Deuteronomy 26:3

KJV

And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt go {H935} unto the priest {H3548} that shall be in those days {H3117}, and say {H559} unto him, I profess {H5046} this day {H3117} unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, that I am come {H935} unto the country {H776} which the LORD {H3068} sware {H7650} unto our fathers {H1} for to give {H5414} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will approach the cohen holding office at the time and say to him, 'Today I declare to ADONAI your God that I have come to the land ADONAI swore to our ancestors that he would give us.'

Berean Standard Bible

to the priest who is serving at that time, and say to him, “I declare today to the LORD your God that I have entered the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.”

American Standard Version

And thou shalt come unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto Jehovah thy God, that I am come unto the land which Jehovah sware unto our fathers to give us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 26:3 introduces the solemn declaration required from an Israelite presenting the firstfruits of their harvest in the Promised Land. This verse encapsulates a profound act of worship, compelling the worshipper to stand before the priest and publicly acknowledge God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient covenant promise to bring their ancestors into the land of inheritance. It is a powerful testament to divine provision and a foundational expression of gratitude, anchoring the present blessing in the historical redemptive acts of Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 26:3 is embedded within a broader liturgical instruction (Deuteronomy 26:1-11) concerning the offering of firstfruits and the tithe. This chapter serves as a capstone to the legal sections of Deuteronomy (chapters 12-25), transitioning from specific laws to the ceremonial acts that would define Israel's worship in the land. The preceding chapters have meticulously detailed the covenant stipulations, blessings, and curses, preparing the people for life in Canaan. This specific declaration, found in verses 5-10, is a mini-credo, a historical recitation of God's saving acts, emphasizing that the act of giving firstfruits is not merely an agricultural practice but a profound theological statement. It precedes the instructions for the tithe (Deuteronomy 26:12-15) and culminates in a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and Israel (Deuteronomy 26:16-19).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy is presented as Moses' farewell address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. After forty years of wilderness wandering, this generation stands on the threshold of fulfilling the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The instructions in Deuteronomy 26:3 are forward-looking, designed to establish practices for when they are settled in the land, cultivating its produce. The concept of "firstfruits" was common in the ancient Near East, often associated with pagan deities to ensure fertility. However, in Israel, it was radically reoriented to acknowledge Yahweh as the sole provider and owner of the land and its bounty. This public declaration before the priest served to differentiate Israelite worship from pagan practices, rooting their prosperity not in magical rites but in the faithful covenant-keeping character of God, who brought them out of slavery in Egypt and into a land flowing with milk and honey, as promised in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - The Promise of the Land").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, as the worshipper explicitly states that they have come "unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us," directly referencing God's unwavering commitment to His promises to the patriarchs, particularly the land covenant detailed in [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham"). It also highlights **Gratitude and Remembrance**, emphasizing that all blessings are divine gifts, prompting a posture of thankfulness rather than entitlement. The act of bringing firstfruits and making this declaration serves as a perpetual reminder of Israel's humble beginnings as "a wandering Aramean" (Deuteronomy 26:5) and God's sovereign deliverance. Finally, the **Centrality of Worship and the Priesthood** is evident, as the entire ritual is mediated through the priest, underscoring the ordered and holy nature of Israelite worship and the importance of proper channels for approaching God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Profess (Hebrew, _nagad'_):** The Hebrew verb נָגַד (_nagad_) means "to declare," "to tell," "to make known," or "to announce." It carries the connotation of a solemn, public, and deliberate declaration. In this context, it is not a casual statement but a formal, liturgical affirmation of faith, gratitude, and remembrance. The worshipper is not merely stating a fact but performing a confessional act before God and His representative, acknowledging God's active role in their history and present blessing. This verb often implies bringing something to light or revealing it clearly.
* **Sware (Hebrew, _shaba'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁבַע (_shaba'_) means "to swear," "to take an oath," or "to make a solemn promise." It signifies a binding commitment, often involving an appeal to a higher power (in this case, God Himself) to guarantee the fulfillment of the promise. The use of this word here underscores the immutable and trustworthy nature of God's covenant with the patriarchs. It highlights that Israel's possession of the land is not accidental or earned by merit, but the direct, guaranteed outcome of God's divine oath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days":** This opening clause establishes the required action and the designated mediator for the firstfruits offering. The act of going to the priest emphasizes the structured, communal, and sacred nature of Israelite worship. The priest, as God's appointed representative, validates the offering and facilitates the worshipper's approach to God, ensuring adherence to the covenant stipulations. This highlights the importance of proper order and reverence in approaching the Holy God.
* **"and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God":** The worshipper's verbal declaration is central to the ritual. The phrase "I profess this day" underscores the immediate, personal, and public nature of the confession. It is a present-tense affirmation, connecting the historical acts of God directly to the individual's current experience of blessing. The declaration is made "unto the LORD thy God," signifying that while spoken to the priest, its ultimate recipient and focus is Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This personal address ("thy God") reinforces the intimate relationship between God and His people.
* **"that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us":** This concluding clause articulates the core content of the declaration: the fulfillment of God's ancient promise. The worshipper acknowledges their physical presence in the Promised Land as a direct result of God's sworn oath to their ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). This statement links the present prosperity and possession of the land to God's historical faithfulness and covenant commitment, transforming a simple agricultural offering into a profound theological confession of divine sovereignty and grace. It grounds their current reality in the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 26:3, though seemingly straightforward, employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Confession** or **Declaration**, as the verse outlines a specific liturgical utterance designed to articulate a theological truth. This act of public speaking transforms a private act of giving into a communal acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. There is also a strong element of **Anamnesis** (remembrance or recollection), as the declaration explicitly recalls God's past oath to "our fathers," linking the present blessing to historical divine action. This serves to embed the individual's experience within the larger redemptive narrative of Israel. The phrase "the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us" functions as a **Metonymy** for the entire covenant relationship, where the land represents the fulfillment of God's comprehensive promises of blessing, presence, and inheritance. Finally, the structured interaction between the worshipper and the priest, culminating in this verbal acknowledgment, embodies **Ritual Language**, where specific words and actions are prescribed to convey deep spiritual meaning and reinforce communal identity and theological understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 26:3 serves as a profound theological statement, anchoring the Israelites' present prosperity in God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. It teaches that all blessings, particularly the gift of the land and its bounty, are not earned but are gracious fulfillments of divine promises. This act of bringing firstfruits and making a public declaration transforms a simple agricultural practice into a profound act of worship, gratitude, and remembrance, compelling the worshipper to acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all provision. It underscores the importance of a grateful heart and a conscious recognition of God's historical and ongoing work in the lives of His people, fostering a posture of humility and dependence rather than self-sufficiency.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abram")
* [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God Fulfills His Promises")
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalms/105-8 "Psalm 105:8-11 - God's Everlasting Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 26:3 offers timeless principles for contemporary believers, calling us to cultivate a profound awareness of God's faithfulness in our own lives. Just as the Israelites were to remember God's journey with them from slavery to the Promised Land, we are invited to reflect on how God has led us, provided for us, and fulfilled His promises, both explicitly in Scripture and experientially in our personal journeys. This verse challenges us to move beyond a transactional view of faith to one rooted in deep gratitude and acknowledgment of God as the ultimate source of every good and perfect gift. It encourages a lifestyle where our blessings, whether material or spiritual, are seen not as entitlements but as gracious provisions from a loving Father, prompting us to offer our "firstfruits"—our best, our thanks, our lives—back to Him in worship. This public declaration of gratitude, even if not in a formal liturgical setting, encourages us to be vocal about God's goodness, testifying to His character and His work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises in your life, whether through provision, guidance, or protection?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness inform your trust in Him for future challenges or needs?**
* **What "firstfruits" (time, talent, treasure, or even a grateful heart) can you intentionally offer back to God as an acknowledgment of His ultimate provision?**
* **How can you cultivate a more consistent practice of gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's blessings in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the worshipper making this declaration "this day"?**
Answer: The phrase "this day" (הַיּוֹם, _hayyom_) emphasizes the present, immediate, and personal nature of the declaration. While the promise of the land was ancient, its fulfillment was a living reality for the generation entering Canaan. "This day" grounds the historical truth in the worshipper's current experience, making the act of gratitude fresh and relevant. It signifies a conscious, deliberate choice to acknowledge God's faithfulness in the here and now, preventing the ritual from becoming a mere rote exercise. It connects the individual's blessing directly to God's ongoing work in their life, just as the covenant was continually renewed "this day" throughout Deuteronomy, as seen in [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - God Made a Covenant with Us Today").

**Why was it necessary to make this declaration to the priest, rather than directly to God?**
Answer: The requirement to make the declaration to the priest (Deuteronomy 26:3) highlights the structured and mediated nature of Israelite worship under the Mosaic covenant. The priest served as God's appointed representative, ensuring the proper conduct of sacred rituals and the adherence to divine law. While the declaration's ultimate recipient was God ("unto the LORD thy God"), the priest's presence provided a formal, public, and authoritative context for the confession. This emphasized the seriousness of the act, its communal significance, and the necessity of approaching a holy God through His established channels. It also served an instructional purpose, reinforcing the theological truths for the community.

**How does this verse connect to the broader theme of God's covenant with Abraham?**
Answer: Deuteronomy 26:3 explicitly connects to God's covenant with Abraham by stating the worshipper has come "unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us." This directly references the land promise made to Abraham in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abram") and reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob. The firstfruits ceremony, therefore, was not merely an agricultural thanksgiving but a powerful liturgical reenactment and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient, unconditional covenant promises across generations. It demonstrated that God's word is reliable and His plan of redemption, initiated with Abraham, was steadily unfolding, culminating in the physical inheritance of the land. This echoes the broader theme in the Old Testament that God keeps His promises, as seen in [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "Joshua 21:45 - Not One Word Failed").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 26:3, with its emphasis on acknowledging God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Israelites' entry into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, was a temporal and typological inheritance. Christ, however, is the true and eternal "country" or inheritance for believers, bringing us into a spiritual reality far surpassing the physical land. He is the ultimate "firstfruits" (as described in [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), the first to rise from the dead, guaranteeing the resurrection of all who are in Him. Our declaration today is not merely about a physical land but about the spiritual reality of being "in Christ," having been brought out of the bondage of sin and into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Just as the Israelite declared God's faithfulness in bringing them into the land, we declare God's faithfulness in bringing us into His kingdom through the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our "firstfruits" offering is now our very lives, presented as a living sacrifice ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")), in grateful response to God's ultimate promise fulfilled in Christ, who has secured for us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). He is the "yes" and "amen" to all of God's promises ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), and our confession of Him is the ultimate "professing" of God's faithfulness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 19:17

Then both the men, between whom the controversy [is], shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

Genesis 26:3

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

Luke 1:72

To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

Luke 1:73

The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

Genesis 17:8

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Hebrews 6:16

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife.