King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 26:3 Mean?

Deuteronomy 26:3 in the King James Version says “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 Go...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 26:3 · 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.

5

And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

Read Deuteronomy 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—the Hebrew higgadti ("I profess/declare") makes the offering an act of public testimony. This isn't silent ritual but verbal confession acknowledging God's covenant faithfulness. The declaration connects present blessing to ancestral promise, rooting individual experience in corporate salvation history.

The phrase which the LORD sware unto our fathers invokes the patriarchal covenants with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:7, 26:3, 28:13). Each Israelite farmer confesses that land possession fulfills ancient oath, not recent achievement. The formula asher nishba YHWH la'avoteinu ("which YHWH swore to our fathers") appears over 20 times in Deuteronomy, underscoring that Israel's present derives from God's past promises.

Addressing the priest that shall be in those days acknowledges mediatorial priesthood. The worshiper doesn't approach God directly but through Levitical ministry—a typological pattern fulfilled in Christ's superior high priesthood (Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:23-28). The ceremony trains Israel to recognize covenant blessings rather than assume entitlement.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This confession would be recited at the central sanctuary during the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost), seven weeks after Passover, celebrating the wheat harvest. The timing links agricultural blessing to exodus deliverance—the same connection Acts 2 makes when the Spirit is poured out at Pentecost, creating the new covenant harvest. The priest receiving the confession represented the entire Levitical order, which had no land inheritance but depended on offerings from the other tribes (Deuteronomy 18:1-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you regularly confess God's covenant faithfulness in your life, or do you silently take blessings for granted?
  2. How does remembering God's promises to previous generations strengthen your own faith during trials?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בָ֙אתִי֙1 of 23

“And thou shalt go”

H935

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

אֶל2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן3 of 23

“unto the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 23
H834

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

יִֽהְיֶ֖ה5 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַיּוֹם֙6 of 23

“that shall be in those days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָהֵ֑ם7 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֣8 of 23

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו9 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הִגַּ֤דְתִּי10 of 23

“unto him I profess”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

הַיּוֹם֙11 of 23

“that shall be in those days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יְהוָ֛ה12 of 23

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ13 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

כִּי14 of 23
H3588

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

בָ֙אתִי֙15 of 23

“And thou shalt go”

H935

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

אֶל16 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֔רֶץ17 of 23

“unto the country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר18 of 23
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֧ע19 of 23

“sware”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

יְהוָ֛ה20 of 23

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

לַֽאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ21 of 23

“unto our fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לָ֥תֶת22 of 23

“for to give”

H5414

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

לָֽנוּ׃23 of 23
H0

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 26:3 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 26:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 1:72-73Deuteronomy 19:171 Peter 2:5Hebrews 6:16-18Hebrews 10:21Genesis 26:3

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