Deuteronomy 14:22

ΒΆ Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Thou shalt truly {H6237} tithe {H6237} all the increase {H8393} of thy seed {H2233}, that the field {H7704} bringeth forth {H3318} year {H8141} by year {H8141}.

"Every year you must take one tenth of everything your seed produces in the field,

You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce brought forth each year from your fields.

Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:22 introduces a fundamental command within the Mosaic Law concerning the practice of tithing. This verse specifically instructs the Israelites to set aside a tenth of all the produce from their fields annually. It underscores God's ownership of the land and His provision, while also establishing a system for supporting the Levites and facilitating communal worship and care for the needy.

Context

This command is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy (chapters 12-26) that outlines the laws and statutes given to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. After the Ten Commandments and general principles, Moses elaborates on practical aspects of their covenant relationship with God. In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, the "increase of thy seed" – the harvest from their fields – was their primary source of wealth and sustenance. Tithing was not merely a religious ritual but an integral part of their economic and social structure, reinforcing their dependence on God's blessings for their livelihood. This specific tithe, often referred to as the "second tithe," was primarily for the purpose of a communal feast before the Lord in Jerusalem and, every third year, for the support of the Levites, sojourners, orphans, and widows (as seen in later verses like Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Covenant: The command to tithe was a direct instruction from God, a tangible act of obedience demonstrating their faithfulness to the covenant established at Mount Sinai.
  • Divine Provision and Ownership: Tithing served as a constant reminder that God was the ultimate source of their prosperity and that the land and its produce truly belonged to Him. The "increase" was a gift from Him.
  • Stewardship: By returning a portion to God, the Israelites acknowledged their role as stewards, not absolute owners, of the blessings they received.
  • Systematic Giving: The phrase "year by year" emphasizes the consistent, regular nature of this contribution, establishing a discipline of annual giving.

Linguistic Insights

The key word here is "tithe," translated from the Hebrew word ma'aser (ΧžΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©Χ‚Φ΅Χ¨), which literally means "a tenth." This term is found throughout the Old Testament to denote the giving of one-tenth of one's produce or income to God. The phrase "increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth" clearly specifies the agricultural nature of this tithe, referring to the yield from crops.

Related Scriptures

  • The concept of tithing is first mentioned in the Bible with Abraham giving a tenth to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20).
  • The Mosaic Law codified this practice, as seen in Leviticus 27:30, which states, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord."
  • Later, the prophet Malachi challenged Israel to "bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse," promising blessings for their obedience.

Practical Application

While the specific agricultural context of Deuteronomy 14:22 pertains to ancient Israel under the Old Covenant, the underlying principles of tithing and giving remain highly relevant for believers today. This verse encourages us to:

  1. Acknowledge God as Provider: Recognize that all our resources, talents, and opportunities come from God.
  2. Practice Generous Stewardship: Be faithful managers of what God has entrusted to us, setting aside a portion to honor Him and support His work.
  3. Trust in God's Faithfulness: Just as the Israelites trusted God to provide their annual increase, we are called to trust in His promise to meet our needs as we obey Him (Philippians 4:19).
  4. Support Ministry and Community: Our giving helps to sustain the church, missions, and ministries that spread the Gospel and care for those in need, reflecting God's heart for His people.
The command to "truly tithe" emphasizes intentionality and faithfulness in our financial devotion to the Lord.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 10:37

    And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

  • Deuteronomy 26:12

    ΒΆ When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, [which is] the year of tithing, and hast given [it] unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

  • Deuteronomy 26:15

    Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

  • Deuteronomy 12:17

    Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

  • Deuteronomy 12:6

    And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

  • Numbers 18:21

    And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Leviticus 27:30

    And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD'S: [it is] holy unto the LORD.
← Back