Deuteronomy 14:28 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 14:28 mean?

Deuteronomy 14:28 instructs the Israelites that at the end of every third year, they are to gather the full tenth (tithe) of their produce from that year and store it within their own towns. This command is about setting aside a portion of their agricultural increase on a specific schedule for a particular purpose.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The instruction is part of a larger set of laws about tithing and caring for the community, especially those who might be in need. The focus here is on a special tithe collected every third year, which was to be kept locally rather than taken to a central sanctuary.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 14:28

• "tithe" (מַעֲשֵׂר, ma‘ăśēr): This word means a tenth part. Here, it refers specifically to a tenth of the agricultural produce, emphasizing the concrete act of setting aside a portion of one’s increase.
• "increase" (תְּבוּאָה, tevu’ah): This word points to the produce or yield of the land, highlighting that the tithe is based on what the land actually produces in that year.
• "gates" (שַׁעַר, sha‘ar): This term means the entrances to a town or city, but it often refers to the whole community. The instruction to store the tithe "within your gates" means the resources are to remain local, available to those in the immediate area.

Why Deuteronomy 14:28 matters

• Deuteronomy 14:28 clarifies that not every tithe was taken to the central sanctuary; some were meant to be kept and used locally, which helped support the community’s vulnerable members.
• The verse shows a practical system for community care, ensuring that resources were regularly set aside and accessible within each town.
• This instruction connects to a broader biblical concern for justice and provision for those in need, such as Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, which is explained in the following verse.