Deuteronomy 15:4

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 15:4

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 15:4

There shall be no poor - That is, comparatively; see Deuteronomy 15:11 . 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 15:4

Save when there shall be no poor among you ; rather, only that there shall be no poor among you ; q.d; this ordinance is not intended to prevent creditors seeking the payment of their just debts, but only to prevent there being poor in the land. The reason assigned is that the Lord would greatly bless them in the land which he had given them, so that the creditor would be no loser by refraining from exacting his debt from his brother in the seventh year. 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

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