Deuteronomychapter 15

23 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 173 cross-references outward and receives 158 — heaviest partner: Deuteronomy.

Chapter summary

The Sabbatical-year release and the Hebrew servant. Every seventh year, every creditor who has lent shall release what he has lent to his neighbour and brother. Lending to the stranger may continue. ‘Save when there shall be no poor among you’ — the ideal and the realism in the same breath: ‘the poor shall never cease out of the land’. Therefore open thine hand wide. The Hebrew servant freed in the seventh year goes out free with liberal provision; if he chooses to stay, his ear is bored through with an awl at the door-post. Firstlings of the herd and flock eaten before the LORD at the chosen place. Gill notes the chapter's twin stress: release liberally, free liberally.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Deuteronomy overview for the book's full setting.

1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.

2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because Jehovah’s release hath been proclaimed.

3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it: but whatsoever of thine is with thy brother thy hand shall release.

4 Howbeit there shall be no poor with thee (for Jehovah will surely bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it),

5 if only thou diligently hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all this commandment which I command thee this day.

6 For Jehovah thy God will bless thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.

7 If there be with thee a poor man, one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates in thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother;

8 but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth.

9 Beware that there be not a base thought in thy heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou give him nought; and he cry unto Jehovah against thee, and it be sin unto thee.