The laws collected in Leviticus and Deuteronomy were part of a general system of political economy that God prepared for the Israelites. In Hebrew, glean is the word “alal,” and one who glean is called “olelah.” The same word is also used in Arabic to represent a second drink to quench the residual thirst one might have after the first long drink. In general, the law of gleaning describes the command given by the Bible to landowners, requiring them to leave surplus to the poor to give them the opportunity to work for food. This commandment was given to show concern for the poor and marginalized, especially “the stranger, the orphan, and the widow” (Deut. 24:19-21). Laws benefiting the poor were also common outside of Israel. Indeed, the very practice of gleaning existed in Egypt and elsewhere in the ancient Near East. Evidence of gleaning can be found in the Almanac of the Sumerian Famer (lines 79-86). Here the presence of gleaners during the harvest period was assumed and some limits were placed to regulate their activity. Furthermore, in the same section, the reaper is exhorted to leave ears of barley that have fallen to the ground for the needy with the promised reward of divine blessing. It should be noted, however, that only Israeli legislation extends this treatment to resident foreigners, and not just to the poor. This was yet another way in which God's people were to distinguish themselves from the surrounding nations. Furthermore, "pagan peoples sometimes had regulations like these for some (crops) to be left to gods or demons, but here there is no such thing, for Israel did not conceive of God as needing earthly food." about gleaning is first found in Leviticus 19:9-10 and the... in the middle of the paper... is not to be done in general, not what should be done specifically. First, this law suggests that all compassion, especially in dealing with possessions, is based on the principle that God owns the earth (Psalms 24:1). As stated above, the primary ownership of everything created belongs to God. He has the right to establish whatever requirements He sees fit, and His subordinates are obliged to obey. Outside of God, every other property is secondary and derivative. This is important to remember, especially when thinking about giving and tithing. Another application that may arise from this law is that God expects the most successful members of society to voluntarily provide charitable opportunities to the poor to help them improve their overall condition. This can be directly applied to modern society. While land was the main economic instrument of that time,