Deuteronomy 15:18-23

18 "It shall not seem hard to you when you set him free, for he has given you six years with double the service of a hired man; so the LORD your God will bless you in whatever * you do.

19 "¹You shall consecrate to the LORD your God all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock; you shall not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.

20 "²You and your household shall eat it every year before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses.

21 "³But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

22 "You shall eat it within your gates; ⁴the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as ⁵a gazelle or a deer.

23 "Only ⁶you shall not eat its blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy 15:18-23 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

• 1. Exodus 13:2, 12
• 2. Leviticus 7:15-18; Deuteronomy 12:5; Deuteronomy 14:23
• 3. Leviticus 22:19-25; Deuteronomy 17:1
• 4. Deut 12:15, 16, 22
• 5. Deut 12:15, 16, 22
• 6. Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26; Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 12:16, 23

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "free from you"
• [b] Lit "double the amount"
• [c] Lit "blemish"
• [d] Lit "blemish"