Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 26:11
So you shall rejoice—you, the Levite, and the foreigner dwelling among you—in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses Israel on the plains of Moab, concluding the instructions for the firstfruit offering and preceding the third-year tithe distribution. The command functions as the communal conclusion to the ritual of presenting the basket before the altar and bowing down.
The words — The Hebrew verb שָׂמַח (samach) carries the literal sense "you will rejoice," and the phrase בְּכָל־הַטּוֹב translates to "in all the good [things]." The syntax explicitly links the people, the Levite, and the foreigner dwelling among them as co-participants in this rejoicing.
The thread — The directive parallels Deuteronomy 12:7 and Deuteronomy 16:11, where rejoicing is tied to eating and celebrating before Yahweh at the designated place. The New Testament reference in Philippians 4:4 redirects the object of that commanded rejoicing from material provision to the Lord Himself.
Why it lands — The text commands the Israelites to include the Levite and foreigner in the celebration of Yahweh's material blessings, making gratitude a public, shared obligation. It frames rejoicing as a required response to divine provision rather than a private emotional reaction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 16:11 and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
- Deuteronomy 12:7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
- Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
- Deuteronomy 28:47 Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance,
- Psalms 100:1 A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
- Isaiah 65:14 My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart and wail with a broken spirit.
- Deuteronomy 12:12 And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
- Psalms 63:3 Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
- Zechariah 9:17 How lovely they will be, and how beautiful! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the young women.
- Deuteronomy 12:18 Instead, you must eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates. Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you do,