Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 15

Verse 1

seven years = when the seventh year has arrived. Compare Exodus 23:10 , Exodus 23:11 .Leviticus 25:3 , Leviticus 25:4 .

release. Compare Exodus 23:10 , Exodus 23:11 .Leviticus 25:6 , Leviticus 25:7 . In Ex. and Lev. rest for the land. In Deut, release for the debtor. The noun, shamat, only here and Deuteronomy 31:10 . The verb, only in Exodus 23:11 = to let lie down.

Verse 4

Save when. This rendering not in any ancient version. Authorized Version margin has "that there be no poor", &c. Revised Version = howbeit. Compare Deuteronomy 15:11 , shall never cease: i.e. or die from your neglect; which would be the case if these laws were not carried out.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 5

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 .

Verse 6

as = according as.

lend = lend in pledge.

reign = rule.

Verse 9

thought = word (= thought expressed).

wicked heart = heart of Belial.

sin = Hebrew. chat'a . See App-44 .

Verse 11

never cease. See note on Deuteronomy 15:4 .

Verse 12

brother. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ) by adding "[or thy sister]".

Hebrew man. Compare Exodus 21:2 .Jeremiah 34:13 , Jeremiah 34:14 .

Verse 14

floor = threshing-floor.

Verse 16

if he say. Compare Exodus 21:5 , Exodus 21:6 .

Verse 17

aul. Only here, and Exodus 21:6 .

for ever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6 , whole time put for part of time.

Verse 18

double. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), put for that which is more than one. App-6 .

Verse 19

All, &c. Compare Exodus 34:19 , Exodus 34:20 .

Verse 21

blemish. Compare Leviticus 22:20-22 .Malachi 1:8 .

Verse 23

thou. Some codices, with Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, read "ye".