Deuteronomy 15:6

6 For the LORD your God will bless you, 1as he promised you, and 2you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and 3you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.

Deuteronomy 15:6 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:6

For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee
He is faithful that has promised, and he always gives the blessing he promises according to the nature of the promise; if absolute, and without conditions, he gives it without respect to any; but if conditional, as the promises of temporal good things to Israel were, he gives according as the condition is performed:

and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shall not borrow;
signifying they should be so rich and increased in goods, and worldly substance, that they should be able to lend to their neighbouring nations round about, but should stand in no need of borrowing of any of them. This is sometimes said of the language of these people, the Hebrew language, that it lends to all, but borrows of none, being an original primitive language; see ( Deuteronomy 28:12 )

and thou shalt reign over many nations:
which was fulfilled in the times of David and Solomon:

but they shall not reign over thee;
that is, as long as they observed the commands of God; otherwise, when they did not, they were carried captive into other countries, and other people reigned over them, as at this day.

Deuteronomy 15:6 In-Context

4 But there will be no poor among you; for the LORD will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess--
5 if only you will strictly obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today.
6 For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.
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, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother,
8 but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Deuteronomy 7:13; Exodus 23:25
  • 2. Deuteronomy 28:12, 44
  • 3. Deuteronomy 28:13; 1 Kings 4:21, 24; Ezra 4:20; [Proverbs 22:7]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.