part of a larger section in Leviticus outlining laws for the Israelites' daily life and how they should live out their covenant with God. It directly follows instructions on festivals and offerings, emphasizing that true worship involves practical righteousness and compassion, especially for the vulnerable. The verses immediately after this one continue this theme by extending similar provisions to vineyards and instructing against theft or slander.
"“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 isn't just about leaving some crops behind; it's a sacred principle of shared provision. God’s law commands the landowner to intentionally leave portions of the harvest untouched, ensuring t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
