Deuteronomy 15:2 NIV

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-6

EXPOSITION THE YEAR OF RELEASE FOR THE BENEFIT OF DEBTORS AND THE EMANCIPATION OF HEBREW SLAVES . THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN OF CATTLE . To the prescription of a tithe for the needy there is added a regulation for the behalf of debtors. The Israelites were not only to help the poor, but they were to refrain from what would be a hardship and oppression to them. Debtors, consequently, were not to be deprived of the benefit of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-6

Divine checks on human greed. In this paragraph the institution of the sabbatical year is presupposed (of. Exodus 23:9-13 ; Le Exodus 25:2-7 ). During this year the land was to rest, and it would doubtless be conducive to after-fruitfulness to give the soil this respite, by letting it lie fallow every seventh year, for at this time the effect of the rotation of crops was unknown. £ We by no means affirm that such was the only reason for the appointment; yet nothing hinders us from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-6

The year of forgiveness. We have here what we may call the " poor law " of Palestine. The poor were to be regarded as "brethren," they were to be treated as neighbors, as members of the one society. Money was to be lent them to give them a start in life ( Deuteronomy 15:7-11 ), and if they were unable to repay it by the seventh or sabbatic year, they were to be forgiven the debt, "to the end that there be no poor among you". Usury was thus discouraged between brethren. Loans were to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-11

A bulwark against cupidity. Material prosperity was the only form of blessing that had attractive charm for the Hebrews. Neither mind nor conscience was yet sufficiently developed to value higher good. God had to raise them by slow and successive steps. Material prosperity had its dangerous side. It might foster pride, self-sufficiency, a sense of overweening superiority, and might lead to tyrannous treatment of others. Or, used in devout recognition of God, it might give scope for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 15:2

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:2

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

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

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