Deuteronomy 23:25

When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.

When thou comest {H935} into the standing corn {H7054} of thy neighbour {H7453}, then thou mayest pluck {H6998} the ears {H4425} with thine hand {H3027}; but thou shalt not move {H5130} a sickle {H2770} unto thy neighbour's {H7453} standing corn {H7054}.

When you enter your neighbor's field of growing grain, you may pluck ears with your hand; but you are not to put a sickle to your neighbor's grain.

When you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not put a sickle to your neighbor’s grain.

When thou comest into thy neighbor’s standing grain, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thy hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbor’s standing grain.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 23:25 is part of a series of social and ethical laws given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. These statutes, delivered through Moses, aimed to establish a just and compassionate society under God's covenant. This particular verse reflects the unique nature of an ancient agricultural society, where land and its produce were central to survival and economy. It is situated among regulations concerning various aspects of community life, emphasizing both individual responsibility and communal welfare.

Meaning and Key Themes

This verse provides a specific provision balancing property rights with the immediate needs of individuals. It grants permission to a person passing through a neighbor's standing grain field to pluck and eat enough ears of corn by hand to satisfy their hunger. However, it strictly prohibits bringing a sickle or any harvesting tool to take a larger quantity, which would constitute theft or commercial harvesting. Key themes include:

  • Compassion and Provision: The law demonstrates God's heart for the poor and travelers, ensuring that basic hunger could be alleviated without formal begging. It's a practical expression of mercy within the community.
  • Respect for Property: While allowing for immediate need, the law simultaneously upholds the principle of private property. Taking only what is needed by hand prevents exploitation or large-scale pilfering, clearly distinguishing between satisfying hunger and stealing a harvest.
  • Ethical Boundaries: The distinction between plucking by hand for personal consumption and using a sickle for harvesting highlights the importance of ethical boundaries. One action is permitted as an act of grace; the other is forbidden as an infringement on the owner's livelihood.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "standing corn" refers to grain still in the field, ripe for harvest. The Hebrew word for "pluck" (malal) means to rub or pluck, emphasizing the manual action of separating the kernels from the stalk for immediate eating. The prohibition against moving a "sickle" (chereb, typically meaning sword, but in this context refers to a harvesting tool) into the field clearly differentiates between a small, personal act of consumption and a systematic act of harvesting, which would be an act of theft against the neighbor's livelihood and harvest.

New Testament Connection

This law finds a notable echo in the New Testament when Jesus and His disciples plucked ears of corn (grain) on the Sabbath as they walked through a field (Mark 2:23, Luke 6:1). The Pharisees criticized them, not for taking the grain (which Deuteronomy 23:25 permitted), but for doing so on the Sabbath, which they considered "work." Jesus' defense invoked the spirit of the law over rigid interpretation, demonstrating that human need and God's compassion often supersede strict legalism.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 23:25 serves as a timeless reminder of the balance between personal rights and communal responsibility. In modern society, while we may not encounter "standing corn" in the same way, the underlying principles remain vital:

  • Compassion for the Needy: We are called to be mindful of those in immediate need and to extend grace where possible, ensuring basic human needs are met. This aligns with broader biblical principles of caring for the poor and vulnerable.
  • Ethical Consumption: The verse teaches us to distinguish between satisfying a genuine need and exploiting resources. It encourages respect for others' property and labor, fostering an ethic of integrity.
  • The Spirit of the Law: It highlights that divine law is often rooted in love and mercy, providing guidelines for a just society rather than merely rigid rules. This encourages us to seek understanding of the *why* behind commands, fostering a heart of generosity and discernment.
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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 2:23

    And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

  • Matthew 12:1

    ¶ At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

  • Matthew 12:2

    But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

  • Luke 6:1

    ¶ And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing [them] in [their] hands.

  • Luke 6:2

    And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
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