Deuteronomy 26:13
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Then you shall declare in the presence of the LORD your God, “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all the commandments You have given me. I have not transgressed or forgotten Your commandments.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
With this chapter Moses concludes the particular statutes which he thought fit to give Israel in charge at his parting with them; what follows is by way of sanction and ratification. In this chapter, I. Moses gives them a form of confession to be made by him that offered the basket of his first-fruits (Deu 26:1-11). II. The protestation and prayer to be made after the disposal of the third year's tithe (Deu 26:12-15). III. He binds on all the precepts he had given them, 1. By the divine authority: "Not I, but the Lord thy God has commanded thee to do these statutes" (Deu 26:16). 2. By the mutual covenant between God and them (Deu 26:17, etc.).
Open source ↗26:13 I have taken (literally burned) the sacred gift: This phrase means that the donor had given his own property to the Levites and to others in need.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.
Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your law.
I am lowly and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts.
The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying.
I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.
My zeal has consumed me because my foes forget Your words.
When you have finished laying aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you are to give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat and be filled within your gates.