Deuteronomy 15:10

Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

Thou shalt surely {H5414} give {H5414} him, and thine heart {H3824} shall not be grieved {H3415} when thou givest {H5414} unto him: because {H1558} that for this thing {H1697} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall bless {H1288} thee in all thy works {H4639}, and in all that thou puttest {H4916} thine hand {H3027} unto.

Rather, you must give to him; and you are not to be grudging when you give to him. If you do this, ADONAI your God will bless you in all your work, in everything you undertake -

Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand.

Thou shalt surely give him, and thy heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him; because that for this thing Jehovah thy God will bless thee in all thy work, and in all that thou puttest thy hand unto.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:10 is a powerful verse within the Mosaic Law that emphasizes the importance of generous and willing giving to the needy, promising divine blessing in return. It outlines not only the act of giving but also the crucial attitude accompanying it, fostering a spirit of compassion within the Israelite community.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy (chapters 14-15) dealing with social justice, economic practices, and the care for the less fortunate within ancient Israel. Specifically, it follows the regulations concerning the Year of Release (Shemitah), which occurred every seven years. During this year, debts were to be remitted, and Hebrew servants set free. The command to "surely give him" directly refers to the expectation that Israelites would lend and give to the poor and needy without hesitation, even as the Year of Release approached, knowing their loans would be cancelled. This law was designed to prevent perpetual poverty and ensure a measure of economic equity in the land God had given them.

Key Themes

  • Unconditional Generosity: The phrase "Thou shalt surely give him" is an emphatic command, highlighting that giving to the poor was not optional but a fundamental aspect of the covenant relationship with God. It reflects God's own character of abundance and provision.
  • The Heart of the Giver: The injunction, "thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him," underscores the importance of a cheerful and willing attitude. True generosity comes from a willing spirit, not out of compulsion or resentment. This sentiment is echoed much later in the New Testament, reminding believers that "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
  • Divine Blessing as Motivation: The promise, "because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto," reveals the divine incentive for obedience. God promises to prosper those who are open-handed and compassionate towards their fellow man. This isn't a transactional exchange but a principle of God's kingdom: generosity often unlocks greater blessings, demonstrating that "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD" (Proverbs 19:17).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "thine heart shall not be grieved" translates the Hebrew `lo' ye'atsvรฉkha levavkha` (ืœึนื ื™ึตืขึธืฆึตื‘ ืœึฐื‘ึธื‘ึฐืšึธ), meaning literally "your heart shall not be pained" or "your heart shall not be troubled." The root `atsav` (ืขึธืฆึทื‘) conveys a sense of sorrow, vexation, or distress. Thus, the command is not merely about the physical act of giving, but about the internal disposition: one should not feel regret, reluctance, or burden when extending help to the needy.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 15:10 remains highly relevant today, urging believers to cultivate a spirit of generous giving. It challenges us to examine our hearts when we give, whether to charity, church, or individuals in need. Our giving should be done with joy and willingness, trusting that God sees our actions and attitudes. This verse reminds us that true prosperity, both spiritual and often material, is linked to obedience to God's commands, particularly those concerning compassion and care for the vulnerable in society.

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

  • Proverbs 22:9

    ยถ He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

  • Hebrews 13:16

    But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

  • 1 Timothy 6:18

    That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

  • 1 Timothy 6:19

    Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

  • Deuteronomy 14:29

    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.

  • Isaiah 58:10

    And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:

  • Deuteronomy 24:19

    When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
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