Leviticus 19:24

24 By the fourth year its fruit is holy, an offering of praise to God.

Leviticus 19:24 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 19:24

But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy,
&c.] Separated and devoted to the service of God, to be given to the priest, or to be bought again of him; wherefore the Targum of Jonathan adds, at the end of the verse, "redeemed from the priest", a redemption price being given to the priest; and, as Jarchi observes, as the tithe was not eaten without the walls of Jerusalem, but by redemption, even so likewise this: to praise the Lord [withal];
for his abundant goodness in blessing and making the trees fruitful, and bringing their fruit unto perfection; and by devoting the first fruits to God, his name was praised and glorified, as well as by eating them with joy and gladness before the Lord in Jerusalem.

Leviticus 19:24 In-Context

22 The priest will perform the ritual of atonement for him before God with the ram of compensation for the sin he has committed. Then he will stand forgiven of the sin he committed.
23 "When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, don't eat the fruit for three years; consider it inedible.
24 By the fourth year its fruit is holy, an offering of praise to God.
25 Beginning in the fifth year you can eat its fruit; you'll have richer harvests this way. I am God, your God.
26 "Don't eat meat with blood in it. "Don't practice divination or sorcery.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.