Deuteronomy 23:16

16 "He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; 1you shall not mistreat him.

Deuteronomy 23:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:16

He shall dwell in thee, [even] among you
This seems to confirm the sense of it, being a stranger, a: proselyte servant that is here spoken of, since the law provides for his dwelling among the Israelites:

in that place he shall choose, in one of thy gates, where it liketh
him best:
he was not to be detained by the person that took him up in his own house, or be obliged to dwell in any certain place under, a restraint, but he might take up his abode in any of the cities of Israel, which would be most for his good, profit, and advantage:

thou shalt not oppress him;
by words, as the Targum of Jonathan adds,

``calling him a fugitive servant, or by any opprobrious name.''

Deuteronomy 23:16 In-Context

14 "Since the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to defeat your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy; and He must not see anything indecent among you or He will turn away from you
15 "You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.
16 "He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him.
17 "None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute.
18 "You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Exodus 22:21; Proverbs 22:22

Footnotes 1

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.