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 15:10KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 15:10 mean?
Deuteronomy 15:10 instructs the Israelites to give generously to those in need without feeling resentment or regret, promising that God will bless their work and efforts because of this kindness. The verse emphasizes that giving should come from a willing heart, not out of obligation or reluctance.
In this passage, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The immediate context is the law about releasing debts every seven years and caring for the poor among them. Deuteronomy 15:10 stresses that generosity should be wholehearted, and that God’s blessing is tied to the attitude behind the giving, not just the act itself.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 15:10
- "Surely" and "give" (נָתַן, natan): This word appears three times in the verse, highlighting the certainty and intentionality of the command to give. The repetition underlines that giving is not optional or half-hearted.
- "Heart" (לֵבָב, levav): This word points to the inner attitude or motivation. The instruction is not just about the action but about the giver’s feelings and intentions.
- "Grieved" (יָרַע, yara‘): This word means to be troubled or feel bad. The verse warns against giving with regret or resentment, showing that the emotional state of the giver matters.
- "Bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to bestow favor or prosperity. The promise is that God will respond to genuine generosity with blessing in all areas of work and effort.
Why Deuteronomy 15:10 matters
- Deuteronomy 15:10 clarifies that generosity is not just a duty but should be done willingly, correcting the idea that outward action alone is enough.
- The verse connects God’s blessing directly to the attitude behind giving, not just the act, which highlights the importance of motives in the law.
- This instruction fits into a larger section about social justice and care for the poor, showing that Israel’s community life was to be marked by compassion and trust in God’s provision.