Deuteronomy 24:15

15 You are to pay him his wages the day he earns them, before sunset; for he is poor and looks forward to being paid. Otherwise he will cry out against you to ADONAI, and it will be your sin.

Deuteronomy 24:15 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:15

At his day thou shalt give [him] his hire
At the close of the day, when his work is done, the hire agreed for must be paid him; and, by the same rule, all such that were hired by the week, month, or year, were to have their wages paid them at the day their time was up:

neither shall the sun go down upon it;
it was to be paid before sun setting, or at it; see ( Leviticus 19:13 ) ;

for he [is] poor, and setteth his heart upon it;
being poor, he cannot wait any longer for the payment of it; his personal and family wants are such as require immediate payment; and besides, he has been eagerly expecting it, and earnestly desiring it, that he may satisfy the craving necessities of himself and family; and therefore it would be a great balk and disappointment to him to have his wages detained:

lest he cry against thee to the Lord;
having none to apply unto but him, who is the patron of the poor and needy, not being able to help himself, nor having interest in any to interpose on his behalf; and his cry, and the cry of his hire too, enter into the ears of the Lord of hosts, and is regarded by him, ( James 5:4 ) ;

and it be sin unto thee:
be imputed to him, the guilt charged on him, and punishment inflicted for it.

Deuteronomy 24:15 In-Context

13 rather, you must restore the pledged item at sunset; then he will go to sleep wearing his garment and bless you. This will be an upright deed of yours before ADONAI your God.

14 "You are not to exploit a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether one of your brothers or a foreigner living in your land in your town.

15 You are to pay him his wages the day he earns them, before sunset; for he is poor and looks forward to being paid. Otherwise he will cry out against you to ADONAI, and it will be your sin.

16 "Fathers are not to be executed for the children, nor are children to be executed for the fathers; every person will be executed for his own sin.

17 "You are not to deprive the foreigner or the orphan of the justice which is his due, and you are not to take a widow's clothing as collateral for a loan.