Deuteronomy 23:24 - When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard, then you may eat of grapes your fill at your own pleasure; but you shall not put any in your container.
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What does "Deuteronomy 23:24" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 23:24 addresses the practice of allowing a hungry person to eat from a neighbor's vineyard (or field, as similar verses cover grain). It's about gleaning and the responsibility of landowners to allow those in need to eat what they find, on the spot.
Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard..." This sets the context: someone is passing through or near a neighbor's vineyard.
"...then you may eat of grapes your fill at your own pleasure..." This is the key permission. A hungry person is allowed to eat as many grapes as they need to satisfy their hunger. This highlights the emphasis on immediate needs being met. The phrase "at your own pleasure" underscores the permission is given freely.
"...but you shall not put any in your container." This is the restriction. The person is allowed to eat the grapes, but they are not allowed to take any grapes away with them to sell, store, or otherwise profit from.
Therefore, the verse means:
You are allowed to freely eat grapes from your neighbor's vineyard to satisfy your immediate hunger. However, you are prohibited from harvesting grapes and taking them away for future use or profit.
Context and Significance:
This law is part of a series of laws in Deuteronomy that protect the poor and vulnerable. It emphasizes:
Compassion and Generosity: Landowners are expected to be generous and allow those in need to glean from their fields and vineyards.
Immediate Needs: The focus is on providing immediate relief from hunger.
Preventing Theft: The prohibition against taking grapes away prevents the practice from being exploited as a form of unauthorized harvesting or theft.
The verse reflects a society where land ownership was concentrated, and access to food was vital for survival. It provided a safety net for those who might be struggling to find enough to eat, fostering a sense of community and responsibility. It highlights the tension between individual property rights and the social responsibility to care for those in need.
Deuteronomy 23:24 - When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard, then you may eat of grapes your fill at your own pleasure; but you shall not put any in your container.
What does "Deuteronomy 23:24" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 23:24 addresses the practice of allowing a hungry person to eat from a neighbor's vineyard (or field, as similar verses cover grain). It's about gleaning and the responsibility of landowners to allow those in need to eat what they find, on the spot.
Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard..." This sets the context: someone is passing through or near a neighbor's vineyard.
"...then you may eat of grapes your fill at your own pleasure..." This is the key permission. A hungry person is allowed to eat as many grapes as they need to satisfy their hunger. This highlights the emphasis on immediate needs being met. The phrase "at your own pleasure" underscores the permission is given freely.
"...but you shall not put any in your container." This is the restriction. The person is allowed to eat the grapes, but they are not allowed to take any grapes away with them to sell, store, or otherwise profit from.
Therefore, the verse means:
You are allowed to freely eat grapes from your neighbor's vineyard to satisfy your immediate hunger. However, you are prohibited from harvesting grapes and taking them away for future use or profit.
Context and Significance:
This law is part of a series of laws in Deuteronomy that protect the poor and vulnerable. It emphasizes:
Compassion and Generosity: Landowners are expected to be generous and allow those in need to glean from their fields and vineyards.
Immediate Needs: The focus is on providing immediate relief from hunger.
Preventing Theft: The prohibition against taking grapes away prevents the practice from being exploited as a form of unauthorized harvesting or theft.
The verse reflects a society where land ownership was concentrated, and access to food was vital for survival. It provided a safety net for those who might be struggling to find enough to eat, fostering a sense of community and responsibility. It highlights the tension between individual property rights and the social responsibility to care for those in need.