Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 23:24
When thou comest into thy neighbor’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put [any] in thy vessel.
Deu 23:24-25
Thou mayest eat grapes.
Grapes and ears of corn free
Thus a privilege was granted, but one strictly limited. A man who was thirsty might help himself to as many grapes as he cared to eat, but he was not to take any away. A man who was hungry might pluck ears of corn, as the disciples of Jesus did, and eat the grains, but he was not to carry a sheaf from the field. In this manner property was guarded. This is in harmony with the biblical law of property generally honoured at the present time. Even those who denounce individual property in land and minerals, and wish to nationalise them, do not advocate such nationalisation without payment to the proprietors. If ownership in land were set aside, the poor might lose the farm or the field bequeathed for their benefit. If ownership in money or goods were set aside, the widow might lose her small annuity, and even have to give up the old watch she values as having belonged to her husband and the treasured curiosities brought by her sailor son from a foreign land. Still, the best property human beings possess is the mental and spiritual wealth they carry in their mind and heart. In other words, they may have history, biography, poetry, religion as the treasures of their inner life. The owners of property are not to be greedily selfish. Nothing was said by Moses to the proprietor or tenant of the vineyard or corn field, but much was implied. If he saw a man, woman, or child pulling a cluster of grapes, he was not to be in a tempest of wrath, as though some great wrong had been done him, or to threaten the intruder with a criminal action. The man was rather to be glad that out of his abundance thirsty and hungry wayfarers could have their needs so readily supplied. Those who have are to be generous to those who have not. Every rich man in the country who does not value his riches as power to do good is an enemy to himself and the country. The limitation of privilege in the vineyard and the corn field enjoined by Moses was an implied exhortation to industry. Grapes might be eaten in the vineyard, but no vessel was to be filled with them and carried away. Those who wanted grapes for the wine press were to grow grapes. Ears of corn might be plucked, but the sickle was not to be used in the field. Those who wanted corn to grind were to plough, to sow, and reap in their own fields; there was to be no greedy appropriation of the fruit for which other men had laboured. It is much better for human beings to act for themselves than indolently to lean on others. There is no food so good as that which a man earns with his own hands. Labour is the law of the spiritual as well as of the temporal sphere. Those who wish to attain a good degree in the Church, and to win the eulogiums pronounced on Christs faithful servants, must work hard for themselves, that they may learn how to work hard for others. They must read much, think much, pray much. In one of his books Lord Beaconsfield represents a youth as saying, I should like to be a great man. The counsel given him was: You must nourish your mind with great thoughts. Those who wish to rank high in Christs service must appropriate great thoughts, and make them their own by reflection and meditation. There is no way to usefulness except by ardent toil. It is only by setting ourselves to work that we shall be able to afford grapes and corn to famishing souls. (J. Marrat.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 24. Thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.] Thou shalt carry none away with thee. The old English proverb, Eat thy fill but pocket none, seems to have been founded on this law.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thou mayest eat grapes thy fill; which was allowed in those parts, because of the great plenty and fruitfulness of vines there.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24, 25. When thou comest into thyneighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thineown pleasureVineyards, like cornfields mentioned in the nextverse [De 23:25], were oftenunenclosed. In vine-growing countries grapes are amazingly cheap; andwe need not wonder, therefore, that all within reach of a person’sarm, was free; the quantity plucked was a loss never felt by theproprietor, and it was a kindly privilege afforded to the poor andwayfaring man.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
When thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard,…. To take a walk in it for recreation, and to see how the vines flourish, and what sort of fruit and what quantity of it they bear; being invited thither by the owner, or occasionally passing that way stepped in, and even it may be on purpose to taste the fruits of the vine and quench thirst and satisfy appetite:
then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill, at thine own pleasure; as many as they would, till nature was satisfied:
but thou shall not put [any] in thy vessel; to carry away, to be eaten by them or theirs at another time and place; they were to put none into their pockets or into their baskets, as the Targum of Jonathan, or whatsoever vessel they might have with them in the vineyard. Jarchi says, the Scripture speaks of a workman, and only at the time of gathering the grapes, when he was putting into his master’s vessels, and might not put any into his own, and carry away; so the Jewish writers i generally interpret it of a workman only, and of his eating those things in which he works, and not of such as pass by the way; so the Targums: and there are many traditions in the Misnah k concerning this affair; as that by this law a workman might eat while in his work, as the ox may while it is treading out the corn, and when his work is perfect; and that he may eat of what he is employed about; only if he is at work upon figs, he may not eat of grapes, and if on grapes, he may not eat of figs; nor might he eat more than his hire came to; and that he might make a covenant for his son and daughter, servant and handmaid, adult (that they shall take money and not eat), and for his wife, because they are endowed with knowledge; but not for his son and daughter, servant and maidservant, minors, because they are not: but Josephus l, their countryman, better interprets this law, who says, that travellers, of those that passed by the way, were not forbidden tasting ripe fruits, and even were permitted to fill themselves with them as if their own, whether they were of the country or strangers.
i Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Maaserot, c. 2. sect. 7. k Misn. Bava Metzia, c. 7. sect. 2, 4, 5, 6. l Antiqu. l. 4. c. 8. sect. 21.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In the vineyard and cornfield of a neighbour they might eat at pleasure to still their hunger, but they were not to put anything into a vessel, or swing a sickle upon another’s corn, that is to say, carry away any store of grapes or ears of corn. , according to thy desire, or appetite (cf. Deu 14:26). “ Pluck the ears: ” cf. Mat 12:1; Luk 6:1. – The right of hungry persons, when passing through a field, to pluck ears of corn, and rub out the grains and eat, is still recognised among the Arabs (vid., Rob. Pal. ii. 192).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 24, 25:
The text authorizes one to eat from his neighbor’s vineyard and grain crop, to appease his hunger. But he was not allowed to store for himself any fruit or grain from his neighbor’s fields. This principle still applies among Arab lands today. Jesus and His disciples utilized the provisions of this law, see Mat 12:1; Luk 6:1.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Since God here concedes a great indulgence to the poor, some restrict it to the laborers in the harvest and vintage, (142) as if He permitted them to pluck the ears of corn and grapes with their hands for food alone, and not to carry away. I have no doubt, however, that it refers to all persons, and that no greater license is given than humanity demands. For we must not strain the words too precisely, but look to the intention of the Lawgiver. God forbids men to introduce a sickle into the harvest of another; now, if a man should pluck with his hands as many ears of corn as he could carry on his shoulders, or lay upon a horse, could he excuse himself by the puerile explanation that he had not used a sickle? But, if common sense itself repudiates such gross impudence, it is plain that the Law has another object, viz., that no one should touch even an ear of another man’s harvest, except for present use, which occurred to Christ’s disciples, when they were compelled by hunger to rub the ears of corn in their hands, lest they should faint by the way. (Mat 12:1.) The same view must be taken as to grapes. If any man deliberately breaks into another’s vineyard and gorges himself there, whatever excuse he may make, he will be accounted a thief. Wherefore, there is no doubt but that this Law permits hungry travelers to refresh themselves by eating grapes, when they have not enough of other food. But although the liberty of eating to their fill is granted, still it was not. allowable oil this pretext to gorge themselves. Besides, vineyards were enclosed with hedges and guarded; whence it appears that the grapes were not exposed to every glutton. This, then, is the sum, that it is not accounted a theft, if a traveler, in order to relieve his hunger, should stretch forth his hand to the hanging fruit, (143) until he should arrive at his resting-place where he may buy bread and wine.
(142) “The Chaldee translateth, when thou art hired; and of such do the Hebrews understand this Law, that laborers hired to work in a vineyard are to eat of the fruit thereof.” — Ainsworth. So also Vatablus from the Chaldee and Arabic, in Poole’s Synopsis.
(143) “Cueille des espis, ou des raisins pour sa necessite,” should gather ears of corn or grapes for his necessary wants. — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) PARTAKING OF A NEIGHBORS CROP (Deu. 23:24-25)
24 When thou comest into thy neighbors vineyard, then thou mayest eat of grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel. 25 When thou comest into thy neighbors standing grain, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thy hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbors standing grain.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 23:24, 25
403.
Why was this provision made? Consider two viewpoints.
404.
Jesus disciples made use of this law. Cf. Mat. 12:1 ff.
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 23:24, 25
24 When you come into your neighbors vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes as many as you please; but you shall not put any in your vessel.
25 When you come into the standing grain of your neighbor, you may pluck the ears with your hand; but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbors standing grain.
COMMENT 23:24, 25
In both the vineyard and the grain-field, the rule is based on the principle of providing for the immediate needs of the individual who passed through the field. They were not allowed to lay up a reserve of either crop.
Jesus disciples used this law to their advantage, Mat. 12:1 ff. The Pharisees rebuke in that instance was doubtless based on such passages as Exo. 31:12-17, Num. 15:32-36. But they forgot at least two considerations: 1. Preservation of human life is a principle over-shadowing subbath-keeping, 2. Christ himself is Lord and Master of the sabbath.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(24) When thou comest into thy neighbours vineyard.Rashi tries to limit both this and the following precept to the labourer engaged in gathering the vintage or the harvest, when vessels are used and sickles employed. But the plain meaning will stand, and is accepted by our Lord in the Gospel. The objection made to His disciples was not that they plucked their neighbours corn, but that they did it on the Sabbath (a kind of harvesting, and therefore unlawful according to the scribes).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Thou mayest eat It was allowable to eat grain or fruit in the field of a neighbour, but not to carry away grain from the field nor grapes from the vineyard. Compare Mat 12:1; Luk 6:1, where we read that the disciples of Jesus plucked and ate the grain as they passed through the fields. At the present day in the East the right of a hungry person to eat fruit or grain in the field of another is recognised. See Biblical Researches, vol. ii, p. 192, and Bible Lands, 12 mo, p. 128.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Food May Be Picked From A Neighbour’s Property To Be Eaten By Hand ( Deu 23:24 ).
Further provision was made here for the poor, but it also applied to any who were feeling hungry and looked for the means at hand to satisfy it, especially when travelling. For the land was Yahweh’s and He may order as He would. He was the Master and Israel His slaves (Deu 32:36; Lev 25:55; Isa 1:3). Furthermore this goes along with Deu 24:20-22 where they must leave gleanings because they had escaped a cruel foreign master in Egypt. Thus the master/slave relationship is very much in mind here.
Deu 23:24
‘ When you come into your neighbour’s vineyard, then you may eat of grapes your fill at your own pleasure, but you shall not put any in your vessel.’
The principle was simple. If they were in a vineyard belonging to an Israelite (a ‘neighbour’) they could eat as many grapes as they wished. However, they were not to take any away in a vessel or any other similar thing. The idea was not that everyone should raid the vineyards when they were hungry. The point was that no restriction was put on someone passing through as long as they only ate what they then required.
Deu 23:25
‘ When you come into your neighbour’s standing grain, then you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not move a sickle to your neighbour’s standing grain.’
The same applied to standing grain (not harvested grain). They could pluck ears with their hand and eat their fill. But they must not cut any down with a sharp tool. Thus none need go hungry, but this was not to be an excuse for theft or taking wrong advantage of a neighbour’s generosity. Compare Mar 2:23-28 and parallels.
Both these examples are based on Yahweh’s ownership of the land, and position with regard to Israel. He has the right to make these demands because the land and all it produces is in the end His. He is the master and owns the land and those who ‘rent’ the land are His servants so that He may do as He will. (Lev 25:55; Deu 32:36. This is precisely also the relationship in which Pharaoh stood to the Egyptians, compare Gen 47:20). And yet they too will benefit for it is Yahweh who makes the land fruitful.
There is a lesson here for us all on neighbourly sharing and being generous, especially to have-nots, as we recognise in a similar way that what we have also fully belongs to Him, and we should use it as he chooses.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 24, 25. When thou comest into thy neighbour’s vine-yard, &c. The rabbis understand this law in favour of poor labourers, who were hired to work in vineyards in the time of the vintage: for, if the very oxen were not to be muzzled whilst they trod out the corn, how much less ought the labourer to be debarred from eating of the fruits about which he laboured! There seems, however, no reason for restricting this indulgence to husbandmen; it may justly be enlarged to all travellers in the highway, whether Israelites or others, who had occasion to pass by a vineyard or field, and needed a refreshment. The disciples of our Saviour made use of this common right. See Mat 12:1; Mat 12:50.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Did not the LORD, by these precepts of freedom, and liberty to partake of the fruits of the vine and of the field one among another, not only teach the brotherly love and affection, by which his people should be known and distinguished: but was it not intended also, to show that our blessings are common blessings, for all freely to partake in the LORD JESUS? The disciples were not reproved in the days of our LORD’S flesh, for eating of the ears of corn, as they walked through the fields, but because it was done on the LORD’s day. Mat 12:2 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Deu 23:24 When thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put [any] in thy vessel.
Ver. 24. When thou comest, &c. ] As a passenger; Mat 12:1-2 how much more as a labourer; 1Co 9:7 thou mayest take what thou wilt for necessity, but not for superfluity.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 23:24
24When you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, then you may eat grapes until you are fully satisfied, but you shall not put any in your basket.
Deu 23:24-25 you This refers to the needy of the land, the orphan, the widow, the alien, and the poor. This was part of the law of gleaning. It is mentioned in several texts (cf. Lev 19:9-10; Lev 23:22; Deu 24:21; Jdg 8:2; Jdg 20:45; Ruth 2; Isa 17:6; Isa 24:13; Jer 6:9; Jer 49:9; Mic 7:1). It shows both God’s care for the poor and His ownership of the harvest.
Deu 23:24 until you are fully satisfied This is a combination of according to your desire (BDB 659) and your fill (BDB 959, cf. Exo 16:3; Lev 25:19; Rth 2:18; Psa 78:25; Pro 13:25). It speaks, not of eating enough just to get by, but of eating all you want. What a marvelous provision for the poor, needy, and alien passing by. There is also no limit of how many times one can return.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
at thine own pleasure = as thy soul [desireth], Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
thou mayest: Rom 12:13, 1Co 10:26, Heb 13:5
Reciprocal: Mar 2:23 – to pluck
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 23:24. At thy pleasure Which was allowed in those parts, because of the great plenty and fruitfulness of vines there.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23:24 When thou comest into {n} thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put [any] in thy {o} vessel.
(n) Being hired for labour.
(o) To bring home to your house.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Eating standing crops 23:24-25
God permitted traveling Israelites to glean the grapes and wheat from fields they passed through, but they were not to harvest their neighbors’ crops (Deu 23:24-25; cf. Mat 12:1; Mar 2:23; Luk 6:1). Harvesting them would amount to stealing them. Here is another way in which the Israelites were to love their neighbors as themselves.
God’s people should be gracious toward the needy and should not abuse the graciousness of their brethren (cf. Heb 13:5; 1Ti 6:8).