Deuteronomy 24:17-21

17 Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.
18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.
21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.

Deuteronomy 24:17-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 24

This chapter contains various laws concerning divorces, De 24:1-4; the discharge of a newly married man from war and business, De 24:5; about taking pledges, De 24:6,10-13; man stealing, De 24:7; the plague of leprosy, De 24:8,9; and giving servants their hire in due time, De 24:14,15; concerning doing justice in capital cases, and towards the stranger, fatherless, and widow, De 24:16-18; and of charity to the poor, in allowing them the forgotten sheaf, and the gleanings of their oliveyards and vineyards, De 24:19-22.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Exodus 22:22; Job 6:27; Job 24:9; Job 29:12; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 82:3; Proverbs 23:10; Ezekiel 22:7
  • 2. S Exodus 22:21; S Exodus 23:2; S Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Deuteronomy 16:19
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 15:15
  • 4. S Leviticus 19:9; Leviticus 23:22
  • 5. Deuteronomy 10:19; Deuteronomy 27:19; Ezekiel 47:22; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5
  • 6. ver 20; Deuteronomy 14:29
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 14:29; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 28:27; Ecclesiastes 11:1
  • 8. Leviticus 19:10
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