Deuteronomy 14:26

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

And thou shalt bestow {H5414} that money {H3701} for whatsoever thy soul {H5315} lusteth after {H183}, for oxen {H1241}, or for sheep {H6629}, or for wine {H3196}, or for strong drink {H7941}, or for whatsoever thy soul {H5315} desireth {H7592}: and thou shalt eat {H398} there before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and thou shalt rejoice {H8055}, thou, and thine household {H1004},

and exchange the money for anything you want - cattle, sheep, wine, other intoxicating liquor, or anything you please - and you are to eat there in the presence of ADONAI your God, and enjoy yourselves, you and your household.

Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household.

and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:26 is part of a section detailing the laws concerning the second tithe, often referred to as the "festival tithe." This verse provides remarkable insight into God's desire for His people to experience joy and abundance in their worship and celebrations.

Context

This verse follows instructions regarding the annual tithe from produce and livestock (Deuteronomy 14:22-23). If the distance to the central place of worship (later Jerusalem) was too great to carry the physical tithe, the Israelites were permitted to sell it for money. Verse 26 then instructs them on how to use that money upon arrival. It paints a picture of a joyful, communal feast before the Lord, emphasizing that the tithe was not merely a burden but a means of celebrating God's provision and the bounty of the land during annual festivals.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Generosity: God not only commands tithing but also provides a way for His people to enjoy the fruits of their labor and His blessings. It highlights God's desire for His people to thrive and rejoice in His abundance.
  • Joy and Celebration in Worship: The passage explicitly calls for rejoicing ("and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household"). Worship is not solely solemn duty but also a vibrant, joyful celebration of God's goodness and faithfulness. This resonates with the broader biblical theme that "the joy of the LORD is your strength".
  • Freedom and Personal Choice: The phrase "whatsoever thy soul lusteth after" or "desireth" grants significant liberty in purchasing items for the feast. This demonstrates God's trust in His people and His delight in their legitimate enjoyment of good things.
  • Communal and Family Worship: The instruction to eat "before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household" underscores the importance of corporate worship and family participation in religious festivals.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "lusteth after" or "desireth" ('avah - ืึธื•ึธื”) in this context carries the sense of a strong, legitimate longing or craving, not a sinful or illicit desire. It emphasizes that God permits, and even encourages, the enjoyment of pleasant things. The term "strong drink" (Hebrew: shekar - ืฉึตืื›ึธืจ) refers to any intoxicating beverage, not just wine, indicating the broad scope of permissible enjoyment during these festive occasions.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 14:26 offers timeless principles for believers today:

  • Generosity and Trust: It reminds us that giving to God is not a loss, but often leads to greater blessing and joy. It encourages trust in God's provision, knowing that He desires our well-being.
  • Embrace Joy in Faith: Our walk with God should be marked by joy and celebration. While solemnity has its place, believers are called to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4), finding delight in His presence and His gifts.
  • Enjoy God's Good Gifts: This verse affirms that God provides "richly all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17). It encourages a balanced view of material blessings, seeing them as gifts from a benevolent Creator to be enjoyed responsibly and with gratitude.
  • Family and Community in Worship: The emphasis on the household rejoicing together highlights the value of family participation in spiritual life and the importance of communal gatherings for worship and fellowship, fostering unity and shared joy in God.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 6:12

    ยถ All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:13

    Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

  • Psalms 106:14

    But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

  • Deuteronomy 12:7

    And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

  • Matthew 21:12

    ยถ And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

  • Deuteronomy 26:11

    And thou shalt rejoice in every good [thing] which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that [is] among you.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:7

    Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
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