Study notes

Deuteronomy 26

Introducing DeuteronomyWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

19:1–26:19 Section

The Mount Sinai covenant included many rules about community life among the Israelites. There were rules about crimes, being married, families, business and war. Many of these rules were like the rules that the people groups around the Israelites followed. They showed the practices that were common in that time.

God also gave his people other rules that were different from practices that were common. These rules showed how God’s people were to be holy and set apart for him.

The Israelites had to take care of one another. They weren’t to take advantage of anyone. Instead, they had to always do what was right and fair. This showed that they remembered how God had rescued them from being slaves. It showed that they trusted him to provide everything they needed.

These rules made it clear that each person was responsible to God. They were responsible for what they thought, said and did. And all together as a community they were responsible to God. This allowed them to enjoy all the good things God gave them. Being God’s people made the Israelites a special treasure for God among all people groups.

26:1–15

Under the covenant, God required his people to give him tribute every year, or even more often.

Because Israel was an agricultural society, God asked for offerings of animals, crops, or grain.

This tribute celebrated the great redemption of the Israelites during the exodus.

26:5

Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, was an Aramean (Genesis 24:10; 25:20, 26). Jacob also lived in Aram for many years (Genesis 31:41–42). His family lived a seminomadic life, moving from place to place.
few in number: Jacob’s family was small. Only 70 people went with him to Egypt (see Genesis 46:27; Exodus 1:5).

26:11

In Israelite society, foreigners (literally sojourners) were resident aliens. A resident alien is a person who lives in a land that is not his or her native country. See also study note on 10:18.

26:12

Every third year, the people collected the tithe (a tenth of their crops and produce). This tithe was given to the Levites and others who depended on the community for support.

These included people such as foreigners, orphans, and widows. See also study note on 14:28.

26:13

I have removed (literally burned) from my house the sacred portion and have given it: The speaker is saying that he has given part of his own property as a sacred gift. He gave it to the Levites and to others who were in need.

26:14

offered any of it for the dead: In some pagan practices, people offered food to the dead. They believed these offerings would help or sustain them.

Such food offerings were not acceptable as part of the tithe. The tithe was to be given to the Levites and not used for these rituals.

26:16

with all your heart and with all your soul: This Hebrew phrase clearly refers to the Shema, the foundational statement of Israel’s faith and covenant commitment (see 6:4–5 and study notes).

God’s expectations were very high and holy. People could not follow them only partway. They had to obey completely, giving their whole effort to God.

26:16–19

Moses explained the main covenant principles (chapters 5–11) and clarified their application (chapters 12–26). Then Moses urged the people to obey the covenant with all their hearts.

The Lord had called them into a special relationship with himself, a privilege that required obedience to the covenant prescriptions. The result of this submission was holiness, a state that reflected God’s character and that would flow naturally from unbroken fellowship with him.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources