Deuteronomy 15:8

8 But you shall certainly open your hand for him, and {you shall willingly lend} [to] him enough to meet his need, {whatever it is}.

Deuteronomy 15:8 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:8

But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him
And give him bountifully and liberally; in order to which the heart must be first opened, the affections moved, and a willing mind disposed to give generously:

and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he
wanteth:
enough to answer his present exigencies, but not to cause him to abound, or to supply him with things needless and superfluous.

Deuteronomy 15:8 In-Context

6 When Yahweh your God has blessed you, [just] as he {promised} to you, then you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow [from them], and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

7 If [there] is a poor [person] among you from [among] one of your brothers in one of your {towns} that Yahweh your God [is] giving to you, you shall not harden your heart, and you shall not shut your hand toward {your brother who is poor}.

8 But you shall certainly open your hand for him, and {you shall willingly lend} [to] him enough to meet his need, {whatever it is}.

9 {Take care} so that there will not be {a thought of wickedness} in your heart, {saying}, 'The seventh year, the year of the remission of debt is near,' {and you view your needy neighbor with hostility}, and [so] you [do] not give to him, and he might cry [out] against you to Yahweh, and {you would incur guilt against yourself}.

10 By all means you must give to him, and {you must not be discontented} at your giving to him, because on account of this [very] thing, Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work and {in all that you undertake}.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "lending you shall lend"
• [b] Literally "whatever is lacking for him"