Deuteronomy 15:17-23

17 stick an awln through his ear into the door; he will be your slave for life. Also do this to a female slave.

18 Do not think of it as a hard thing when you let your slaves go free. After all, they served you six years and did twice the work of a hired person. The Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.

19 Save all the first male animals born to your herds and flocks. They are for the Lord your God. Do not work the first calf born to your oxen, and do not cut off the wool from the first lamb born to your sheep.

20 Each year you and your family are to eat these animals in the presence of the Lord your God, in the place he will choose to be worshiped.

21 If an animal is crippled or blind or has something else wrong, do not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.

22 But you may eat that animal in your own town. Both clean and unclean people may eat it, as they would eat a gazelle or a deer.

23 But don't eat its blood; pour it out on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy 15:17-23 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.