Deuteronomy 24:5-15

5 "When a man is newly married, he is not to be drafted into military service or any other public duty; he is to be excused from duty for one year, so that he can stay at home and make his wife happy.
6 "When you lend someone something, you are not to take as security his millstones used for grinding his grain. This would take away the family's means of preparing food to stay alive.
7 "If any of you kidnap Israelites and make them your slaves or sell them into slavery, you are to be put to death. In this way your nation will get rid of this evil. 1
8 "When you are suffering from a dreaded skin disease, be sure to do exactly what the levitical priests tell you; follow the instructions that I have given them. 2
9 Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam as you were coming from Egypt. 3
10 "When you lend someone something, do not go into his house to get the garment he is going to give you as security; 4
11 wait outside and let him bring it to you himself.
12 If he is poor, do not keep it overnight;
13 return it to him each evening, so that he can have it to sleep in. Then he will be grateful, and the Lord your God will be pleased with you.
14 "Do not cheat poor and needy hired servants, whether they are Israelites or foreigners living in one of your towns. 5
15 Each day before sunset pay them for that day's work; they need the money and have counted on getting it. If you do not pay them, they will cry out against you to the Lord, and you will be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 24:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 24

This chapter contains various laws concerning divorces, De 24:1-4; the discharge of a newly married man from war and business, De 24:5; about taking pledges, De 24:6,10-13; man stealing, De 24:7; the plague of leprosy, De 24:8,9; and giving servants their hire in due time, De 24:14,15; concerning doing justice in capital cases, and towards the stranger, fatherless, and widow, De 24:16-18; and of charity to the poor, in allowing them the forgotten sheaf, and the gleanings of their oliveyards and vineyards, De 24:19-22.

Cross References 5

  • 1. 24.7Exodus 21.16.
  • 2. 24.8Leviticus 13.1--14.54.
  • 3. 24.9Numbers 12.10.
  • 4. 24.10-13Exodus 22.26, 27.
  • 5. 24.14, 15Leviticus 19.13.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. make his wife happy; [or] be happy with his wife.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.