Deuteronomy 26:12-19

12 "Every third year give the tithe - a tenth of your crops - to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, so that in every community they will have all they need to eat. When you have done this, ¹

13 say to the Lord, "None of the sacred tithe is left in my house; I have given it to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, as you commanded me to do. I have not disobeyed or forgotten any of your commands concerning the tithe.

14 I have not eaten any of it when I was mourning; I have not taken any of it out of my house when I was ritually unclean; and I have not given any of it as an offering for the dead. I have obeyed you, O Lord; I have done everything you commanded concerning the tithe.

15 Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people Israel; bless also the rich and fertile land that you have given us, as you promised our ancestors.'

16 "Today the Lord your God commands you to obey all his laws; so obey them faithfully with all your heart.

17 Today you have acknowledged the Lord as your God; you have promised to obey him, to keep all his laws, and to do all that he commands.

18 Today the Lord has accepted you as his own people, as he promised you; and he commands you to obey all his laws. ²

19 He will make you greater than any other nation that he has created, and you will bring praise and honor to his name. You will be his own people, as he promised."

Deuteronomy 26:12-19 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. 26.12Deuteronomy 14.28, 29.
• 2. 26.18Exodus 19.5;Deuteronomy 4.20; 7.6; 14.2;Titus 2.14; 1 P 2.9.

Footnotes

• [a]. for the dead; [or] to the dead.
• [b]. bring praise . . . name; [or] receive praise and honor.