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Deuteronomy 15

World English Bible

WEB

1At the end of every seven years, you shall cancel debts. 2This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother, because Yahweh’s release has been proclaimed. 3Of a foreigner you may require it; but whatever of yours is with your brother, your hand shall release. 4However there will be no poor with you (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess) 5if only you diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you today. 6For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. 7If a poor man, one of your brothers, is with you within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; 8but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks. 9Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you. 10You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. 11For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land. 12If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13When you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty. 14You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press. As Yahweh your God has blessed you, you shall give to him. 15You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God redeemed you. Therefore I command you this thing today. 16It shall be, if he tells you, “I will not go out from you,” because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you, 17then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise. 18It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for he has been double the value of a hired hand as he served you six years. Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do. 19You shall dedicate all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock to Yahweh your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. 20You shall eat it before Yahweh your God year by year in the place which Yahweh shall choose, you and your household. 21If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God. 22You shall eat it within your gates. The unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle and as the deer. 23Only you shall not eat its blood. You shall pour it out on the ground like water.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Deuteronomy Chapter 15 addresses the laws concerning debt release and the treatment of the poor within the community of Israel. The chapter begins with the commandment that every seventh year is to be a year of release, where all debts are forgiven. This practice, known as the Year of Jubilee, emphasizes God's desire for mercy and restoration among His people (#Jubilee). The Israelites are instructed to not harden their hearts or shut their hands against their needy brothers, as God blesses those who are generous and compassionate. This reflects the principle that God’s provision is abundant, and His people are called to share that abundance with others (#Generosity).

The chapter further emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and the marginalized. It warns against the temptation to withhold help from those in need, especially as the year of release approaches. God reminds His people that they will always have the poor among them, and they are to open their hands wide to their brothers and sisters in need. The chapter concludes with instructions regarding the treatment of Hebrew servants, who are to be released after six years of service, and the importance of blessing them generously as they depart. This reflects the overarching theme of freedom and dignity that God desires for His people, reinforcing the call to live in a way that honors Him and uplifts others (#Compassion).

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 21:2v12Exodus 21:2 outlines the law regarding Hebrew servants, stating they shall serve for six years and be freed in the seventh. Deuteronomy 15:12 reiterates this law, emphasizing the release of Hebrew servants after six years of service.
  2. Leviticus 25:35v7Leviticus 25:35 instructs the Israelites to support their fellow countrymen who become poor. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 similarly commands generosity towards the poor, highlighting the biblical principle of caring for the needy.
  3. Nehemiah 5:11v1Nehemiah 5:11 calls for the restoration of fields, vineyards, and houses to the people. Deuteronomy 15:1-2 discusses the year of release, where debts are forgiven, reflecting the spirit of restoration Nehemiah advocates.
  4. Jeremiah 34:15-16v12Jeremiah 34:15-16 highlights the people's initial obedience and subsequent disobedience in releasing slaves, reflecting the principles in Deuteronomy 15:12-15 about freeing slaves and the importance of keeping covenants.

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