King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When you beat your olive tree, you are not to go back over the branches again; the olives that are left will be for the foreigner, the orphan and the widow.
Berean Standard Bible:
When you beat the olives from your trees, you must not go over the branches again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow.
American Standard Version:
When thou beatest thine olive-tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the sojourner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
When thou beatest{H2251} thine olive tree{H2132}, thou shalt not go over the boughs{H6286} again{H310}: it shall be for the stranger{H1616}, for the fatherless{H3490}, and for the widow{H490}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 19:10
- And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather [every] grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I [am] the LORD your God.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 24:20
Deuteronomy 24:20 is part of the legal code given by Moses to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This verse reflects the broader themes of justice and compassion for the vulnerable within Israelite society. The command not to beat the olive tree twice, but to leave what remains for the "stranger, the fatherless, and the widow," underscores the importance of providing for those who are marginalized and without the usual social and economic supports.
In the historical context, olive oil was a staple commodity in ancient Israel, used for cooking, lighting lamps, and anointing. The process of beating the olive tree to shake loose the fruit was a common method of harvesting. By instructing the Israelites to leave the remaining olives for the poor and marginalized—namely, the "stranger" (resident alien), the fatherless (orphans), and widows—the verse emphasizes the necessity of communal responsibility and the ethical treatment of society's most vulnerable members.
The command embodies the principle of gleaning, which is found throughout the Pentateuch. Gleaning allowed the poor to collect leftover crops from the fields after the main harvest was completed. This practice was a form of social welfare, ensuring that everyone, regardless of status, had access to basic provisions. Deuteronomy 24:20 thus reflects a key aspect of Israelite law: the integration of economic productivity with social justice, mandating a balance between personal gain and communal care.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2251
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָבַט
Transliteration: châbaṭ
Pronunciation: khaw-bat'
Description: a primitive root; to knock out or off; beat (off, out), thresh. - Strong's Number: H2132
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זַיִת
Transliteration: zayith
Pronunciation: zay'-yith
Description: probably from an unused root (akin to זִו); an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry; olive (tree, -yard), Olivet. - Strong's Number: H6286
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּאַר
Transliteration: pâʼar
Pronunciation: paw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also denominative from פְּאֹרָה,; to gleam, i.e. (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast; also to explain (i.e. make clear) oneself; to shake a tree; beautify, boast self, go over the boughs, glorify (self), glory, vaunt self. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - 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. - 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. - 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.