Deuteronomy 15:12-22

12 "If any Israelites, male or female, sell themselves to you as slaves, you are to release them after they have served you for six years. When the seventh year comes, you must let them go free. 1
13 When you set them free, do not send them away empty-handed.
14 Give to them generously from what the Lord has blessed you with - sheep, grain, and wine.
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God set you free; that is why I am now giving you this command.
16 "But your slave may not want to leave; he may love you and your family and be content to stay.
17 Then take him to the door of your house and there pierce his ear; he will then be your slave for life. Treat your female slave in the same way.
18 Do not be resentful when you set slaves free; after all, they have served you for six years at half the cost of hired servants. Do this, and the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.
19 "Set aside for the Lord your God all the first-born males of your cattle and sheep; don't use any of these cattle for work and don't shear any of these sheep. 2
20 Each year you and your family are to eat them in the Lord's presence at the one place of worship.
21 But if there is anything wrong with the animals, if they are crippled or blind or have any other serious defect, you must not sacrifice them to the Lord your God.
22 You may eat such animals at home. All of you, whether ritually clean or unclean, may eat them, just as you eat deer or antelope.

Deuteronomy 15:12-22 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 2

  • 1. 15.12-18Leviticus 25.39-46.
  • 2. 15.19Exodus 13.12.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. sell themselves; [or] are sold.
  • [b]. at half . . . servants; [or] and have worked twice as hard as hired servants.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.