Leviticus 19:24

KJV

But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD [withal].

KJV (with Strong's)

But in the fourth {H7243} year {H8141} all the fruit {H6529} thereof shall be holy {H6944} to praise {H1974} the LORD {H3068} withal.

Complete Jewish Bible

In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, for praising ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

In the fourth year all its fruit must be consecrated as a praise offering to the LORD.

American Standard Version

But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy, for giving praise unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 19:24, a pivotal instruction within the "Holiness Code," mandates that the fruit of a newly planted tree in its fourth year be consecrated as "holy to praise the LORD." This divine directive established a profound principle for the Israelites: acknowledging God's ultimate ownership of the land and its produce, cultivating patience and unwavering trust in His provision, and fostering a spirit of joyful gratitude through communal worship and the dedication of their first and best to Him. It masterfully transformed an agricultural practice into an act of profound spiritual devotion and corporate celebration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 19:24 is intricately woven into a series of agricultural laws detailed in [Leviticus 19:23-25](/leviticus/19-23-25 "Leviticus 19:23-25 - Laws for Fruit Trees"). This broader chapter, often referred to as the "Holiness Code," meticulously outlines various ethical, social, and ritual laws designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation, reflecting the very character of God. Specifically, verses 23-25 delineate the regulations for fruit trees: for the first three years, the fruit was deemed "uncircumcised" (עָרְלָה, _‘orlâh_) and strictly forbidden for consumption. Verse 24 then commands that the entire yield of the fourth year be set apart as holy for the LORD's praise, while verse 25 permits the eating of the fruit from the fifth year onward, ensuring a full and blessed yield for the people. This deliberate progression emphasizes delayed gratification, a profound prioritization of God in their agricultural endeavors, and the seamless integration of daily sustenance with their sacred worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** These laws were imparted to the Israelites as they stood on the precipice of entering the Promised Land, poised to transition from a nomadic existence in the wilderness to an agrarian society in Canaan. The land itself was not merely territory but was viewed as a divine gift and an eternal inheritance from God, underscoring His ultimate ownership and sovereignty over it. The practice of dedicating the fourth year's fruit was far more than a simple economic regulation; it was a profound theological statement. It meticulously taught the Israelites patience, fostered deep trust in God's long-term provision, and instilled the critical importance of acknowledging Him as the singular source of all blessings. This waiting period also served a practical purpose, allowing young fruit trees to establish stronger root systems and produce more robust, higher-quality fruit in subsequent years, demonstrating a remarkable blend of divine wisdom and practical agricultural insight embedded within the command. The "praise" associated with the fruit almost certainly involved bringing it to the central sanctuary for communal feasts and offerings, thereby fostering a vibrant sense of shared joy, gratitude, and corporate worship.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 19:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/19 "Leviticus 19 - The Holiness Code"). Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness**, encapsulated in the repeated divine injunction, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" ([Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy")). The consecration of the fruit transforms ordinary produce into a sacred offering, mirroring God's own set-apart nature. Another crucial theme is **Divine Ownership and Sovereignty**, asserting that all land and its produce ultimately belong to God, and humanity acts as His stewards. This is echoed in passages like [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"). The law also cultivates **Patience and Trust in God's Provision**, requiring a three-year delay before consumption and a dedication in the fourth, teaching the Israelites to rely on God's timing and abundance rather than immediate gratification. Finally, it highlights the theme of **Joyful Worship and Gratitude**, transforming an agricultural yield into an occasion for communal celebration and praise, linking daily sustenance directly to their spiritual devotion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fruit (Hebrew, _pᵉrîy'_):** From the root פָּרָה (_pârâh_), meaning "to be fruitful," this term refers to the produce of trees or plants, both literally and figuratively. In this context, it signifies the tangible bounty of the land, emphasizing God's provision and the physical blessings bestowed upon Israel. The command transforms this ordinary agricultural yield into a sacred object of dedication.
* **Holy (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** Derived from the verb קָדַשׁ (_qâdash_), meaning "to be set apart," _qôdesh_ denotes something sacred, consecrated, or dedicated exclusively for God's purposes. When applied to the fruit, it signifies its transformation from common produce into something distinct and reserved for divine use, reflecting God's own inherent holiness and His claim over all creation.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _hillûwl'_):** From the root הָלַל (_hâlal_), which conveys the sense of rejoicing, celebrating, or boasting, _hillûwl_ specifically refers to a celebration of thanksgiving, often associated with harvest festivities. The fruit was not merely set aside, but it was to be used in a manner that brought honor and glory to God, implying a joyful, public acknowledgment of His goodness and abundant provision, fostering a spirit of worship and communal celebration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But in the fourth year":** This phrase marks a divinely appointed temporal shift, contrasting sharply with the preceding three years during which the fruit was forbidden. It underscores the principle of God's perfect timing and the necessity of patient waiting before partaking of His blessings. This specific timing transforms a natural cycle into a sacred rhythm.
* **"all the fruit thereof":** This emphasizes the totality of the dedication. It was not a mere tithe or a portion, but the *entire* harvest from the fourth year that was to be consecrated. This comprehensive dedication highlights God's holistic claim over their lives and livelihoods, demanding a complete and unreserved offering.
* **"shall be holy":** This declarative statement establishes the sacred status of the fruit. It means the fruit was to be irrevocably set apart, distinct from ordinary produce, and designated for a sacred purpose. This consecration reflects God's own holiness and the people's commitment to honor Him by treating His gifts with reverence and distinction.
* **"to praise the LORD [withal]":** This culminating clause reveals the ultimate purpose behind the fruit's holiness: it was to be used as an occasion for joyful celebration and worship of Yahweh. This transcended a mere ritualistic act; it was an expression of profound gratitude, adoration, and communal rejoicing, transforming an agricultural yield into a vibrant act of worship and a testament to God's goodness.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 19:24 primarily functions as a **Legal Prescription**, a direct divine command characteristic of the Mosaic Law, meticulously outlining specific behavior required of the Israelites. This prescriptive nature underscores the absolute and binding authority of God's word, leaving no ambiguity regarding the expected conduct. There is also potent **Symbolism** embedded within the command: the fruit itself symbolizes God's gracious provision and the abundant bounty of the land, while the act of dedicating the fourth year's harvest symbolizes the Israelites' profound gratitude, unwavering trust, and explicit acknowledgment of God's ultimate ownership. The waiting period and subsequent dedication also present a subtle yet significant **Contrast** between the "uncircumcised" (forbidden) fruit of the first three years and the "holy" (dedicated) fruit of the fourth year, emphasizing a theological progression from common to consecrated, and from patient waiting to joyous celebration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 19:24 profoundly articulates God's absolute sovereignty and inherent ownership over all creation, particularly the land and its produce, which He graciously entrusted to Israel as stewards. The command to dedicate the fourth year's fruit as "holy to praise the LORD" instilled a deep sense of stewardship, meticulously teaching the Israelites that their sustenance was an unmerited gift, not an inherent entitlement. This principle extends far beyond mere agriculture, encompassing the broader, timeless concept of "firstfruits"—the practice of offering the initial and finest of one's blessings back to God as an profound act of gratitude, unwavering trust, and heartfelt worship. It cultivated a spirit of patience, requiring them to wait three years before any personal gain, and then to prioritize God's portion, demonstrating a profound faith in His continued provision and a joyful disposition in their worship.

* [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor the Lord with Your Wealth")
* [Deuteronomy 26:1-11](/deuteronomy/26-1-11 "Deuteronomy 26:1-11 - Offering Firstfruits to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific agricultural laws of ancient Israel are part of the Old Covenant and not directly binding on believers today, the timeless spiritual principles embedded within Leviticus 19:24 remain profoundly relevant and transformative for our contemporary spiritual lives. This verse calls us to recognize God's ultimate and sovereign ownership over every facet of our existence—our time, our unique talents, our material resources, and our cherished relationships. It challenges us to cultivate a "firstfruits" mentality, compelling us to prioritize God in all things by consistently giving Him our absolute best, rather than merely offering what is left over or convenient. This is an act of profound faith and trust, demonstrating our unwavering belief that He is our ultimate provider and that true abundance, both spiritual and material, flows directly from honoring Him. Furthermore, the command to dedicate the fruit for "praise" serves as a powerful reminder that our acts of giving, service, and even our daily endeavors should always be motivated by a spirit of joyful worship and heartfelt gratitude, thereby transforming even the most mundane activities into profound opportunities to glorify God. It also profoundly encourages patience, teaching us to wait on God's perfect timing and trust His sovereign process, knowing with certainty that He orchestrates all things for our ultimate good and His supreme glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to more fully acknowledge God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty?**
* **Am I consistently giving God my "first and best" in my time, resources, and talents, or am I offering Him what is merely left over or convenient?**
* **How can I intentionally cultivate a more patient and trusting heart, resting in God's timing rather than seeking immediate gratification?**
* **How can my daily activities, vocational pursuits, and material offerings become more intentional and joyful acts of praise and worship to the LORD?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Israelites have to wait three years before eating any fruit, and then dedicate the fourth year's harvest?**

Answer: The three-year waiting period for newly planted fruit trees, as outlined in [Leviticus 19:23](/leviticus/19-23 "Leviticus 19:23 - Forbidden Fruit for Three Years"), served both practical and profound theological purposes. Practically, it allowed the young trees to establish deep, robust root systems, mature properly, and produce healthier, more abundant fruit in subsequent years. Theologically, it meticulously taught the Israelites patience, delayed gratification, and unwavering trust in God's long-term provision. It also powerfully underscored the idea that the land and its produce were not immediately theirs to exploit but belonged ultimately to God. The dedication of the fourth year's fruit, as commanded in [Leviticus 19:24](/leviticus/19-24 "Leviticus 19:24 - Fruit for Praise"), then served as a "firstfruits" offering, a tangible act of acknowledging God's supreme ownership and gracious provision *before* the people could personally benefit from the harvest. It was a profound act of worship and heartfelt gratitude, transforming an agricultural yield into a sacred offering of praise to the LORD.

**How was the fruit of the fourth year used "to praise the LORD"?**

Answer: While the exact ritual details are not exhaustively described in [Leviticus 19:24](/leviticus/19-24 "Leviticus 19:24 - Fruit for Praise"), the phrase "holy to praise the LORD" (Hebrew: _hillûwl_) strongly implies a joyful, communal, and celebratory use. It is widely understood that this consecrated fruit would have been brought to the central sanctuary in Jerusalem and consumed in festive communal feasts or offerings before the LORD. These occasions were not solemn sacrifices but vibrant, joyous gatherings characterized by shared meals, singing, dancing, and heartfelt rejoicing, where the people publicly acknowledged God's boundless goodness and celebrated His abundant provision. This act fostered a profound sense of community, deep gratitude, and direct worship, making the harvest an integral and celebrated part of their spiritual life and national identity.

**Is this law about fruit trees still applicable to believers today?**

Answer: While the specific agricultural law of [Leviticus 19:24](/leviticus/19-24 "Leviticus 19:24 - Fruit for Praise") is part of the Old Covenant ceremonial and civil laws and is not literally binding on Christians today, the profound spiritual principles it embodies remain eternally relevant and universally applicable. These include God's ultimate ownership of all things, the critical importance of offering our "first and best" to Him (the enduring principle of firstfruits), cultivating patience and unwavering trust in His divine provision, and living a life consistently characterized by joyful gratitude and worship. Believers are called to be faithful stewards of all that God has graciously entrusted to them, recognizing that their lives, their talents, and their resources are to be used for His glory and praise, as a spiritual act of worship and dedication, as powerfully articulated in [Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1-2 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifice").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 19:24, with its profound command to dedicate the fourth year's fruit as "holy to praise the LORD," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the "true vine" ([John 15:1-5](/john/15-1-5 "John 15:1-5 - Jesus, the True Vine")), the source from whom all authentic spiritual fruitfulness flows. Just as the fruit of the fourth year was meticulously set apart as holy, so too is Christ the perfectly holy and blameless offering, consecrated to God from eternity. He stands as the ultimate "firstfruits" of the new creation, particularly in His triumphant resurrection from the dead, as vividly described in [1 Corinthians 15:20-23](/1_corinthians/15-20-23 "1 Corinthians 15:20-23 - Christ, the Firstfruits of Resurrection"). Through His singular, sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus has definitively made us holy and eternally acceptable to God, thereby fulfilling the very purpose of holiness that the Old Testament law so powerfully foreshadowed ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering") and [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). Our lives, radically transformed by His redemptive grace, become the spiritual "fruit" of His redemptive work, offered back to God as a living, spiritual sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, as profoundly encouraged in [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifice of Praise"). The joyful celebration envisioned in Leviticus 19:24 is fully and eternally realized in the worship of Christ, who is the Lamb of God, supremely worthy of all praise, honor, and glory for taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Proverbs 3:9

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Deuteronomy 18:4

The firstfruit [also] of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

Deuteronomy 14:28

At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay [it] up within thy gates:

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.

Numbers 18:12

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.

Numbers 18:13

[And] whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat [of] it.

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: