Leviticus 19:10

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather [every] grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I [am] the LORD your God.

And thou shalt not glean {H5953} thy vineyard {H3754}, neither shalt thou gather {H3950} every grape {H6528} of thy vineyard {H3754}; thou shalt leave {H5800} them for the poor {H6041} and stranger {H1616}: I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}.

Likewise, don't gather the grapes left on the vine or fallen on the ground after harvest; leave them for the poor and the foreigner; I am ADONAI your God.

You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am Jehovah your God.

Commentary

Leviticus 19:10 is part of the extensive "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), which outlines God's expectations for how His people, Israel, were to live a life set apart for Him. This particular verse focuses on agricultural practices, specifically concerning vineyards, and demonstrates God's heart for the vulnerable members of society.

Context

This command immediately follows a similar instruction regarding grain fields in Leviticus 19:9. Together, they form a clear directive for landowners in ancient Israel. The practice of "gleaning" refers to gathering the leftover produce after the main harvest. Instead of harvesting every single grape or returning to pick up fallen ones, landowners were commanded to deliberately leave some for those in need. This was not merely a suggestion but a divine ordinance, underscoring that the land's bounty was ultimately from God and intended to be shared.

Key Themes

  • Compassion and Social Justice: At its heart, this verse reveals God's profound concern for the poor and the stranger. It mandates a system of social welfare built directly into the agricultural economy, ensuring that even the most vulnerable had access to food.
  • God's Provision: By commanding landowners to leave produce, God teaches Israel that He is the ultimate provider. It also emphasizes that their abundance was not solely for their own consumption but for the benefit of the community, especially the needy.
  • Holiness in Action: The Holiness Code is about living a life that reflects God's character. This verse demonstrates that true holiness is not just about ritual purity but also about ethical behavior, generosity, and justice towards others. Living a holy life meant actively caring for the marginalized, as seen in Deuteronomy 15:7-8.
  • Hospitality to Strangers: The inclusion of the "stranger" (ger) highlights Israel's unique calling to welcome and provide for non-Israelites who lived among them, remembering their own history as sojourners in Egypt.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Glean" (לָקַט - laqat): This Hebrew word signifies the act of gathering what is left behind, either intentionally or unintentionally, after the primary harvest. It implies a secondary, less efficient collection.
  • "Poor" (עָנִי - ani): Refers to the afflicted, the humble, or the needy. These were individuals or families who lacked sufficient resources, often due to circumstances beyond their control.
  • "Stranger" (גֵּר - ger): This term denotes a sojourner, a resident alien, or a non-Israelite who lived within the community. Unlike a traveler passing through, the ger had settled but typically lacked land, family support, or tribal affiliation, making them particularly vulnerable.

Practical Application

While modern societies do not typically practice agricultural gleaning in the same way, the principles behind Leviticus 19:10 remain highly relevant. This verse calls believers today to:

  • Practice Generosity: To be open-handed with our resources, time, and talents, recognizing that all we have is from God.
  • Care for the Vulnerable: To actively seek out and support the poor, the marginalized, and those who are new or without a strong support system in our communities. This could involve supporting food banks, homeless shelters, refugee aid, or other charitable organizations.
  • Live with Social Responsibility: To understand that our prosperity carries a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of society, ensuring that the basic needs of all are met.
  • Reflect God's Character: By showing compassion and justice, we demonstrate the love and holiness of God to a watching world, just as the story of Ruth gleaning in Boaz's field beautifully illustrates this law in action.

Ultimately, "I am the LORD your God" serves as the divine authority and motivation for these commands, reminding us that obedience to God's law is an act of worship and a reflection of His righteous character.

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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

  • Isaiah 17:6 (3 votes)

    ¶ Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two [or] three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four [or] five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

  • Leviticus 25:6 (3 votes)

    And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee,

  • Isaiah 24:13 (3 votes)

    ¶ When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, [there shall be] as the shaking of an olive tree, [and] as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.

  • Obadiah 1:5 (2 votes)

    If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave [some] grapes?

  • Jeremiah 49:9 (2 votes)

    If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave [some] gleaning grapes? if thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.

  • Judges 8:2 (2 votes)

    And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? [Is] not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

  • Micah 7:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: [there is] no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.