Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 15

Introduction

Overview

Deuteronomy 15:1, The seventh year a year of release for the poor; Deuteronomy 15:7, It must be no let of lending or giving; Deuteronomy 15:12, An Hebrew servant, except he will not depart, must in the seventh year go forth free and well furnished; Deuteronomy 15:19, All firstling males of the cattle are to be sanctified unto the Lord.

Verse 1

Deuteronomy 31:10, Exodus 21:2, Exodus 23:10, Exodus 23:11, Leviticus 25:2-4, Isaiah 61:1-3, Jeremiah 36:8-18, Luke 4:18, Luke 4:19

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 15:12 - General Nehemiah 10:31 - the exaction

Verse 2

creditor that lendeth: Heb. master of the lending of his hand

exact it: Nehemiah 5:7-11, Isaiah 58:3, Amos 8:4-6, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 18:25-35, Luke 6:34-38, Luke 7:42, James 2:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:15 - Damascus Exodus 22:14 - borrow Deuteronomy 31:10 - General Daniel 11:20 - a raiser of taxes in the Matthew 18:28 - and took

Verse 3

Deuteronomy 23:20, Exodus 22:25, Matthew 17:25, Matthew 17:26, John 8:35, 1 Corinthians 6:6, 1 Corinthians 6:7, Galatians 6:10

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 15:4 - Save Nehemiah 5:7 - Ye exact usury Daniel 11:20 - a raiser of taxes in the

Verse 4

Save: etc. or, To the end that there be no poor among you, Houbigant follows this marginal reading, to which he joins the end of the Deuteronomy 15:3, considering it as explanatory of the law; as if he had said, "Thou shalt not exact the debt that is due from thy brother, but thy hand shall release him, for this reason, that there may be no poor among you through your severity." He justly contends that the phrase ephes kee, can here only mean, "to the end that," being equivalent to the French afin que.

greatly bless: Deuteronomy 14:29, Deuteronomy 28:1-8, Deuteronomy 28:11, Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 11:25, Proverbs 14:21, Proverbs 28:27, Isaiah 58:10, Isaiah 58:11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 15:10 - because 2 Corinthians 8:2 - the riches

Verse 5

Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 11:13-15, Deuteronomy 28:1-15, Leviticus 26:3-14, Joshua 1:7, Psalms 19:11, Isaiah 1:19, Isaiah 1:20, Philippians 1:27

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 26:17 - hearken 1 Kings 11:38 - if thou wilt

Verse 6

thou shalt lend: Deuteronomy 28:12, Deuteronomy 28:44, Psalms 37:21, Psalms 37:26, Psalms 112:5, Proverbs 22:7, Luke 6:35

thou shalt reign: Deuteronomy 28:13, 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Kings 4:24, 2 Chronicles 9:26, Ezra 4:20, Nehemiah 9:27

Verse 7

there be: Lest the preceding law might render the Israelites cautious in lending to the poor, Moses here warns them against being led by so mean a principle; but to lend liberally, and God would reward them.

thou shalt: Deuteronomy 15:9, Proverbs 21:13, Matthew 18:30, James 2:15, James 2:16, 1 John 3:16, 1 John 3:17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:35 - thy brother 1 Samuel 30:11 - gave him Nehemiah 5:1 - their brethren Nehemiah 5:3 - mortgaged Nehemiah 10:31 - the exaction Job 22:7 - not given Job 31:16 - withheld Psalms 41:1 - Blessed Psalms 112:5 - showeth Proverbs 19:17 - lendeth Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye Proverbs 28:27 - that giveth Ecclesiastes 11:1 - thy bread Isaiah 58:10 - thou draw Ezekiel 18:7 - hath given Zechariah 7:9 - saying Matthew 5:42 - General Matthew 25:35 - I was an Luke 6:30 - Give 2 Corinthians 9:7 - not 1 Timothy 6:18 - ready James 1:9 - the brother

Verse 8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:35 - thy brother Deuteronomy 15:11 - Thou shalt Deuteronomy 24:10 - When Psalms 37:26 - merciful Isaiah 16:14 - three Luke 6:34 - General Luke 11:41 - rather Romans 12:8 - giveth

Verse 9

Beware: Proverbs 4:23, Jeremiah 17:10, Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21, Mark 7:22, Romans 7:8, Romans 7:9, James 4:5

thought: etc. Heb. word with thine heart of Belial

thine eye: Deuteronomy 28:54-56, Proverbs 23:6, Proverbs 24:9, Proverbs 28:22, Matthew 20:15, James 5:9, 1 Peter 4:9

he cry: Deuteronomy 24:15, Exodus 3:7, Exodus 22:23, Job 34:28, Psalms 9:12, Proverbs 21:13, James 5:4

sin unto thee: Matthew 25:41-45, James 4:17, 1 John 3:15-17

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 7:17 - thou shalt Deuteronomy 15:7 - thou shalt Deuteronomy 24:13 - shall be Psalms 37:21 - righteous Proverbs 30:10 - lest Isaiah 5:7 - a cry Amos 4:1 - which oppress Malachi 2:13 - covering Matthew 24:48 - say Acts 8:20 - thou 2 Corinthians 10:5 - every thought James 1:9 - the brother

Verse 10

thine heart: Matthew 25:40, Acts 20:35, Romans 12:8, 2 Corinthians 9:5-7, 1 Timothy 6:18, 1 Timothy 6:19, 1 Peter 4:11

because: Deuteronomy 15:4, Deuteronomy 14:19, Deuteronomy 14:29, Deuteronomy 24:19, Psalms 41:1, Psalms 41:2, Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 11:25, Proverbs 22:9, Isaiah 32:8, Isaiah 58:10, 2 Corinthians 9:8-11, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:16

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 15:18 - shall not Deuteronomy 23:20 - that the Deuteronomy 24:13 - shall be Deuteronomy 28:8 - settest Deuteronomy 28:12 - to bless all Proverbs 28:27 - that giveth Ecclesiastes 11:1 - for Haggai 2:19 - from Luke 6:38 - and it

Verse 11

the poor: Although Moses, by the statutes relative to the division of the land, and inheritance, and the inalienable nature of it, had studied to prevent any Israelite from being born poor, yet he exhorts them to the exercise of the tenderest compassion and most benevolent actions; and not to refuse assistance to the decayed Israelite, though the sabbatical year drew nigh. Proverbs 22:2, Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, John 12:8

Thou shalt: Deuteronomy 15:8, Matthew 5:42, Luke 12:33, Acts 2:45, Acts 4:32-35, Acts 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 8:2-9, 1 John 3:16-18

Reciprocal: Job 31:17 - have Psalms 112:9 - dispersed Matthew 5:22 - his brother 1 Corinthians 16:2 - as God Ephesians 6:9 - ye James 1:9 - the brother

Verse 12

Deuteronomy 15:1, Exodus 21:2-6, Leviticus 25:39-41, Jeremiah 34:14, John 8:35, John 8:36

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:3 - by himself Job 31:13 - the cause Jeremiah 34:8 - to proclaim Jeremiah 34:9 - Hebrew Colossians 4:1 - give

Verse 13

This is a most humane and merciful addition to the law in Exodus 21:2-11, enforced upon the Israelites by the consideration of their Egyptian bondage. As a faithful servant has made no property for himself while honestly serving his master, so now, when he quits his service, he has nothing to begin the world with except what the kindness of his master may bestow upon him as a remuneration for his zeal and fidelity. Though what was to be bestowed upon servants is not fixed, yet they were to be liberally supplied - Deuteronomy 15:14. Genesis 31:42, Exodus 3:21, Leviticus 25:42-44, Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 3:28, Jeremiah 22:13, Malachi 3:5, Colossians 4:1

Verse 14

the Lord: Nehemiah 8:10, Psalms 68:10, Proverbs 10:22, Acts 20:35, 1 Corinthians 16:2

Reciprocal: Numbers 18:27 - the corn Deuteronomy 15:13 - General Job 31:17 - have Romans 12:8 - giveth 2 Corinthians 9:7 - not

Verse 15

Deuteronomy 5:14, Deuteronomy 5:15, Deuteronomy 16:12, Exodus 20:2, Isaiah 51:1, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 18:32, Matthew 18:33, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:12, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:1, Ephesians 5:2, Titus 2:14, 1 John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-11

Reciprocal: Exodus 6:6 - redeem Exodus 13:3 - Remember Exodus 22:21 - for ye were strangers Deuteronomy 6:21 - We were Deuteronomy 9:26 - which thou hast brought forth Deuteronomy 24:18 - General 2 Samuel 7:23 - thy people 1 Chronicles 17:21 - redeem Nehemiah 1:10 - whom Psalms 78:35 - their redeemer Psalms 106:7 - they Psalms 107:2 - Let the Psalms 111:9 - sent Psalms 136:24 - General Jeremiah 2:20 - For of Jeremiah 16:14 - that brought Jeremiah 34:13 - in the Ezekiel 16:4 - for Hosea 7:13 - though Micah 6:4 - and redeemed Ephesians 2:11 - remember

Verse 16

Exodus 21:5, Exodus 21:6, Psalms 40:6, Psalms 40:8

Verse 17

for ever: Leviticus 25:39-42, 1 Samuel 1:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:5 - And if Exodus 21:6 - for ever Job 41:4 - a servant

Verse 18

shall not: Deuteronomy 15:10

a double: Isaiah 16:14, Isaiah 21:16, Luke 17:7, Luke 17:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:2 - and in the Leviticus 25:50 - according to the time Job 7:1 - like the days

Verse 19

the firstling: Exodus 13:2, Exodus 13:12, Exodus 34:19, Leviticus 27:26, Numbers 3:13, Numbers 18:17, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 12:23

thou shalt do: Deuteronomy 12:5-7, Deuteronomy 12:17, Deuteronomy 14:23, Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 16:14, Numbers 18:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:30 - Likewise Leviticus 5:15 - in the Leviticus 22:2 - hallow Deuteronomy 12:6 - tithes

Verse 20

Deuteronomy 12:5-7, Deuteronomy 12:17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:15 - in the Deuteronomy 12:6 - tithes Deuteronomy 12:7 - And there Deuteronomy 12:11 - a place Deuteronomy 12:18 - thou must Deuteronomy 14:23 - the firstlings Deuteronomy 16:2 - in the place which

Verse 21

Deuteronomy 17:1, Leviticus 22:20, Leviticus 22:24, Malachi 1:7, Malachi 1:8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 1:3 - a male Numbers 28:19 - they shall Malachi 1:13 - torn Hebrews 9:14 - without

Verse 22

the unclean: Deuteronomy 12:15, Deuteronomy 12:21, Deuteronomy 12:22

the roebuck: Tzevee, in Arabic zaby, Chaldee and Syriac tavya, denotes the gazelle or antelope, so called from its stately beauty, as the word imports. In size it is smaller than the roe, of an elegant form, and it motions are light and graceful. It bounds seemingly without effort, and runs with such swiftness that few creatures can exceed it - 2 Samuel 2:18. Its fine eyes are so much celebrated as even to become a proverb; and its flesh is much esteemed for food among eastern nations, having a sweet, musky taste, which is highly agreeable to their palates - 1 Kings 4:23. If to these circumstances we add, that they are gregarious, and common all over the East, whereas the roe is either not known at all, or else very rare in these countries, little doubt can remain that the gazelle and not the roe is intended by the original word.

Verse 23

Deuteronomy 12:16, Deuteronomy 12:23, Leviticus 7:26, 1 Samuel 14:32, Ezekiel 33:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:4 - the life Leviticus 3:17 - blood Leviticus 17:10 - that eateth Leviticus 17:13 - pour out Deuteronomy 12:15 - the unclean Deuteronomy 12:24 - General Acts 15:20 - things