Leviticus 19:9

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

And when ye reap {H7114} the harvest {H7105} of your land {H776}, thou shalt not wholly reap {H3615} the corners {H6285} of thy field {H7704}, neither shalt thou gather {H3950} the gleanings {H3951} of thy harvest {H7105}.

"'When you harvest the ripe crops produced in your land, don't harvest all the way to corners of your field, and don't gather the ears of grain left by the harvesters.

When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest.

Commentary

Leviticus 19:9 (KJV) is a foundational verse within the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), outlining God's command for ethical and compassionate agricultural practices in ancient Israel. It instructs landowners to intentionally leave portions of their harvest for the less fortunate, demonstrating practical holiness and social responsibility.

Context

This verse is part of a broader section in Leviticus that calls Israel to be a holy people, set apart for God, not just through ritual purity but also through righteous living and ethical treatment of others. The commands here are not merely agricultural regulations but are deeply spiritual, reflecting God's own character of generosity and care for the vulnerable. Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, and the harvest was central to survival. These laws ensured that even the poorest members of societyโ€”the stranger, the fatherless, and the widowโ€”would have a means of sustenance, preventing absolute destitution. This principle is reiterated and expanded upon in Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 24:19-22, highlighting its importance in the Mosaic Law.

Key Themes

  • Compassion for the Poor: The primary intent of this law was to provide for the needy. By leaving the corners of the field and the gleanings, landowners actively participated in God's provision for those who could not fully provide for themselves.
  • Social Justice: This command established a system of welfare that was built into the very fabric of society, ensuring that the community looked after its most vulnerable members. It was a divine mandate for justice and equity.
  • Generosity and Stewardship: Landowners were reminded that their land and its produce ultimately belonged to God. Their act of leaving portions was an act of obedience and generosity, recognizing God's ownership and their role as stewards of His blessings.
  • Holiness in Action: For Israel, holiness was not confined to the Tabernacle or religious rituals. It extended to daily life, including farming practices, demonstrating that true holiness is expressed through ethical behavior and care for one's neighbor.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "corners" is pe'ah (ืคึตึผืึธื”), which literally means "edge" or "side." It refers to the uncut perimeter of the field. The word for "gleanings" is leket (ืœึถืงึถื˜), referring to the stalks or ears of grain that fall during the harvesting process or are left behind. These terms specifically outline what was to be left for the poor. The most famous biblical example of this practice is found in the Book of Ruth, where Ruth, a Moabite widow, gleans in the fields of Boaz, a kinsman of her late husband.

Practical Application

While modern societies may not have agricultural fields in the same way, the principles of Leviticus 19:9 remain profoundly relevant. This verse calls believers today to:

  • Practice Intentional Generosity: Look for opportunities to share resources with those in need, not just from abundance but as a deliberate act of compassion.
  • Support Social Welfare: Advocate for and contribute to systems and organizations that provide for the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable in society.
  • Recognize Divine Ownership: Understand that all possessions are ultimately God's, and we are stewards called to manage them in a way that honors Him and benefits others.
  • Live Out Faith Ethically: Recognize that our faith is not just about personal piety but also about how we treat our neighbors and contribute to the well-being of our community, reflecting God's love for all people (Matthew 25:35-40).
This ancient law serves as a timeless reminder that true prosperity includes ensuring the well-being of all members of society, especially the most vulnerable.

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

  • Leviticus 23:22

    And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 24:22

    And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

  • Ruth 2:2

    And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after [him] in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

  • Ruth 2:15

    And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:

  • Leviticus 23:10

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

  • Leviticus 23:29

    For whatsoever soul [it be] that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
โ† Back