Deuteronomy 15:18-23

18 It shall not seem hard to you, when you let him go free from you; for to the double of the hire of a hireling has he served you six years: and the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.

19 All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God: you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.

20 You shall eat it before the LORD your God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, you and your household.

21 If it have any blemish, [as if it be] lame or blind, any ill blemish whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

22 You shall eat it within your gates: the unclean and the clean [shall eat it] alike, as the gazelle, and as the hart.

23 Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground as water.

Deuteronomy 15:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 15

This chapter treats of a release of debts every seventh year, to which a blessing is promised if attended to, De 15:1-6, which seventh year of release should not hinder lending to a poor man in distress, even though it was nigh at hand, De 15:7-11 and of letting servants go free, whether manservant or maidservant, at the end of six years' servitude, De 15:12-15 but if unwilling to go, and desirous of staying, must have his ear bored through with an awl, and serve to the year of jubilee, De 15:16-18 and of sanctifying and eating the firstlings of the herd and flock where the Lord directs, De 15:19-23.