King James Version

What Does Leviticus 23:22 Mean?

Leviticus 23:22 in the King James Version says “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reap...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.”

Leviticus 23:22 · KJV

Context

20

And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.

21

And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

22

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

23

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

24

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

Read Leviticus 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

This verse falls within the section on Appointed Feasts. God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God's sacred calendar including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, marking redemption and agricultural blessings. 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. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?
  2. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  3. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בְּקֻצְרֶ֔ךָ1 of 20

“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 20
H853

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

קְצִֽירְךָ֖3 of 20

“of thy harvest”

H7105

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

אַרְצְכֶ֗ם4 of 20

“of your land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֹֽא5 of 20
H3808

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

תְכַלֶּ֞ה6 of 20

“thou shalt not make clean riddance”

H3615

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

פְּאַ֤ת7 of 20

“of the corners”

H6285

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

שָֽׂדְךָ֙8 of 20

“of thy field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

בְּקֻצְרֶ֔ךָ9 of 20

“And when ye reap”

H7114

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

וְלֶ֥קֶט10 of 20

“any gleaning”

H3951

the gleaning

קְצִֽירְךָ֖11 of 20

“of thy harvest”

H7105

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

לֹ֣א12 of 20
H3808

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

תְלַקֵּ֑ט13 of 20

“neither shalt thou gather”

H3950

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

לֶֽעָנִ֤י14 of 20

“them unto the poor”

H6041

depressed, in mind or circumstances

וְלַגֵּר֙15 of 20

“and to the stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

תַּֽעֲזֹ֣ב16 of 20

“thou shalt leave”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֹתָ֔ם17 of 20
H853

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

אֲנִ֖י18 of 20
H589

i

יְהוָ֥ה19 of 20

“I am the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃20 of 20

“your 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

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 23:22 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 23:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 19:9-10Deuteronomy 24:19-21Proverbs 11:24-25Isaiah 58:102 Corinthians 9:5-12Ruth 2:15-23

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Leviticus 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLeviticus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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