Deuteronomy 15:9-19

9 Do not refuse to lend them something, just because the year when debts are canceled is near. Do not let such an evil thought enter your mind. If you refuse to make the loan, they will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be held guilty.

10 Give to them freely and unselfishly, and the Lord will bless you in everything you do.

11 There will always be some Israelites who are poor and in need, and so I command you to be generous to them. ¹

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. ²

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. ³

Deuteronomy 15:9-19 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. 15.11Matthew 26.11;Mark 14.7;John 12.8.
• 2. 15.12-18Leviticus 25.39-46.
• 3. 15.19Exodus 13.12.

Footnotes

• [a]. sell themselves; [or] are sold.
• [b]. at half . . . servants; [or] and have worked twice as hard as hired servants.