Leviticus 19:10 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:10 mean?

Leviticus 19:10 commands vineyard owners not to pick every last grape or go back over their vines to collect what was missed; instead, they are to leave some for the poor and for foreigners living among them. This law is presented as a direct instruction from God, emphasizing care for vulnerable people in the community.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving them practical rules for how to harvest their crops. The focus is on generosity and justice, making sure that those who have little or no land—like the poor (those without resources) and the stranger (foreigners or outsiders)—can find food and dignity. This instruction is part of a larger section where God outlines how Israel should live as a holy people.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:10

• glean (עָלַל, ‘ālal): This word means to go over a field or vineyard a second time to pick up what was missed. The command not to glean shows that people were expected to leave behind some of the harvest on purpose.
• poor (עָנִי, ‘ānî): This word refers to those who are needy or oppressed. The verse singles out the poor as a group to be protected and provided for.
• stranger (גֵּר, gēr): This term means a foreigner or someone living in the land who is not an Israelite. Including the gēr highlights that God’s concern extends beyond just the native-born community.

Why Leviticus 19:10 matters

• Leviticus 19:10 clarifies that God’s laws were not only about ritual or worship, but also about everyday fairness and compassion in economic life.
• The verse reveals that God’s care for the vulnerable is woven into the fabric of Israel’s society, not just left to private charity.
• By connecting this instruction to God’s own authority (“I am the LORD your God”), the verse shows that social justice is not just a suggestion, but a command rooted in God’s character.