King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 26:12 Mean?

Deuteronomy 26:12 in the King James Version says “When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;”

Deuteronomy 26:12 · KJV

Context

10

And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:

11

And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.

12

When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

13

Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:

14

I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

Read Deuteronomy 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing—referring to the special third-year tithe described in Deuteronomy 14:28-29. Besides the regular Levitical tithe (Numbers 18:21-24) and festival tithe (Deuteronomy 14:22-27), every third year required an additional tithe stored locally. And hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled—this welfare tithe ensured the vulnerable had sufficient food.

Israel's tithing system was progressive: regular tithes supported Levitical ministry and national worship; third-year tithes addressed local poverty. The repetition of beneficiaries throughout Deuteronomy (Levite, stranger, orphan, widow) emphasizes God's concern for economically vulnerable classes. The phrase be filled (Hebrew saveu, שָׂבֵעוּ) means satisfied, having eaten enough—not mere survival but sufficiency. God's economic vision provided dignity and abundance for all, not subsistence charity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 1406 BC as preparation for agrarian society in Canaan. The third-year tithe presumed stable agricultural surplus and community structures for distribution. Ancient Israel lacked centralized social services; the tithe system created localized welfare administered through towns and clans. Archaeological evidence suggests towns had storage facilities for grain, supporting the feasibility of this system. The practice required trust that God's blessing on giving exceeded hoarding for security.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the third-year tithe demonstrate that biblical generosity aims for sufficiency ('filled'), not bare survival?
  2. What would systematic, structural provision for the vulnerable look like in modern church or society?
  3. How does tithing reflect trust in God's provision versus human self-sufficiency and security?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כִּ֣י1 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תְכַלֶּ֞ה2 of 19

“When thou hast made an end”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

לַ֠עְשֵׂר3 of 19

“of tithing”

H6237

to tithe, i.e., to take or give a tenth

אֶת4 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל5 of 19
H3605

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

הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֑ר6 of 19

“all the tithes”

H4643

a tenth; especially a tithe

תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֛7 of 19

“of thine increase”

H8393

income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)

שְׁנַ֣ת8 of 19

“which is the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֖ת9 of 19

“the third”

H7992

third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)

שְׁנַ֣ת10 of 19

“which is the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֑ר11 of 19

“all the tithes”

H4643

a tenth; especially a tithe

וְנָֽתַתָּ֣ה12 of 19

“and hast given”

H5414

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

לַלֵּוִ֗י13 of 19

“it unto the Levite”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

לַגֵּר֙14 of 19

“the stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

לַיָּת֣וֹם15 of 19

“the fatherless”

H3490

a bereaved person

וְלָֽאַלְמָנָ֔ה16 of 19

“and the widow”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

וְאָֽכְל֥וּ17 of 19

“that they may eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

בִשְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ18 of 19

“within thy gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וְשָׂבֵֽעוּ׃19 of 19

“and be filled”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

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 26:12 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 26:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 18:24Leviticus 27:30Philippians 4:18-19Hebrews 7:5Proverbs 14:21Deuteronomy 14:22-29

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