Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 26

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.

• 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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.