Question 1

What does Deuteronomy 14:22 mean?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 14:22 instructs the Israelites to carefully set aside a tenth of all the produce that their fields yield each year. This command is about faithfully giving a portion of their yearly harvest as a tithe. In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to live in the land God is giving them. The focus is on the regular, yearly practice of tithing from the increase of their crops, not just a one-time gift. This sets up a pattern of gratitude and recognition that their harvest comes from God.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 14:22

Accepted Answer

"Truly" and "tithe" (עָשַׂר, ʿāsar): Both words come from the same Hebrew root, which means "to give a tenth." The repetition in Hebrew adds emphasis, stressing that this is to be done faithfully and completely, not half-heartedly. "Increase" (תְּבוּאָה, tevu'ah): This word refers to the produce or yield, highlighting that the tithe is to be taken from what the land actually produces, not just what was planted. "Seed" (זֶרַע, zeraʿ): This term points specifically to agricultural produce, making it clear that the command is about crops, not other forms of wealth. "Field" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh): This word grounds the instruction in the context of farming, reminding the Israelites that the tithe comes from the land they work. "Year" (שָׁנָה, shanah): The word is repeated, underlining that this is an annual practice, not a one-time event.

Question 3

Why Deuteronomy 14:22 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies that tithing was not a vague or occasional act, but a specific, yearly requirement tied to the agricultural cycle. The emphasis on "truly" tithing shows that God values both the act and the attitude behind it—careful, honest giving rather than minimal or reluctant offerings. By tying the tithe to the "increase" of the land, the verse connects worship and gratitude directly to the everyday work and blessings of life, not just religious rituals.

Deuteronomy 14:22 (KJV)