Deuteronomy 23:16

16 Let him live wherever he wishes within the protective gates of your city. Don't take advantage of him.

Deuteronomy 23:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:16

He shall dwell in thee, [even] among you
This seems to confirm the sense of it, being a stranger, a: proselyte servant that is here spoken of, since the law provides for his dwelling among the Israelites:

in that place he shall choose, in one of thy gates, where it liketh
him best:
he was not to be detained by the person that took him up in his own house, or be obliged to dwell in any certain place under, a restraint, but he might take up his abode in any of the cities of Israel, which would be most for his good, profit, and advantage:

thou shalt not oppress him;
by words, as the Targum of Jonathan adds,

``calling him a fugitive servant, or by any opprobrious name.''

Deuteronomy 23:16 In-Context

14 God, your God, strolls through your camp; he's present to deliver you and give you victory over your enemies. Keep your camp holy; don't permit anything indecent or offensive in God's eyes
15 Don't return a runaway slave to his master; he's come to you for refuge.
16 Let him live wherever he wishes within the protective gates of your city. Don't take advantage of him.
17 No daughter of Israel is to become a sacred prostitute; and no son of Israel is to become a sacred prostitute.
18 And don't bring the fee of a sacred whore or the earnings of a priest-pimp to the house of God, your God, to pay for any vow - they are both an abomination to God, your God.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.