When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.

DEUTERONOMY 24:19KJV
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Deuteronomy 24:19 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 24:19 mean?

Deuteronomy 24:19 instructs farmers in ancient Israel that if they forget a bundle of harvested grain in their field, they should not go back to retrieve it; instead, they are to leave it for foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that God will bless their work. This law is about making sure the vulnerable in society have enough to eat by letting them gather what is left behind during harvest.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan, giving them practical laws for daily life. The verse is part of a larger section where Moses explains how the people should treat each other fairly, especially those who might be overlooked or disadvantaged. The instruction is clear and concrete, focusing on generosity and justice in everyday farming practices.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 24:19

  • "Stranger" (גֵּר, ger) refers to someone who is not an Israelite, often a foreigner living among the people. The verse highlights care for outsiders, not just fellow Israelites.
  • "Fatherless" (יָתוֹם, yatom) and "widow" (אַלְמָנָה, almanah) both point to those without family support, showing the law’s focus on those most at risk of poverty.
  • "Bless" (בָּרַךְ, barakh) means to bestow favor or well-being. The promise of blessing connects generosity toward others with God’s ongoing care for the giver.

Why Deuteronomy 24:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s laws included practical ways to support the needy, not just religious rituals or sacrifices.
  • Deuteronomy 24:19 shows that generosity was not optional but built into daily work, making compassion a normal part of life.
  • The verse connects personal actions with God’s blessing, teaching that caring for others is directly tied to God’s favor in the community.

Where else these words appear

“sheaf” Hebrew H6016 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
  • Exodus 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
  • Leviticus 23:12 And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

“fatherless” Hebrew H3490 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 22:22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
  • Job 22:9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
  • Proverbs 23:10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

“down” Hebrew H7114 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
  • Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
  • Isaiah 17:5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

“harvest” Hebrew H7105 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
  • 1 Samuel 8:12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
  • Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.