ScriptureDepth's study of Deuteronomy 15
“If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, and serves you six years; then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.”
Deuteronomy 15:12
Moses speaks to the Israelites, commanding them to release Hebrew servants after six years of service, which initiates their freedom in the seventh year.
What Deuteronomy 15 is about
At the end of every seven years, creditors must cancel debts owed to them by neighbors and brothers (vv. 1-3). The text promises that if the people obey Yahweh, they will experience abundance and will lend to many nations (vv. 4-6). When poor brothers are present, the people are commanded not to harden their hearts but to open their hands and lend them what they need (vv. 7-11). Hebrew servants must be released in the seventh year, and they must not be sent away empty-handed (vv. 12-14). The people are reminded that they were once slaves in Egypt and must act accordingly (vv. 15). If a servant chooses to stay, they shall mark their ear with an awl (vv. 16-17). The firstborn males of herds and flocks must be dedicated to Yahweh and not worked or sheared (vv. 19-20). Disabilities in the firstborn do not allow for them to be sacrificed (vv. 21-22).
Yahweh commands the people to release debts, care for the poor, and dedicate their firstborn to Him.
Deuteronomy 15 at a glance
- Deuteronomy 15:1–3Debt Cancellation Every Seven Years
- Deuteronomy 15:4–6Promise of Abundance
- Deuteronomy 15:7–11Generosity to the Poor
- Deuteronomy 15:12–18Releasing Hebrew Servants
- Deuteronomy 15:19–23Dedication of Firstborn Animals
Key verse: Deuteronomy 15:12
One thing to notice
Verses 12-18 detail the treatment of Hebrew servants, focusing on their release after six years. The text recalls their past as slaves in Egypt, where they were redeemed by Yahweh, providing context for their servitude.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Deuteronomy 15 (WEB)
Debt Cancellation Every Seven Years Deuteronomy 15:1–3
1Verse 1. At the end of every seven years, you shall cancel debts. 2Verse 2. This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother; because Yahweh’s release has been proclaimed. 3Verse 3. Of a foreigner you may require it; but whatever of yours is with your brother, your hand shall release.
Promise of Abundance Deuteronomy 15:4–6
4Verse 4. However there shall be no poor with you (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it) 5Verse 5. if only you diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you today. 6Verse 6. For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.
Generosity to the Poor Deuteronomy 15:7–11
7Verse 7. If a poor man, one of your brothers, is with you within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; 8Verse 8. but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks. 9Verse 9. Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand”; and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you.
10Verse 10. You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to. 11Verse 11. For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.
Releasing Hebrew Servants Deuteronomy 15:12–18
12Verse 12. If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, and serves you six years; then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13Verse 13. When you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty. 14Verse 14. You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press. As Yahweh your God has blessed you, you shall give to him. 15Verse 15. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God redeemed you. Therefore I command you this thing today.
16Verse 16. It shall be, if he tells you, “I will not go out from you,” because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you; 17Verse 17. then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise. 18Verse 18. It shall not seem hard to you, when you let him go free from you; for he has been double value of a hired hand as he served you six years. Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do.
Dedication of Firstborn Animals Deuteronomy 15:19–23
19Verse 19. You shall dedicate all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock to Yahweh your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. 20Verse 20. You shall eat it before Yahweh your God year by year in the place which Yahweh shall choose, you and your household. 21Verse 21. If it has any defect, is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God. 22Verse 22. You shall eat it within your gates. The unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle, and as the deer.
23Verse 23. Only you shall not eat its blood. You shall pour it out on the ground like water.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Deuteronomy 15
Debt Forgiveness
In vv. 1-3, the text instructs that at the end of every seven years, 'you shall cancel debts' and creditors must release what they have lent to their 'neighbor' or 'brother'. This practice promotes a community that does not allow financial burdens to persist indefinitely among its members, affirming Yahweh’s directive for social equity. The cancellation of debts ensures that relationships are prioritized over monetary transactions.
Social Justice
Verses 7-11 focus on the treatment of the poor within the community. The text commands that one must not 'harden your heart' against a poor brother, urging the people to 'open your hand' and provide for those in need. This aspect of justice calls for active compassion and support, creating a society where the vulnerable are cared for rather than marginalized.
Generosity
In vv. 10-11, the directive to give generously is clear; one must 'surely give' to the poor, ensuring that their heart is not grieved when doing so. The promise of divine blessing is tied to this act of charity, reinforcing that generosity towards the needy is not only a moral obligation but also a means to receive Yahweh’s favor. This establishes a culture of support within the community.
Liberation
Verses 12-18 address the release of Hebrew servants after six years of service. The passage states that when releasing a servant, one must not 'let him go empty' but rather provide for him generously from one's own resources. This act of liberation is rooted in the historical context of Israel's own deliverance from slavery in Egypt, thus intertwining personal freedom with collective memory and responsibility.
Chapter outline
How Deuteronomy 15 unfolds
Deuteronomy 15:1–3 Debt Cancellation Every Seven Years
A command is given for the cancellation of debts every seven years (vv. 1-2). Creditors must release their debts to fellow Israelites, while debts from foreigners may still be collected (v. 3).
Deuteronomy 15:4–6 Promise of Abundance
The land promised to Israel is tied to obedience (v. 5), where God assures abundant blessings for following His commands (vv. 6). This secures Israel's future prosperity and leadership over other nations.
Deuteronomy 15:7–11 Generosity to the Poor
Believers are commanded to be generous toward the poor (vv. 7-8). There is a warning against reluctance to give, especially as the year of release approaches (vv. 9-10), with God's blessing tied to their generosity (v. 10).
Deuteronomy 15:12–18 Releasing Hebrew Servants
Hebrew slaves must be released in the seventh year (vv. 12-13), and they should be provided for generously upon release (v. 14). If the slave chooses to stay, a ritual marks their permanent service (vv. 16-17).
Deuteronomy 15:19–23 Dedication of Firstborn Animals
Firstborn males of livestock are to be dedicated to God (v. 19), and these should not be worked with or sheared (v. 20). Defective animals cannot be sacrificed, but can be eaten by everyone (vv. 21-22).
Key verses
Deuteronomy 15:12Moses speaks to the Israelites, commanding them to release Hebrew servants after six years of service, which initiates their freedom in the seventh year.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Deuteronomy 15
- observeIn v1, what happens to 'debts' at the end of every seven years?
- observeWhat does Yahweh command in v7 regarding a 'poor man'?
- interpretIn v9, why might someone have a 'wicked thought' about the seventh year?
- interpretIn v15, what does Moses mean by 'remember that you were a slave'?
- applyWhen have you felt compelled to 'open your hand' to someone in need?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Deuteronomy 15
- Deuteronomy 28Deuteronomy 15:6 and Deuteronomy 28:12Both lend to many nations: Deuteronomy 15:6 says you will lend, while Deuteronomy 28:12 also says you will lend.
- Luke 6Deuteronomy 15:10 and Luke 6:38Both give generously: Deuteronomy 15:10 tells you to give, while Luke 6:38 says give, and it will be given.
- Exodus 13Deuteronomy 15:15 and Exodus 13:3Both remember redemption: Deuteronomy 15:15 says to remember you were a slave, while Exodus 13:3 recalls coming out of Egypt.
- Leviticus 1Deuteronomy 15:21 and Leviticus 1:3Both offer without defect: Deuteronomy 15:21 says to not sacrifice with defect, while Leviticus 1:3 requires a male without defect.
- 1 John 3Deuteronomy 15:7 and 1 John 3:17Both open your hand: Deuteronomy 15:7 commands not to shut your hand, while 1 John 3:17 says to not close your heart.
- Deuteronomy 12Deuteronomy 15:20 and Deuteronomy 12:11Both eat before Yahweh: Deuteronomy 15:20 says to eat before Yahweh, while Deuteronomy 12:11 mentions bringing offerings.
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Where to go from here
- Deuteronomy: the whole bookOn the plains of Moab, with the Jordan in view and his own death days away, Moses preaches.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 65Day 65 of 365: Deuteronomy 14–17.
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