Deuteronomy 15

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 15

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

2And this [is] the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth [ought] unto his neighbour shall release [it]; he shall not exact [it] of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.

3Of a foreigner thou mayest exact [it again]: but [that] which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;

4Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it:

5Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.

6For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

7If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

8But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, [in that] which he wanteth.

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

10Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

11For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

12¶ [And] if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.

13And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:

14Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: [of that] wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.

15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

16And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;

17Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust [it] through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.

18It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant [to thee], in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

19¶ All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.

20Thou shalt eat [it] before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.

21And if there be [any] blemish therein, [as if it be] lame, or blind, [or have] any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.

22Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean [person shall eat it] alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart.

23Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Deuteronomy 15 outlines laws concerning the sabbatical year, requiring the release of debts among Israelites and the freeing of Hebrew servants after six years of service, providing for them generously. It emphasizes compassion for the poor, commanding open-handed giving and lending without grudging. The chapter concludes with instructions for sanctifying and consuming firstborn male animals, prohibiting the consumption of their blood.

Medium Summary

Deuteronomy 15 begins by instituting the "LORD's release" every seven years, mandating that creditors forgive debts owed by fellow Israelites, though not by foreigners. This command is linked to divine blessing and the ideal of no poor among them if they obey. The chapter then strongly urges generosity towards the poor, instructing Israelites to open their hands wide and lend without hesitation, even when the year of release is near, acknowledging that the poor will always be present. Furthermore, it details the release of Hebrew servants after six years, requiring masters to send them forth well-furnished, remembering Israel's own redemption from Egyptian bondage. A provision is made for servants who choose to remain, signified by an ear-piercing ritual for perpetual service. Finally, the chapter addresses the sanctification of firstborn male animals, which are to be eaten annually before the LORD, with specific rules for blemished animals and the prohibition of consuming blood.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy 15 commences with the law of the "year of release," to occur at the end of every seven years, during which creditors are commanded to release debts owed by their Israelite brethren, distinguishing this from debts owed by foreigners. This practice is explicitly designated as "the LORD's release," and obedience is promised divine blessings, including prosperity and the potential for no poor among them. However, the text immediately acknowledges the persistent reality of poverty, urging Israelites to cultivate a compassionate heart and an open hand towards their poor brethren within their gates. They are strictly warned against hardening their hearts or withholding aid, especially as the sabbatical year approaches, lest it become sin. The command is to lend sufficiently without grudging, as such generosity invites divine blessing upon all their endeavors. The chapter then transitions to the laws concerning Hebrew servants, stipulating that a Hebrew man or woman sold into service must be released in the seventh year. Upon their release, masters are commanded to furnish them liberally from their flocks, threshing floors, and winepresses, a command underscored by the remembrance of Israel's own servitude in Egypt and God's redemptive act. If a servant, out of love for their master and household, chooses not to depart, they are to undergo a ritual ear-piercing, signifying their perpetual service. The chapter emphasizes that releasing them should not be considered burdensome, as their six years of service were highly valuable. Lastly, the chapter outlines regulations for the firstborn male animals of herds and flocks, which are to be sanctified to the LORD. These firstlings are not to be worked or shorn but eaten annually before the LORD by the household in the chosen place. If a firstborn animal has a blemish, it is not to be sacrificed but may be eaten within the gates by anyone, clean or unclean, similar to common game, with the strict prohibition against consuming its blood, which must be poured upon the ground.

Core Concepts

  • The Year of ReleaseA divinely ordained sabbatical year occurring every seven years, requiring the forgiveness of debts owed by fellow Israelites, emphasizing God's ownership and provision.
  • Compassion for the PoorA central theme, commanding Israelites to open their hands wide, lend generously, and not harden their hearts towards their needy brethren, acknowledging the perpetual presence of the poor.
  • Release of ServantsHebrew men and women sold into servitude are to be freed after six years, and masters are commanded to send them away well-furnished, remembering Israel's own bondage and redemption.
  • Perpetual ServitudeA provision allowing a Hebrew servant to choose to remain with their master permanently, signified by an ear-piercing ritual, if they love their master and are well-treated.
  • Sanctification of FirstlingsAll firstborn male animals of the herd and flock are to be set apart for the LORD, not to be worked or shorn, and consumed annually before God, with specific rules for blemished animals.
  • Divine Blessing and ObedienceThe chapter repeatedly links obedience to these commandments, particularly regarding generosity and release, with promises of abundant blessings from the LORD, including prosperity and dominion over nations.
  • Prohibition of Blood ConsumptionA reiteration of the law that the blood of animals, even those eaten as common food or firstlings, must not be consumed but poured out upon the ground.