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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:22-29

We have here a part of the statute concerning tithes. The productions of the ground were twice tithed, so that, putting both together, a fifth part was devoted to God out of their increase, and only four parts of five were for their own common use; and they could not but own they paid an easy rent, especially since God's part was disposed of to their own benefit and advantage. The first tithe was for the maintenance of their Levites, who taught them the good knowledge of God, and ministered to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:29

And the Levite, because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee ,.... Shall come and take the first tithe, according to Jarchi; but though this he was to do, yet is not what is intended here, but he was to partake of the second tithe, or what was in the room of it, the poor's tithe, with whom he is here joined: and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come ; and take the second tithe, as the above writer rightly interprets it, and which he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 14:29

And the Levite (because he hath no part nor inheritance - And hence much of his support depended on the mere freewill-offerings of the people. God chose to make his ministers thus dependent on the people, that they might be induced (among other motives) to labor for their spiritual profiting, that the people, thus blessed under their ministry, might feel it their duty and privilege to support and render them comfortable. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:22-29

A tithing of each year's produce of the cultivated ground was to be made; and this tithe was to be brought to the place which the Lord should choose, as also the firstling of the herds and flocks; and there a sacrificial meal was to be partaken of, that Israel might learn to fear Jehovah their God always, reverencing him as their Ruler, and rejoicing in him as the Giver of all good. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:22-29

A threefold cord; or, the triple use of property. These details which so frequently occur respecting the use of property, specially of that which is possessed or gained in the form of produce, may seem burdensome. Probably, to us, they would be so, but it is nevertheless a topic of perpetual interest for our day, to see how tenderly and lovingly the Great Father trained his people, by such minute regulations as were needful for them, to the practice and perception of principles which were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:22-29

The second tithe. We adopt the usual view, that the lawgiver is here regulating the disposal of what, in later times, was called "the second tithe." The hypothesis that the book was written at a late date, when the gift of tithes to the Levites, prescribed in Numbers 18:1-32 ; had fallen into disuse, is unsupported by evidence. The provision in Deuteronomy would have furnished no support worth speaking of to the enormous Levitical establishments of the post-Davidic period (1 Chronicles... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:22-29

Systematic provision for fellowship with God. From the arrangements about ordinary diet, we pass now to the minute directions about "eating before God." A tithe of the corn, the wine, and the oil, together with the firstlings of their flocks and herds, must be devoted to the purposes of fellowship. It is clear from this, then, that God designed a systematic storing of the tenth part of the Jewish income for the purposes of religion. If the Jew resided far from the tabernacle, then he was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:22-29

God's claim upon our money gains. In every province of human life God requires his proprietorship to be recognized. The seventh part of our time is hallowed for his service. The firstfruits of corn were to be devoted to religious uses. The firstborn in the household belonged to God, and was to be redeemed by substitution. And now, of all their yearly gains, one-tenth was claimed by God. I. THE GROUND OF GOD 'S CLAIM . His claim proceeds from his proprietorship. Towards the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Every third year the whole tithe of the year's produce was to be set apart, not to be brought to the sanctuary to be eaten before the Lord, but as a portion in their towns for the Levite, the stranger, the widow, and the fatherless. The end of three years ; i . e . as the third year expired, consequently, in the last year of the triennium ( Deuteronomy 26:12 ); just as "the end of seven years" means each seventh year ( Deuteronomy 15:1 ; Deuteronomy 31:10 ; Jeremiah 34:14 ).... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Compare the marginal references. The tithe thus directed in the third year to be dispensed in charity at home, was not paid in addition to that in other years bestowed on the sacred meals, but was substituted for it. The three years would count from the sabbatical year (see the next chapter), in which year there would of course be neither payment of tithe nor celebration of the feasts at the sanctuary. In the third year and sixth year of the septennial cycle the feasts would be superseded by... read more

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