Deuteronomy 24:21 - When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean it after yourselves. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Deuteronomy 24:21" mean?
Deuteronomy 24:21, "When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean it after yourselves. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow," is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy that outlines laws intended to protect the vulnerable in Israelite society. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
Harvesting and Gleaning: Harvesting refers to the main gathering of the crops from the vineyard. Gleaning is the act of collecting the leftover grapes after the main harvest is complete.
"You shall not glean it after yourselves": This is the core of the verse. It commands the vineyard owner not to go back through the vineyard and pick up any remaining grapes. The owner and their family or workers were forbidden from benefiting from these leftovers.
"It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow": The grapes left behind were specifically designated for the poor and marginalized in the community.
Foreigner (stranger/sojourner): Those who were not native Israelites and often lacked land or family support.
Fatherless: Orphans who had no father to provide for them.
Widow: Women who had lost their husbands and therefore their primary source of support.
In essence, the verse is a command to leave a portion of the harvest for the poor and vulnerable. It is a form of social welfare mandated by God.
Significance and Interpretation:
Social Justice: This law promotes social justice and compassion by ensuring that even the poorest members of society have access to food.
Dignity: It allows the poor to provide for themselves through their own labor (gleaning), rather than relying solely on charity. This preserves their dignity and reduces dependence.
God's Provision: It reflects the belief that the land and its bounty ultimately belong to God, and that he provides for all people, including the needy. By obeying this law, the Israelites acknowledged God's ownership and their responsibility to share his blessings.
Community Responsibility: It emphasizes the responsibility of the community to care for its less fortunate members. Wealthier individuals were expected to share their abundance with those who lacked resources.
Practical Implementation: While it might seem like a small amount, the cumulative effect of gleaning laws (also applied to grain fields and olive trees) could make a significant difference in the lives of the poor.
Modern Applications:
While we may not have vineyards in the same way today, the principles behind this verse remain relevant. It calls us to:
Be generous with our resources.
Care for the vulnerable in our communities.
Seek ways to empower the poor and marginalized.
Recognize that we are stewards of God's blessings, not their sole owners.
The law of gleaning serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of compassion, social justice, and the responsibility to care for those in need.
Deuteronomy 24:21 - When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean it after yourselves. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
What does "Deuteronomy 24:21" mean?
Deuteronomy 24:21, "When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean it after yourselves. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow," is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy that outlines laws intended to protect the vulnerable in Israelite society. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
Harvesting and Gleaning: Harvesting refers to the main gathering of the crops from the vineyard. Gleaning is the act of collecting the leftover grapes after the main harvest is complete.
"You shall not glean it after yourselves": This is the core of the verse. It commands the vineyard owner not to go back through the vineyard and pick up any remaining grapes. The owner and their family or workers were forbidden from benefiting from these leftovers.
"It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow": The grapes left behind were specifically designated for the poor and marginalized in the community.
Foreigner (stranger/sojourner): Those who were not native Israelites and often lacked land or family support.
Fatherless: Orphans who had no father to provide for them.
Widow: Women who had lost their husbands and therefore their primary source of support.
In essence, the verse is a command to leave a portion of the harvest for the poor and vulnerable. It is a form of social welfare mandated by God.
Significance and Interpretation:
Social Justice: This law promotes social justice and compassion by ensuring that even the poorest members of society have access to food.
Dignity: It allows the poor to provide for themselves through their own labor (gleaning), rather than relying solely on charity. This preserves their dignity and reduces dependence.
God's Provision: It reflects the belief that the land and its bounty ultimately belong to God, and that he provides for all people, including the needy. By obeying this law, the Israelites acknowledged God's ownership and their responsibility to share his blessings.
Community Responsibility: It emphasizes the responsibility of the community to care for its less fortunate members. Wealthier individuals were expected to share their abundance with those who lacked resources.
Practical Implementation: While it might seem like a small amount, the cumulative effect of gleaning laws (also applied to grain fields and olive trees) could make a significant difference in the lives of the poor.
Modern Applications:
While we may not have vineyards in the same way today, the principles behind this verse remain relevant. It calls us to:
Be generous with our resources.
Care for the vulnerable in our communities.
Seek ways to empower the poor and marginalized.
Recognize that we are stewards of God's blessings, not their sole owners.
The law of gleaning serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of compassion, social justice, and the responsibility to care for those in need.