ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Deuteronomy 15

Deut. 15:1–18 The laws in these verses relate to the sabbatical year. See Ex. 23:10–11 and Lev. 25:1–7.

Deut. 15:1–3 All debts between Israelites, however large, were to be cancelled at the end of every seventh year. Debts owed by foreigners were not cancelled (compare 14:21).

Deut. 15:4–6 There will be no poor among you is in effect a command to be generous: “Let there be no poor among you.” Since the land will be sufficiently blessed by God (v. 6), if the laws are followed (v. 5), there should be no poor. But see v. 11 and note on vv. 9–11.

Deut. 15:7–8 If . . . one of your brothers. The law of vv. 7–8 does not apply to the poor outside of Israel. should become poor . . . lend . . . for his need. The cause of the fellow Israelite’s poverty is not the issue, even if it involves wastefulness or foolishness. you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand. It may be costly to the Israelite to give what is needed, but he must be willing to do so.

Deut. 15:9–11 If the sabbatical year is close, loans are less likely to be repaid, but the one asked to lend should have no such unworthy thought in his heart. Verse 4 expressed an ideal situation (see note on vv. 4–6), but the reality is that Israel will never perfectly keep the law, so there will never cease to be poor people among them. There will always be a need for generosity. Compare Matt. 26:11.

Deut. 15:12 When a wealthier Israelite allowed a debtor to become his “slave,” it was considered an act of mercy (Gen. 47:21–25). Indebted people sometimes chose to remain slaves permanently, because of the security it provided (see Deut. 15:16–17). This type of slavery was very different from the kind of slavery usually seen today, which involves kidnapping and forced labor.

Deut. 15:13–15 When a slave ends his term of service, his former owner is to give him supplies and not let him go empty-handed, to help ensure that he won’t have to return to slavery. The Israelites should desire to treat their slaves kindly as they remember (1) God’s blessings (As the Lord . . . has blessed you) and (2) their own long years of slavery in Egypt (remember that you were a slave; see 8:2–3 and note).

Deut. 15:16–17 Piercing with an awl marks permanent ownership. See Ex. 21:5–6; and note on Deut. 15:12.

Deut. 15:18 A warning against greed.

Deut. 15:19–23 Giving the firstborn is an expression of thanks and trust that more animals are to come. The animal is to be eaten in the central place before the Lord.