Deuteronomy 26:13 Meaning: Honest Accounting Before God
You shall say before Yahweh your God, “I have put away the holy things out of my house, and also have given them to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all your commandment which you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, neither have I forgotten them.
Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:
And thou shalt say before Jehovah thy God, I have put away the hallowed things out of my house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the sojourner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandment which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed any of thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:
and thou hast said before Jehovah thy God, I have put away the separated thing out of the house, and also have given it to the Levite, and to the sojourner, and to the orphan, and to the widow, according to all Thy command which Thou hast commanded me; I have not passed over from Thy commands, nor have I forgotten.
and thou shalt say before Jehovah thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of the house, and also have given them to the Levite, and to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandment which thou hast commanded me; I have not transgressed nor forgotten [any] of thy commandments:
Meaning in one sentence
What does Deuteronomy 26:13 mean? Learn about the declaration of faithful tithe-giving, caring for the vulnerable, and trusting God's commands.
Context
Moses gives instructions for the third-year tithe, a special offering designated for the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. This tithe was distributed locally, not at the sanctuary, so the people acted on their own honor. After giving, the worshiper made a public declaration before the Lord, not in the temple but in the privacy of home, spoken as if before God himself. The declaration reviewed what had been done: the holy portion removed from the house, given to those in need, in full obedience to what God commanded. It was a moment of honest accounting, a way to close the cycle of giving with integrity and gratitude.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words give this verse its weight. The verb bi'arti (removed) means to clear out completely, to purge. The word suggests the person did not leave any part of the holy thing behind; the giving was thorough and intentional. Next, haqqodesh (holy thing) comes from qodesh, meaning set apart for God. This was not ordinary property but something reserved for sacred use. Then the pair lo avarti and lo shakachti, I have not transgressed and I have not forgotten. Avar means to cross a boundary, to step over a limit. Shakach means to let slip, to cease to care. Together they describe obedience that is both active (not violating God's line) and attentive (not neglecting His command through forgetfulness). The giver must stay mindful, not just of the act but of the people the tithe was meant to feed.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian readers across traditions have seen different emphases in this declaration. Matthew Henry highlights the joy and honesty of the giver, who can look God in the face and say the work is done. Keil and Delitzsch caution that this is not pharisaic self-righteousness; the giver speaks out of a genuine desire to be faithful, aware they could have failed. Some Reformed commentators point to the specific list of recipients, Levite, foreigner, orphan, widow, as a model of social care woven into worship. Catholics and Orthodox note the careful accounting of sacred things, linking it to stewardship of what God provides. All agree that the declaration is not a claim of sinless perfection but an honest report about a particular act of obedience, offered with trust in God's blessing to follow.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading takes this declaration as a claim of perfect sinlessness, as if the speaker had never broken any of God's commands. In fact, the context shows it refers to a specific set of instructions about the third-year tithe. The person is testifying that they have followed the law regarding this offering, not that they have lived without any sin. The declaration is an honest accounting of a particular duty, not a blanket claim of moral perfection.
Living This Out
This week, you might take a quiet moment to review something God has asked of you. It could be a financial commitment, a promise to help a neighbor, or a way you set aside time for someone who is lonely. Ask yourself: Did I do what I said I would? Not to earn God's favor, but to live with integrity before Him. The declaration in this verse is not for show. It is a simple, honest report. You can make it too, not boastfully but with a clear heart. And if you find you have forgotten or left something undone, you can start again. The same God who accepted this declaration also provides mercy for the gaps.
Main takeaway: God invites His people to give with integrity, care for the vulnerable, and honestly account for their obedience before Him.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told His people to share their food with people who didn't have enough. You can share your snacks or toys too. God is happy when we give.
For ages 9, 12
In this verse, the person tells God, “I have given the special part of my harvest to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow, just like You said.” God cares about people who are lonely, poor, or without a family. When you give to help others, even in small ways, you are doing what God asks. You can be honest with God about how you gave, whether you did it well or need to try harder.
Questions People Ask
Who are the foreigner, fatherless, and widow in this verse?
These were vulnerable people in ancient Israel who lacked the usual means of support. The foreigner (ger) was a non-Israelite living among them without inherited land. The fatherless had no male provider, and widows were often without income. God commanded Israel to provide for them through tithes and gleanings.
Does this verse mean we can be perfect if we try hard enough?
No. The declaration is limited to a specific command about the third-year tithe. It is not a claim of total sinlessness. The person is testifying that they have followed God's instructions for this offering. The same chapter shows they rely on God's blessing, not their own perfection.
What is the “holy thing” that was put away?
The holy thing (qodesh) refers to the portion of the harvest set apart for God and for the poor, the tithe of the third year. It was considered sacred because it belonged to the Lord and was designated for His purposes. Removing it from the house meant it was no longer available for the owner's private use.
How does this apply to Christians today?
Many Christians see a principle of faithful stewardship: giving generously to support the church and care for the needy. The verse also teaches honest accountability before God. While the specific tithe laws of Israel are not directly binding on all believers, the heart of the command, providing for the vulnerable and giving with integrity, remains a clear biblical value.
Was this declaration made in the temple or at home?
Most commentators agree it was said in the home or local town, not at the central sanctuary. The giver ate the tithe with the poor within their own gates. The phrase 'before the Lord' indicates speaking to God as the all-seeing One, not necessarily in a specific building.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study