King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 14:26 Mean?

Deuteronomy 14:26 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for stro... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, desireth: Heb. asketh of thee

Deuteronomy 14:26 · KJV


Context

24

And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

25

Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

26

And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, desireth: Heb. asketh of thee

27

And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

28

At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after (תְּאַוֶּה נַפְשְׁךָ, te'aveh nafshekha, 'your soul desires')—Astonishingly, God permits buying oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth. This isn't license for gluttony but demonstration that worship includes joy, celebration, and material blessing.

Legalists have seized on strong drink (שֵׁכָר, shekar, fermented beverage) to prove teetotalism, ignoring Scripture's consistent distinction: drunkenness is sinful (Ephesians 5:18), but drinking is permissible (Psalm 104:15, John 2:1-11). Thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice—covenant life combines holiness with happiness, obedience with abundance. Jesus embodied this balance: serious about sin, celebratory about grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern festivals were somber sacrificial rituals appeasing angry deities. Israel's festivals, by contrast, were joyful family celebrations of God's goodness—Passover remembering liberation, Pentecost celebrating harvest, Tabernacles rejoicing in provision. This 'eat and rejoice' command distinguished YHWH worship from pagan fear.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's permission to spend tithe-money on 'whatever your soul desires' correct grimly ascetic views of Christianity?
  2. In what ways do you 'rejoice before the LORD' with the material blessings He's provided?
  3. How do you balance celebrating God's gifts (food, drink, possessions) without falling into gluttony or materialism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְנָֽתַתָּ֣ה1 of 22

And thou shalt bestow

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הַכֶּ֡סֶף2 of 22

that money

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

בְּכֹל֩3 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר4 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תְּאַוֶּ֨ה5 of 22

lusteth after

H183

to wish for

נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ6 of 22

for whatsoever thy soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בַּבָּקָ֣ר7 of 22

for oxen

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וּבַצֹּ֗אן8 of 22

or for sheep

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבַיַּ֙יִן֙9 of 22

or for wine

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וּבַשֵּׁכָ֔ר10 of 22

or for strong drink

H7941

an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor

וּבְכֹ֛ל11 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תִּֽשְׁאָלְךָ֖13 of 22

desireth

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ14 of 22

for whatsoever thy soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְאָכַ֣לְתָּ15 of 22

and thou shalt eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

שָּׁ֗ם16 of 22
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לִפְנֵי֙17 of 22

there before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֣ה18 of 22

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ19 of 22

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְשָֽׂמַחְתָּ֖20 of 22

and thou shalt rejoice

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

אַתָּ֥ה21 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃22 of 22

thou and thine household

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 14:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 14:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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