Deuteronomio 15:16

16 »Pero supongamos que tu siervo dice: “No te dejaré”, porque se ha encariñado contigo y con tu familia, y le ha ido bien en tu casa.

Deuteronomio 15:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:16

And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from
thee
Out of his house, nor quit his service:

because he loveth thee and thine house;
his master and his family, and so loath to leave them, but chooses rather to stay with them than have his liberty; hence the Jews say ^F11, if his master has not a wife and children, his ear is not to be bored:

because he is well with thee; lives well with him,
is well used by him, wants for nothing, and enjoys peace and quietness, and has everything to make him happy as such a state will admit of, and with the which he is well contented, and highly pleased. This is an emblem of the cheerful and constant obedience of the people of Christ to him their master, flowing from love to him; whom they love above all persons and things, with all their heart and soul, and his house also, the place of his worship, his ordinances, truths, ministers and children; and therefore choose to be where they are, finding that they are there well used, fare well, having bread enough and to spare, spiritual provisions in plenty; are well clothed with the righteousness of Christ, have the good company of the saints and excellent in the earth, in whom is all their delight; and, above all, the presence of their Lord and master, and the smiles of his countenance.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Maimon. in Misn. Kiddushin, c. 1. sect. 2.

Deuteronomio 15:16 In-Context

14 Sé generoso con él y regálale como despedida algo de tus rebaños, de tus granos y de tus vinos. Dale parte de la abundante riqueza con la que el Señor
tu Dios te haya bendecido.

15 ¡Recuerda que una vez tú fuiste esclavo en la tierra de Egipto y que el Señor
tu Dios te liberó! Por esa razón, te doy este mandato.

16 »Pero supongamos que tu siervo dice: “No te dejaré”, porque se ha encariñado contigo y con tu familia, y le ha ido bien en tu casa.

17 En ese caso, toma un punzón y perfórale el lóbulo de la oreja contra la puerta. Entonces será tu siervo por el resto de su vida. Haz lo mismo con tus siervas.

18 »No pienses que liberar a tus siervos es una gran pérdida. Recuerda que, durante seis años, te brindaron un servicio que vale el doble del salario de un obrero contratado, y el Señor
tu Dios te bendecirá en todo lo que hagas.