26:5 My ancestor was a wandering Aramean This is primarily a reference to Jacob (see Gen 46:1–7; Num 20:15–16), though it could also apply to his ancestors—Abraham and Isaac—and even his own children (see note on Gen 24:10). This phrase Aramean refers to someone from Paddan-aram in northwest Mesopotamia (Gen 24:4, 10; 25:20). The region included Haran, the place from which Abram traveled to Canaan. This geographical identification does not contradict the reference to Abraham’s being from “Ur of the Chaldeans”; there is an Ur known in the region of Paddan-aram (see Gen 11:28, 31).

26:8 signs and with wonders The plagues and the exodus event (see Exod 7–14).

26:9 a land flowing with milk and honey A Hebrew idiom for fertility and prosperity.

26:11 the alien Refers to a resident alien (non-Israelite).

26:13 before Yahweh your God At the central sanctuary; see Deut 12.

I have removed the sacred portion This tithe supports those in Israel particularly at risk of poverty or destitution.

any of your commandments The farmer is required to testify that he has been faithful to the laws concerning the tithe (see 14:28–29).

26:14 during my time of mourning The mourning context created the possible circumstance that the farmer might be ritually impure due to contact with a dead body. See Num 19; Hos 9:4.

I have not removed anything from it while being unclean, and I have not offered any of it The farmer testifies that he has neither defiled the tithe by virtue of his own ritual uncleanness nor mishandled it.

while being unclean The complex system of judging uncleanness and cleanness according to ritual purity laws affected the sacred space of the sanctuary, the priesthood, and the life of every Israelite.

anything from it while being unclean, and I have not offered any of it to someone who has died The ancient Israelites believed the dead became part of the underworld (called she’ol in Hebrew). Such offerings maintained some connection with deceased loved ones.

Old Testament Theology of the Afterlife

26:15 from the dwelling place of your holiness, from heaven The God of Israel reigned from heaven, overseeing the nations; see Deut 2:9, 19.

26:18 for him as a people, a treasured possession See Exod 19:5; Deut 7:6–8; 14:2.

26:19 above all the nations that he has made Yahweh, the global King, chose Israel to be exalted as His possession (see 28:9–10; 32:8–9).