Deuteronomy 23:22-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:21-23

A vow to the Lord, once made, was to be religiously kept; the Lord would require it, and to refuse or neglect to pay it would be held a sin. No one, however, was under any obligation to vow—that was to be a purely voluntary act. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform … according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God of free-will ( נְדָבָה , spontaneously). (For the law concerning vows in general, see Leviticus 27:1-34 , and Numbers 30:1-16 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Vows to God to be performed. The vow here made is supposed to be entirely voluntary. It was "a free-will offering." In Numbers 30:3-8 , abuse is guarded against. Yews made without the knowledge or consent of the father or husband were to be of no force. No priest had any warrant from the Mosaic institutes to come between a young woman and her father, or between husband and wife. Vows to God were to he completely spontaneous, as between the soul and God. They were not to he extorted by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:21-23

The place of vows. It is not obligatory to make vows; it is obligatory to fulfill them. We are often free to contract an obligation; we are not free to violate it. A man is not bound to marry; having married, he is bound to cherish his wife. I. VOWS IMPLY SPECIAL ACTS OF KINDNESS ON THE PART OF GOD . The ordinary course of God's bounty baffles verbal description. The forethought, the active energy, the well-laid plans, the unslumbering attention, the changeless... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:24-25

In the vineyard or cornfield of a neighbor they might eat to appease hunger, but no store of grapes or of grain might be carried away. At thine own pleasure ; literally, according to thy soul , i . e . desire or appetite (cf. Deuteronomy 14:26 ). Pluck the ears with thine hand (cf. Matthew 12:1 ; Luke 6:1 ). Among the Arabs of the present day the right of a hungry person to pluck ears of corn in a field and eat the grains is still recognized (Robinson, 'Bib. Res.,' 2:192;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:24-25

Kindliness to neighbors a duty of the holders of property. This is a very instructive precept. "In vine-growing countries grapes are amazingly cheap; and we need not wonder, therefore, that all within the reach of a passenger's arm were free. The quantity plucked was a loss never felt by the proprietor, and it was a kindly privilege afforded to the poor and wayfaring man" (Jameson). "Thou mayest take for necessity, not for superfluity" (Trapp). HOMILIES BY J. ORR read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:24-25

The vineyard and corn-field. This law may be regarded: 1. As another check on covetousness. It restricted the operation of covetousness in the owner, and taught him to be generous and charitable. 2. As part of the Jewish provision for the poor (cf. Deuteronomy 24:19 , Deuteronomy 24:20 ). 3. As a lesson in honesty. It taught those who used the privilege to restrain themselves to their immediate wants, and to respect on principle the rest of their neighbor's property. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:24-25

Possession of earthly things only partial The mode and condition of human life in this world serve a moral purpose. A material body requires material food; material food implies material possessions. The use of these affords fine scope for the development of many virtues. Without material possessions, selfishness would scarcely be possible; nor could some moral qualities, as generosity, find a field for exercise. I. EARTHLY ESTATE ADMITS ONLY OF A PARTIAL POSSESSION . We... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Deuteronomy 23:21 ; Deuteronomy 23:23. Not slack Not delay; because delays might make them both unable to pay it, and unwilling too. A free-will-offering Which, though thou didst freely make, yet, being made, thou art no longer free, but obliged to perform it. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 23:24

Deuteronomy 23:24. At thy pleasure Which was allowed in those parts, because of the great plenty and fruitfulness of vines there. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:1-25

A holy nation (23:1-25)Various laws prohibited foreigners, eunuchs and people born through immorality from joining fully in Israel’s public worship. This discouraged Israelites from copying heathen practices or marrying heathen people. At the same time it impressed upon them the holiness God required (23:1-8). Holiness also demanded high standards of cleanliness in the camp, particularly in matters concerning discharges from sexual organs and treatment of human excrement (9-14).Other features... read more

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