Deuteronomy 15:7-10

7 "If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, 1you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother,
8 but 2you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
9 Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, 'The seventh year, the year of release is near,' and your 3eye look grudgingly[a] on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he 4cry to the LORD against you, and 5you be guilty of sin.
10 You shall give to him freely, and 6your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because 7for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.

Deuteronomy 15:7-10 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.

Cross References 7

  • 1. [1 John 3:17]
  • 2. Leviticus 25:35; [Matthew 5:42; Luke 6:34, 35]
  • 3. Deuteronomy 28:54, 56; Proverbs 23:6; Proverbs 28:22; Matthew 20:15
  • 4. Deuteronomy 24:15
  • 5. [Matthew 25:41, 42]
  • 6. [2 Corinthians 9:7]
  • 7. Proverbs 28:27; See Deuteronomy 14:29

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or be evil; also verse 10
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.