Deuteronomy 23:16

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 23:16

He shall dwell in thee, even among you ,.... This seems to confirm the sense of it, being a stranger, a: proselyte servant that is here spoken of, since the law provides for his dwelling among the Israelites: in that place he shall choose, in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best : he was not to be detained by the person that took him up in his own house, or be obliged to dwell in any certain place under, a restraint, but he might take up his abode in any of the cities of Israel,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:15-16

A slave that had escaped from his master was not to be given up, but allowed to dwell in the land, in whatever part he might choose. The reference is to a foreign slave who had fled from the harsh treatment of his master to seek refuge in Israel, as is evident from the expression, בְאַחַד שְׁעָרֵיךְ , "in one of thy gates," i . e . in any part of thy land. Onkelos, עֲבִד עַמְמִין , "a slave of the Gentiles." His master; the word used is the plural adonim , masters.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:15-16

Israel's land a refuge for the oppressed. (For " the Mosaic treatment of slavery, see Homily on Deuteronomy 15:12-18 .) To the features of his legislation thereon this must be added that, as soon as ever a foreign slave set foot on Hebrew soil, he was free. Israel's land was for him the land of liberty! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:15-16

The Hebrew fugitive law. We have here a most remarkable law, entirely in the interests of the slave, and showing conclusively that no such thing as property in mankind was recognized in the theocracy. When a slave ran away, the person to whom he repaired is directed to harbor him and give him a place with his servants, but not to restore him to his former master. Here, then, is a fugitive law such as permitted no such monster as a slave-hunter to defile the land of Palestine. I. THE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:15-16

Sympathy for the oppressed. It is supposed that oppressive forms of slavery existed among the neighboring nations; and it might be anticipated that the oppressed would seek asylum among the people of God. The social atmosphere was to be that of healthful freedom, which is fatal to inhuman thraldom. I. WE SEE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP IN ITS EXTREME LIMITS . One is a master; one is a slave. One has risen to power; one has sunk into weakness. Humanity has immense capacity for... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 23:15-16

The case in question is that of a slave who fled from a pagan master to the holy land. It is of course assumed that the refugee was not flying from justice, but only from the tyranny of his lord. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 23:15-16

Deuteronomy 23:15-16. The servant which is escaped from his master It seems, from the connection, that this has a particular relation to times of war, when heathen soldiers or servants might desert and come over to the Israelites with intent to turn proselytes to the true religion. In which case, they were neither to send them back, and expose them to the severity of their heathen masters, nor use them hardly themselves, but permit them to live peaceably, and with full enjoyment of all the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:1-25

A holy nation (23:1-25)Various laws prohibited foreigners, eunuchs and people born through immorality from joining fully in Israel’s public worship. This discouraged Israelites from copying heathen practices or marrying heathen people. At the same time it impressed upon them the holiness God required (23:1-8). Holiness also demanded high standards of cleanliness in the camp, particularly in matters concerning discharges from sexual organs and treatment of human excrement (9-14).Other features... read more

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