Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:15-25

Orders are here given about five several things which have no relation one to another:? I. The land of Israel is here made a sanctuary, or city of refuge, for servants that were wronged and abused by their masters, and fled thither for shelter from the neighbouring countries, Deut. 23:15, 16. We cannot suppose that they were hereby obliged to give entertainment to all the unprincipled men that ran from service; Israel needed not (as Rome at first did) to be thus peopled. But, 1. They must not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:21

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God ,.... Which must be of things in a man's power to perform, and of what are lawful to be done, and according to the mind and will of God revealed in his word, and agreeably to the manner of worship prescribed by him; as that he will offer such a sacrifice, a freewill offering to him, and the like, besides what he was bound to do, or give such and such things for the repair of the sanctuary, or for the relief of the poor; See Gill on Numbers... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:22

But if thou shalt forbear to vow ,.... That a man might do, though there was ability; it was expected indeed that men should vow and bring freewill offerings in proportion to their ability; whether they were of the greater sort, of the herd and flock, or of fowls, or even of fine flour, these were acceptable to the Lord: but if they were not vowed and brought: it shall be no sin in thee ; no charge of guilt be brought or punishment laid; it should not be reckoned a crime, nor be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:23

That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform ,.... Which were in their power to perform and lawful to do; and this is observed to make them watchful and cautious, and not be rash in making vows, since, when once they were made, an exact and rigid performance of them was expected; see Ecclesiastes 5:4 , even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth ; be it what it will, as to the matter of it, it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 23:21

When thou shalt vow, etc. - See on Numbers 30:2 ; (note), etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 23:21

Verse 21 21.When thou shalt vow a vow. The rule of vowing also pertains to the keeping of the Third Commandment, since, by vowing, men exercise themselves in the sanctification of God’s name, and to promise anything to God is a kind of swearing. For what between men is called a covenant or agreement, with respect to God is a vow; and therefore it may be fitly called a sacred engagement, which not only is made with God as its witness, but which is contracted with God Himself. We have elsewhere... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 23:22

Verse 22 22.But if thou shalt forbear to vow. He confirms what he said, that they would be guilty before God who have broken their promises to Him, because no necessity compelled them to promise, and consequently that their guilt was doubled, inasmuch as they chose rather to sin when it was at their option not to vow. Thus Peter, reproving the faithlessness of Ananias and Sapphira, says, (314) "Who hath compelled you to lie to the Holy Ghost? was not the field your own, which you might have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:15-23

Various precepts No very close connection exists between the precepts in these verses, yet they are variously related, and suggest by their juxtaposition lessons of importance. We have— I. A WORD SPOKEN IN THE INTERESTS OF LIBERTY . ( Deuteronomy 23:15 , Deuteronomy 23:16 .) 1. The fugitive slave is not to be given back to his master. The case is that of a slave escaping from a heathen master. The spirit of the Mosaic Law is wholly opposed to slavery. This... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:17-25

Money-making must be above suspicion. We have in these verses an excellent lesson upon mercantile morality. There are too many people in this world who are not at all particular how money is made, if only it be made. "The wages of iniquity" are as welcome to them as to Balaam. But it is plain from these verses that the Lord does regard the way money is won, and will not handle what has come licentiously himself, nor give any countenance to his people in doing so. I. MONEY MADE BY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:19-25

Certain civil rights and duties are here prescribed. read more

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