Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

DEUTERONOMY 15:10KJV
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Deuteronomy 15:10 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 15:10 mean?

Deuteronomy 15:10 tells an Israelite to give to a fellow Israelite in need without inward resentment. The verse connects that openhanded response with the LORD’s promise to bless the giver’s work and undertakings.

Moses is addressing Israel about the treatment of a poor person among them. After the warning in verse 9 against withholding help, verse 10 turns to the giver’s heart as well as the act of giving. “All that thou puttest thine hand unto” pictures the range of tasks a person takes up.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 15:10

  • “surely give” — נָתַן (natan): This word means “give.” The Hebrew repeats the word, a way of giving the command added force.
  • “heart” — לֵבָב (levav): This word can refer to a person’s inner life, including thoughts and intentions. Here it points to the giver’s attitude, not merely an outward action.
  • “grieved” — רָעַע (raʿaʿ): This word can carry the sense of being displeased or troubled. In this setting, it describes an unwilling or resentful response to giving.

Why Deuteronomy 15:10 matters

  • The need for help is set within a specific situation. Verse 9 warns against refusing a poor fellow Israelite because the year for releasing debts is near.
  • The promise is expressed in terms of ordinary work. “All thy works” and “all that thou puttest thine hand unto” connect the promised blessing with what the giver undertakes.
  • The person in need is treated as a fellow member of the community. The surrounding passage calls that person a “brother” and speaks of need within Israel’s land.

Where else these words appear

“because” Hebrew H1558 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
  • Deuteronomy 1:37 Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.
  • Jeremiah 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

“puttest” Hebrew H4916 · used in 10 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
  • Deuteronomy 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
  • Esther 9:22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

“grieved” Hebrew H3415 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 21:11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.