THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
You are not to collect the fallen grapes from your harvest, nor are you to gather the fallen olives. This command highlights the love emphasized in the new gospel, as well as the command to love your neighbor as yourself.
Leviticus 19:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
When thou reapest the corn of thy land, thou shalt not cut down all that is on the face of the earth to the very ground: nor shalt thou gather the ears that remain.
וּֽבְקֻצְרְכֶם֙ אֶת־קְצִ֣יר אַרְצְכֶ֔ם לֹ֧א תְכַלֶּ֛ה פְּאַ֥ת שָׂדְךָ֖ לִקְצֹ֑ר וְלֶ֥קֶט קְצִֽירְךָ֖ לֹ֥א תְלַקֵּֽט׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Clement of Alexandria
The legislation reveals both the righteousness and benevolence of God, who graciously ensures that all have access to nourishment. During the grape harvest, it was prohibited to return for clusters that may have been overlooked or that fell to the ground. This same principle is extended to those who harvest olives (See Deuteronomy 24:20). Furthermore, the practice of dedicating a tenth of the harvest (See Lev. 27:30-32; Num. 10:22-29) is intended to honor God, encouraging a spirit of generosity rather than selfishness, and promotes sharing fairly with one’s neighbors.
Read more (70 words)
The Law instructs landowners not to collect the ears of grain that have fallen from the sheaves at the time of harvest; it also advises that a portion should be left unharvested (cf. Deut. 24:19-21). This directive serves a dual purpose: it teaches landowners to make personal sacrifices by giving some of their resources to those in need, while simultaneously ensuring that the impoverished have the means to sustain themselves.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Lev 23:22And when you reap the corn of your land, you shall not cut it to the very ground: neither shall you gather the ears that remain. But you shall leave them for the poor and for the strangers. I am the Lord your God.
- Deut 24:19When thou hast reaped the corn in thy field, and hast forgot and left a sheaf, thou shalt not return to take it away: but thou shalt suffer the stranger, and the fatherless and the widow to take it away: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the works of thy hands.
- Deut 24:22Remember that thou also wast a bondman in Egypt, and therefore I command thee to do this thing.
- Ruth 2:2And Ruth, the Moabitess, said to her mother in law: If thou wilt, I will go into the field, and glean the ears of corn that escape the hands of the reapers, wheresoever I shall find grace with a householder, that will be favourable to me. And she answered her: Go, my daughter.
- Ruth 2:15And she arose from thence, to glean the ears of corn as before. And Booz commanded his servants, saying: If she would even reap with you, hinder her not:
- Lev 23:10Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: When you shall have entered into the land which I will give you, and shall reap your corn, you shall bring sheaves of ears, the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest.
- Lev 23:29Every soul that is not afflicted on this day, shall perish from among his people.