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.

LEVITICUS 19:9KJV
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Leviticus 19:9 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:9 mean?

Leviticus 19:9 instructs landowners in ancient Israel not to harvest their fields completely or pick up every leftover piece; instead, they are to leave the edges and any missed produce for others. This law is about intentionally leaving part of the harvest uncollected so that those in need, such as the poor and strangers, can gather food.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving them practical laws for everyday life in the land they will possess. The focus is on farming, which was central to their society, and the command sets up a way for the community to care for its vulnerable members by sharing resources through their normal work.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:9

  • "reap" (קָצַר, qatsar): This word means to cut down or harvest grain. The instruction is not just about gathering but about the main act of harvesting, which was a significant event in the agricultural year.
  • "corners" (פֵּאָה, pe'ah): This word refers specifically to the edges or corners of a field. The law singles out these areas, which might otherwise be overlooked or considered less valuable, as places to be left unharvested for others.
  • "gleanings" (לֶקֶט, leqet): This word means the bits of grain or produce that fall or are left behind during the main harvest. The instruction not to gather these emphasizes a deliberate choice to leave something for those who come after.

Why Leviticus 19:9 matters

  • Leviticus 19:9 clarifies that generosity in ancient Israel was built into everyday work, not just special acts of charity; it was a normal part of farming life.
  • This verse shows that the law paid attention to the practical needs of the poor and outsiders, making sure they had a way to gather food with dignity.
  • The command connects to the wider chapter, which is about living a holy life that reflects God’s character, showing that holiness includes how people treat each other in daily routines.

Where else these words appear

“gleanings” Hebrew H3951 · used in 2 verses

  • Leviticus 23:22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

“gather” Hebrew H3950 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 31:46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
  • Leviticus 19:10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.
  • Ruth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

“reap” Hebrew H7114 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
  • 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.