Deuteronomy 15:1-2 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-12

The Lord's release. The sabbatic year was in many respects a year of mercy to the poor. The beautiful name given to it here—"the Lord's release"—suggests gospel ideas. It finds its higher counterpart in that "acceptable year of the Lord" ( Luke 4:19 ), which is the true "Lord's release." Christ came "to preach the gospel to the poor," and "to preach deliverance to the captives " ( Luke 4:18 ). This "accepted time" is the period of God's forbearance with our sins ( 2 Corinthians 5:19... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:2

Creditor ; literally, master of the loan of his hand , equivalent to owner of what his hand has lent to another. Comp. the expression, "what was laid in his hand" (Le Deuteronomy 5:21 ; Authorized Version, "in fellowship," Le Deuteronomy 6:2 ); and Nehemiah 10:32 , "the debt of every hand" (Authorized Version, "the exaction of every debt"). Neighbor ; here, fellow-Israelite . Exact it of his neighbor ; literally, press or urge his neighbor , i . e . to pay. It is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 15:1-11

The year of release is no doubt identical with the sabbatical year of the earlier legislation (Exodus 23:10 ff, and Leviticus 25:2 ff), the command of the older legislation being here amplified. The release was probably for the year, not total and final, and had reference only to loans lent because of poverty (compare Deuteronomy 15:4, Deuteronomy 15:7). Yet even so the law was found to be too stringent for the avarice of the people, because it was one of those which the rabbis “made of none... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 15:1

Deuteronomy 15:1. At the end of every seven years When the seventh year comes, which is the end or last of the seven, Deuteronomy 15:9; Deuteronomy 15:12. This termed here the year of release, was the sabbatical year spoken of Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:4. The wisdom of the Hebrew constitution provided for a release of all debts and servitudes every seventh year, that the Jewish nation might not moulder away from so great a number of free subjects into the condition of slaves: see on... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 15:2

Deuteronomy 15:2. Every creditor that lendeth aught shall release it This cannot be meant of money lent to those who had borrowed it for the purchase of lands, trade, or other improvements, and who were able to pay; for nothing could have been more absurd than to have extinguished such debts, whereby the borrower was enriched. But it must be understood of money lent to an Israelite who was in poor circumstances, as appears from verse 4. According to this law, every poor Israelite who had... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-18

The year of release (15:1-18)At the end of every seven years all Israelites were to forgive any debts that other Israelites owed them. They were to consider themselves one big family where no one should be driven into poverty or refused a loan in time of hardship, even if the year of release was approaching. God would reward those Israelites who were generous to their fellow Israelites. This law of release did not affect debts owed by foreigners. In those cases normal business procedures... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 15:1

seven years = when the seventh year has arrived. Compare Exodus 23:10 , Exodus 23:11 .Leviticus 25:3 , Leviticus 25:4 . release. Compare Exodus 23:10 , Exodus 23:11 .Leviticus 25:6 , Leviticus 25:7 . In Ex. and Lev. rest for the land. In Deut, release for the debtor. The noun, shamat, only here and Deuteronomy 31:10 . The verb, only in Exodus 23:11 = to let lie down. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Deuteronomy 15:1

This chapter deals with the year of release, or the Sabbatical Year, and should be compared with Leviticus 25."At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because Jehovah's release hath been proclaimed. Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it: but whatsoever of thine is with thy brother thy hand shall release. Howbeit... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 15:2

Ver. 2. Every creditor that lendeth—shall release— This cannot well be meant of money lent to those who were well able to pay; for nothing could have been more absurd than to have extinguished debts whereby the borrower was enriched: but it must be meant of money lent to an Israelite who was in poor circumstances, as appears from ver. 4. Le Clerc, with others, seems to understand the precept thus: that they were only to forbear to demand it this year; for, as there was no sowing or produce of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 15:1

1. At the end of every seven years—during the last of the seven, that is, the sabbatical year (Exodus 21:2; Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:4; Jeremiah 34:14). read more