King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 26:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 26:13 in the King James Version says “Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have gi...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 26:13 · KJV

Context

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.

15

Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Read Deuteronomy 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God—after distributing the third-year tithe, the worshiper made formal declaration in God's presence, probably at the sanctuary. I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house—the Hebrew bi'arti ha-qodesh (בִּעַרְתִּי הַקֹּדֶשׁ) means 'I have removed the holy portion,' referring to the consecrated tithe. And also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments—affirming complete obedience to tithing requirements.

I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them—the declaration included negative assertions: no violation, no neglect. This confession of obedience paralleled ancient Near Eastern treaty loyalty oaths. The worshiper testified that tithes were given properly, completely, and to the designated recipients. The public declaration created accountability, preventing deceit about charitable giving and ensuring the vulnerable actually received their due.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Delivered circa 1406 BC for implementation in Canaan's worship system. The sanctuary location for this declaration (probably at one of the annual feasts) meant the confession occurred in community context, not private devotion. Public attestation of obedience functioned as both worship and accountability. The practice presumed that failure to tithe properly was serious covenant violation, requiring affirmative declaration of compliance as part of right standing before God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God require public declaration of obedience rather than relying on private conscience?
  2. How does calling tithes 'hallowed things' elevate charitable giving to sacred worship?
  3. What accountability structures help Christians ensure financial commitments to ministry and the poor are actually fulfilled?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֡1 of 23

“Then thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִפְנֵי֩2 of 23

“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

יְהוָ֨ה3 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ4 of 23

“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

בִּעַ֧רְתִּי5 of 23

“I have brought away”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

הַקֹּ֣דֶשׁ6 of 23

“the hallowed things”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

מִן7 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַבַּ֗יִת8 of 23

“out of mine house”

H1004

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

וְגַ֨ם9 of 23
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

נְתַתִּ֤יו10 of 23

“and also have given”

H5414

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

לַלֵּוִי֙11 of 23

“them unto the Levite”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וְלַגֵּר֙12 of 23

“and unto the stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

לַיָּת֣וֹם13 of 23

“to the fatherless”

H3490

a bereaved person

וְלָֽאַלְמָנָ֔ה14 of 23

“and to the widow”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

כְּכָל15 of 23
H3605

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

מִמִּצְוֹתֶ֖יךָ16 of 23

“according to all thy commandments”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 23
H834

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

צִוִּיתָ֑נִי18 of 23

“which thou hast commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לֹֽא19 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָבַ֥רְתִּי20 of 23

“me I have not transgressed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

מִמִּצְוֹתֶ֖יךָ21 of 23

“according to all thy commandments”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

וְלֹ֥א22 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃23 of 23

“neither have I forgotten”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

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 26:13 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 26:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:141Psalms 119:153Psalms 119:176Deuteronomy 14:29Proverbs 3:11 John 3:17-22

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