The Hebrew word pereṭ, represented by H6528, refers to a stray or single berry; grape. It appears only 1 time in the Bible, in a single verse. While rare, its specific context within Israel's legal code gives it a distinct significance, highlighting principles of charity and divine provision.
The sole use of H6528 is found in a command regarding vineyard harvests. In Leviticus 19:10, the Israelites are instructed not to gather every single grape from their vineyards after the main harvest. This specific instruction is part of a broader set of laws about gleaning, where the leftovers of a field or vineyard were to be left behind as a provision for the less fortunate, specifically "for the poor and stranger."
Several related words from its biblical context illuminate the principles surrounding H6528:
- H5953 ʻâlal (to glean): This root word means to effect thoroughly or to glean. In Leviticus 19:10 it refers to completely clearing a vineyard. The same word can also carry a negative connotation of maltreatment, such as to "abuse" or "mock" an enemy 1 Samuel 31:4.
- H3950 lâqaṭ (to gather): Defined as to pick up or gather, this word is used in Leviticus 19:10 for the act of collecting the fallen grapes. It is a general term for gathering, used for collecting stones Genesis 31:46 and even people Isaiah 27:12.
- H6041 ʻânîy (poor): This describes someone who is depressed in mind or circumstances, afflicted, or needy. The law of the stray grape was a direct provision for the poor, who were considered under God's special care Psalms 34:6.
- H1616 gêr (stranger): This term refers to a foreigner, alien, or sojourner. The law consistently groups the stranger with other vulnerable people like the widow and orphan, commanding that they be treated with justice and care Deuteronomy 24:19.
The theological weight of H6528 is centered on God's provision for the vulnerable and the nature of true holiness.
- Divine Command for Charity: The instruction not to gather the single grape is not a suggestion but a command from God, grounded in His authority: "I am the LORD your God" Leviticus 19:10. This establishes care for the poor as an act of obedience.
- Social Justice: The law institutionalizes a form of social welfare. By leaving the pereṭ, landowners acknowledged that the land's full bounty was not solely for their own enrichment but was also meant to sustain the poor (ʻânîy) and the stranger (gêr) in the community.
- Limitation on Ownership: The command implies that human ownership of land and its produce is conditional. A portion is reserved by God for the needy, reminding the Israelites that God is the ultimate owner of the land and provider for all.
In summary, H6528 is more than just a word for a single grape. Its singular appearance in scripture makes it a powerful and concrete symbol. Occurring within the legal commands of Leviticus, the pereṭ represents a principle of divinely mandated charity, where the act of not harvesting every last berry is an expression of social justice and faithful obedience to God's concern for the poor and the stranger.
TRV