King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 26:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 26:2 in the King James Version says “That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy Go...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.”

Deuteronomy 26:2 · KJV

Context

1

And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;

2

That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.

3

And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the LORD thy God, that I am come unto the country which the LORD sware unto our fathers for to give us.

4

And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.

Read Deuteronomy 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth (reshit kol-peri ha'adamah)—not merely some firstfruits but from the first, the choicest portion. The Hebrew reshit carries priority and preeminence; offering firstfruits acknowledges God's ownership and tests whether Israel trusts Him for continued provision. To consume the harvest before offering firstfruits presumes self-sufficiency and denies divine dependence.

The requirement to put it in a basket (tene) and go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there mandates pilgrimage to the central sanctuary. This centralizes worship, preventing syncretism with local Canaanite shrines. The phrase leshakken shemo sham ("to cause His name to dwell there") signifies YHWH's special presence—not that God is confined spatially, but that He meets His people at this appointed location.

The basket imagery appears again in Deuteronomy 28:5, 17 in the blessings and curses. Faithful firstfruits offering yields blessed baskets; covenant disobedience brings cursed baskets. The ceremony links agricultural prosperity directly to covenant fidelity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Firstfruits festivals were widespread in the ancient Near East, but Israel's ritual distinctively combined agricultural thanksgiving with recitation of exodus deliverance. The practice anticipated settlement in Canaan's agricultural economy, contrasting with wilderness manna which required no cultivation. The central sanctuary requirement prevented the proliferation of local shrines where Canaanite religious practices might corrupt Yahwistic worship—a concern validated by Israel's later history of syncretism at local 'high places.'

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you give God the firstfruits of your income and time, or only what remains after your priorities are met?
  2. How does bringing offerings to corporate worship (rather than private devotion alone) strengthen covenant community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֞1 of 25

“That thou shalt take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מֵֽרֵאשִׁ֣ית׀2 of 25

“of the first”

H7225

the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)

כָּל3 of 25
H3605

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

פְּרִ֣י4 of 25

“of all the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה5 of 25

“of the earth”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 25
H834

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

תָּבִ֧יא7 of 25

“which thou shalt bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֵֽאַרְצְךָ֛8 of 25

“of thy land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר9 of 25
H834

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

יְהוָ֣ה10 of 25

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ11 of 25

“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

נֹתֵ֥ן12 of 25

“giveth”

H5414

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

לָ֖ךְ13 of 25
H0
וְשַׂמְתָּ֣14 of 25

“thee and shalt put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בַטֶּ֑נֶא15 of 25

“it in a basket”

H2935

a basket (of interlaced osiers)

וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֙16 of 25

“and shalt go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל17 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמָּק֔וֹם18 of 25

“unto the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר19 of 25
H834

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

יִבְחַר֙20 of 25

“shall choose”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

יְהוָ֣ה21 of 25

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ22 of 25

“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

לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן23 of 25

“to place”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

שְׁמ֖וֹ24 of 25

“his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָֽׁם׃25 of 25
H8033

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

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 26:2 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 26:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 23:19Exodus 23:16Ezekiel 44:301 Corinthians 15:20Exodus 34:26Romans 8:23

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Deuteronomy 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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