Deuteronomy 26:9-19

9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey;

10 and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, LORD, have given me.” Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him.

11 Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.

12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.

13 Then say to the LORD your God: “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.

14 I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything you commanded me.

15 Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Follow the LORD’s Commands

16 The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.

17 You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him.

18 And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.

19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised.

Deuteronomy 26:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 26

This chapter treats of the basket of firstfruits to be brought and presented to the Lord, and the confession to be made along with it, De 26:1-11; and of the declaration to be made on the third year, the year of tithing, and the prayer annexed to it, De 26:12-15; and of the covenant made in a solemn manner between God and the people of Israel, De 26:16-19.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 3:8
• 2. S Deuteronomy 8:18
• 3. Deuteronomy 12:12; Deuteronomy 12:7
• 4. S Deuteronomy 16:11
• 5. S Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30
• 6. S Numbers 18:24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Hebrews 7:5,9
• 7. Ps 119:141,153,176
• 8. Leviticus 7:20; Hosea 9:4
• 9. Psalms 68:5; Psalms 80:14; Psalms 102:19; Isaiah 63:15; Zechariah 2:13
• 10. S Exodus 39:43
• 11. Deuteronomy 4:29
• 12. Exodus 19:8; Psalms 48:14
• 13. Exodus 6:7; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 28:9
• 14. Isaiah 62:7; Zephaniah 3:20
• 15. Deuteronomy 4:7-8; Deuteronomy 28:1,13,44; 1 Chronicles 14:2; Psalms 148:14; Isaiah 40:11
• 16. Exodus 19:6; S Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Peter 2:9