Deuteronomy 14:29

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then the Levi, because he has no share or inheritance like yours, along with the foreigner, the orphan and the widow living in your towns, will come, eat and be satisfied - so that ADONAI your God will bless you in everything your hands produce.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.

American Standard Version:

and the Levite, because he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou doest.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the Levite^{H3881},(because he hath no part^{H2506} nor inheritance^{H5159} with thee,) and the stranger^{H1616}, and the fatherless^{H3490}, and the widow^{H490}, which are within thy gates^{H8179}, shall come^{H935}, and shall eat^{H398} and be satisfied^{H7646}; that the LORD^{H3068} thy God^{H430} may bless^{H1288} thee in all the work^{H4639} of thine hand^{H3027} which thou doest^{H6213}.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 14:29

Deuteronomy 14:29 is part of the broader legal and ethical framework provided in the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Pentateuch (Torah) in the Hebrew Bible. This verse specifically addresses the distribution of tithes within ancient Israelite society. The historical context is that of the Israelites on the brink of entering the Promised Land, where Moses is giving his final speeches, reiterating the law and covenant of God to the new generation.

The verse commands the Israelites to ensure that the Levites (members of the priestly tribe who did not receive a land inheritance), as well as other vulnerable groups such as strangers (foreigners living among the Israelites), fatherless (orphans), and widows, are included in the communal meals associated with the celebration of the tithe. These groups were considered to be at a socio-economic disadvantage and were without the usual means of support that land ownership provided.

The themes of the verse include social justice, compassion for the vulnerable, and the importance of inclusive community practices. By providing for these groups, the Israelites were to acknowledge that their prosperity and success ("the work of thine hand") were blessings from the Lord, and that it was their duty to share these blessings with those in need. The verse implies a reciprocal relationship with God: as the people care for the disadvantaged, they in turn are promised divine blessing. This reflects the broader Deuteronomic theme that obedience to God's laws leads to material and spiritual blessings.

In summary, Deuteronomy 14:29 emphasizes the responsibility of the Israelite community to care for the Levites, strangers, orphans, and widows by inviting them to partake in the fruits of the harvest. This act of charity and solidarity is tied to the belief that such actions please God and result in divine favor and prosperity for the community.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3881
   There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
   Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
   Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
   Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2506
   There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵלֶק
   Transliteration: chêleq
   Pronunciation: khay'lek
   Description: from חָלַק; properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment; flattery, inheritance, part, [idiom] partake, portion.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5159
   There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נַחֲלָה
   Transliteration: nachălâh
   Pronunciation: nakh-al-aw'
   Description: from נָחַל (in its usual sense); properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion; heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare נַחַל.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1616
   There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֵּר
   Transliteration: gêr
   Pronunciation: gare
   Description: or (fully) geyr (gare); from גּוּר; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner, stranger.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3490
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָתוֹם
   Transliteration: yâthôwm
   Pronunciation: yaw-thome'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be lonely; a bereaved person; fatherless (child), orphan.
   
6. Strong's Number: H490
   There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַלְמָנָה
   Transliteration: ʼalmânâh
   Pronunciation: al-maw-naw'
   Description: feminine of אַלְמָן; a widow; also a desolate place; desolate house (palace), widow.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8179
   There are 302 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׁעַר
   Transliteration: shaʻar
   Pronunciation: shah'-ar
   Description: from שָׁעַר in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate; city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er).
   
8. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
9. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7646
    There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׂבַע
    Transliteration: sâbaʻ
    Pronunciation: saw-bah'
    Description: or שָׂבֵעַ; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively); have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
    
12. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
    
13. Strong's Number: H1288
    There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָרַךְ
    Transliteration: bârak
    Pronunciation: baw-rak'
    Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.
    
14. Strong's Number: H4639
    There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
    Transliteration: maʻăseh
    Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
    Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought.
    
15. Strong's Number: H3027
    There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָד
    Transliteration: yâd
    Pronunciation: yawd
    Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
    
16. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.