Deuteronomio 15:2

2 Y ésta es la manera de la remisión: todo aquel que hizo préstamo de su mano, con que adeudó a su prójimo, lo soltará; no lo demandará más a su prójimo, o a su hermano; porque la remisión del SEÑOR es pregonada

Deuteronomio 15:2 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:2

And this is the manner of the release
Or the rules to be observed in making it:

every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it;
that is, forgive the debt, or free the debtor from any obligation to payment. Some think this was only a release of debts for this year, in which there was no ploughing nor sowing, and so a poor man could not be in any circumstances to pay his debts, but might be exacted afterwards; but it rather seems to be a full release, so as the payment of them might not be demanded, neither this year nor afterwards; indeed, if a person afterwards should be in a capacity to pay his debts, he would be obliged, in conscience, duty, and honour, to pay them, though no reserve was made in this law, which nowhere appears:

he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother:
he might receive it, if payment was offered, but he might not demand it, or sue for it; or give his neighbour or brother, whether in a natural or religious sense, any trouble about it: the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it,

``his brother, an Israelite;''

one of the same nation and religion with him, though he might not be related in the bonds of consanguinity:

because it is called the Lord's release;
appointed and commanded by him, and was for his honour and glory, as a God gracious and merciful to the poor, and beneficent to those creditors; and which was proclaimed in his name, by the civil magistrate, according to his order; so the Targum of Jonathan,

``because the house of judgment, or the sanhedrim, proclaimed it a release before the Lord.''

Now this was typical of a release of debts, or of forgiveness of sins, which is an act of God's grace through Christ, and for his sake. Sins are called debts, not what men owe to God, for then it would be right to commit them, and they might be committed with impunity, yea, with praise, since it would be doing what is fit and right, and well pleasing to God; but men are debtors to fulfil the law, and in case of failure, or a breach of it, are bound to the debt of punishment; and these debts are very numerous, and men are incapable of paying them: and by a release of these is meant not a liberty of sinning, nor a freedom from the being or bondage of sin, but from the guilt of it, and from obligation to punishment for it; and is properly the forgiveness of sin, which is expressed by various phrases, as a non-imputation, a non-remembrance, a covering, blotting out, and removing of sin, and here typically a release of debts; see ( Matthew 6:12 ) , and God only can make it; he is the creditor, sin is committed against him, and he only can forgive it, which he does freely, fully, and at once, see ( Luke 7:41 Luke 7:42 ) .

Deuteronomio 15:2 In-Context

1 Al cabo de los siete años harás remisión

2 Y ésta es la manera de la remisión: todo aquel que hizo préstamo de su mano, con que adeudó a su prójimo, lo soltará; no lo demandará más a su prójimo, o a su hermano; porque la remisión del SEÑOR es pregonada

3 Del extranjero demandarás el reintegro; mas lo que tu hermano tuviere tuyo, lo soltará tu mano

4 para que así no haya en ti mendigo; porque el SEÑOR te bendecirá con abundancia en la tierra que Dios te da por heredad para que la poseas

5 si empero escuchares fielmente la voz del SEÑOR tu Dios, para guardar y cumplir todos estos mandamientos que yo te mando hoy