King James Version

What Does Leviticus 19:9 Mean?

Leviticus 19:9 in the King James Version says “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gathe...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.”

Leviticus 19:9 · KJV

Context

7

And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.

8

Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

9

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

10

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

11

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Read Leviticus 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

This verse falls within the section on Various Laws of Holiness. Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18).


The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18). Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  2. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?
  3. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּֽבְקֻצְרְכֶם֙1 of 13

“And when ye reap”

H7114

to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)

אֶת2 of 13
H853

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

קְצִֽירְךָ֖3 of 13

“of thy harvest”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

אַרְצְכֶ֔ם4 of 13

“of your land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֹ֧א5 of 13
H3808

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

תְכַלֶּ֛ה6 of 13

“thou shalt not wholly reap”

H3615

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

פְּאַ֥ת7 of 13

“the corners”

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

שָֽׂדְךָ֖8 of 13

“of thy field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

לִקְצֹ֑ר9 of 13
H7614

sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an ethiopian district

וְלֶ֥קֶט10 of 13

“the gleanings”

H3951

the gleaning

קְצִֽירְךָ֖11 of 13

“of thy harvest”

H7105

severed, a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage)

לֹ֥א12 of 13
H3808

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

תְלַקֵּֽט׃13 of 13

“neither shalt thou gather”

H3950

properly, to pick up, i.e., (generally) to gather; specifically, to glean

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Leviticus 19:9 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 Leviticus 19:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 23:22Deuteronomy 24:19-22Ruth 2:2Ruth 2:15Leviticus 23:10Leviticus 23:29

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