Deuteronomy 15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 15

In this chapter Moses gives orders, I. Concerning the release of debts, every seventh year (Deut. 15:1-6), with a caution that this should be no hindrance to charitable lending, Deut. 15:7-11. II. Concerning the release of servants after seven years? service, Deut. 15:12-18. III. Concerning the sanctification of the firstlings of cattle to God, Deut. 15:19-23 read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-11

Here is, I. A law for the relief of poor debtors, such (we may suppose) as were insolvent. Every seventh year was a year of release, in which the ground rested from being tilled and servants were discharged from their services; and, among other acts of grace, this was one, that those who had borrowed money, and had not been able to pay it before, should this year be released from it; and though, if they were able, they were afterwards bound in conscience to repay it, yet thenceforth the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Here is, I. A repetition of the law that had been given concerning Hebrew servants who had sold themselves for servants, or were sold by their parents through extreme poverty, or were sold by the court of judgment for some crime committed. The law was, 1. That they should serve but six years, and in the seventh should go out free, Deut. 15:12. Compare Exod. 21:2. And, if the year of jubilee happened before they served out their time, that would be their discharge. God's Israel were a free... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:19-29

Here is, 1. A repetition of the law concerning the firstlings of their cattle, that, if they were males, they were to be sanctified to the Lord (Deut. 15:19), in remembrance of, and in thankfulness for, the sparing of the first-born of Israel, when the first-born of the Egyptians, both of man and beast, were slain by the destroying angel (Exod. 13:2, 15); on the eighth day it was to be given to God ( Exod. 22:30), and to be divided between the priest and the altar, Num. 18:17, 18. 2. An... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 15

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 15 This chapter treats of a release of debts every seventh year, to which a blessing is promised if attended to, Deuteronomy 15:1 , which seventh year of release should not hinder lending to a poor man in distress, even though it was nigh at hand, Deuteronomy 15:7 and of letting servants go free, whether manservant or maidservant, at the end of six years' servitude, Deuteronomy 15:12 but if unwilling to go, and desirous of staying, must have his ear bored... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1

At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. Not of servants, for they were not to be dismissed from their service until they had served six years, as is directed to in a following law; for if they were to be set free whenever a sabbatical year came, they might be discharged when they had not served more than a year, or than half a year, or than a month or two. Indeed when the year of jubilee intervened, they were released be it at what time it would; but not in a sabbatical... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:2

And this is the manner of the release ,.... Or the rules to be observed in making it: every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it ; that is, forgive the debt, or free the debtor from any obligation to payment. Some think this was only a release of debts for this year, in which there was no ploughing nor sowing, and so a poor man could not be in any circumstances to pay his debts, but might be exacted afterwards; but it rather seems to be a full release, so as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:3

Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again ,.... Either on the seventh year, or after it: but that which is thine with thy brother, thine hand shall release ; a debt that lies between them, where the one is the creditor, and the other debtor, the creditor shall freely and fully forgive the debtor. So those only are released or forgiven by the Lord who are his own, whom he has reserved for himself, or chosen to everlasting life; who are interested in the covenant of his grace, one article... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:4

Save when there shall be no poor among you ,.... Then such a law could not take place, there would be no debts to be released; for this was never designed to screen rich persons from the payment of their just debts, or whoever were in a capacity of so doing, only such as were really poor, and unable to pay; and it supposes that this might sometimes be the case, that there were none poor in Israel, or needed the benefit of such a law; and, according to the Targum of Jonathan, it is suggested... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:5

In his word, and by his prophets; this being the case, there would be no more poor among them, or however they would be so blessed of God, that they would be capable of releasing the debts of the poor, without hurting themselves and their families: to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day ; a phrase often used to put them in mind of the commands of God, and the necessity of keeping them, their temporal happiness depending thereon. read more

Group of Brands