Deuteronomy 15:2

_AND THIS IS THE MANNER OF THE RELEASE: EVERY CREDITOR THAT LENDETH OUGHT UNTO HIS NEIGHBOUR SHALL RELEASE IT; HE SHALL NOT EXACT IT OF HIS NEIGHBOUR, OR OF HIS BROTHER; BECAUSE IT IS CALLED THE LORD'S RELEASE._ Every creditor ... shall release it - not by an absolute discharge of the debt, but by passing over that year without exacting payment. The relief was temporary and special to that year, during which there was a total suspension of agricultural labour. HE SHALL NOT EXACT IT OF HIS ... BROTHER - i:e., an Israelite, fellow-countryman, so called in opposition to a stranger or foreigner. THE LORD'S RELEASE. The reason for acquitting a debtor at that particular period proceeded from obedience to the command and a regal to the honour of God-an acknowledgment of holding their property of Him, and gratitude for His kindness....

1-11 This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and lays restraints upon the thoughts of the heart. We mistake, if we think thoughts are free from God's knowledge and check. That is a wicked heart indeed, which raises evil thoughts from the good law of God, as theirs did, who, because God had obliged them to the charity of forgiving, denied the charity of giving. Those who would keep from the act of sin, must keep out of their minds the very thought of sin. It is a dreadful thing to have the cry of the poor justly against us. Grudge not a kindness to thy brother; distrust not the providence of God. What thou doest, do freely, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7....

The year of release is no doubt identical with the sabbatical year of the earlier legislation (Exodus 23:10 ff, and Leviticus 25:2 ff), the command of the older legislation being here amplified. The release was probably for the year, not total and final, and had reference only to loans lent because of poverty (compare Deuteronomy 15:4, Deuteronomy 15:7). Yet even so the law was found to be too stringent for the avarice of the people, because it was one of those which the rabbis “made of none effect by their traditions.”...

EXPOSITION THE YEAR OF RELEASE FOR THE BENEFIT OF DEBTORS AND THE EMANCIPATION OF HEBREW SLAVES. THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN OF CATTLE. DEUTERONOMY 15:1 To the prescription of a tithe for the needy there is added a regulation for the behalf of debtors. The Israelites were not only to help the poor, but they were to refrain from what would be a hardship and oppression to them. Debtors, consequently, were not to be deprived of the benefit of the sabbatical year, for

AND THIS IS THE MANNER OF THE RELEASE,.... Or the rules to be observed in making it: EVERY CREDITOR THAT LENDETH OUGHT UNTO HIS NEIGHBOUR SHALL RELEASE IT; that is, forgive the debt, or free the debtor from any obligation to payment. Some think this was only a release of debts for this year, in which there was no ploughing nor sowing, and so a poor man could not be in any circumstances to pay his debts, but might be exacted afterwards; but it rather seems to be a full release, so as the payment of them might not be demanded, neither this year nor afterwards; indeed, if a person afterwards should be in a capacity to pay his debts, he would be obliged, in conscience, duty, and honour, to pay them, though no reserve was made in this law, which nowhere appears: HE SHALL NOT EXACT IT OF HIS NEIGHBOUR, OR OF HIS BROTHER: he might receive it, if payment was offered, but he might not demand it...

11. THE YEAR OF RELEASE AND LIBERATION OF HEBREW SLAVES CHAPTER 15:1-18 _ 1. The year of release (Deuteronomy 15:1)_ 2. The liberation of the Hebrew slaves (Deuteronomy 15:12) The poor and those who have no possession were to be remembered in kindness and have a share in the blessings. Linked with this law are the laws not to force and oppress the poor, the year of release and the liberation of the slaves. The great Sabbatic year, the seventh, brought the release. See Exodus 23:10 and Leviticus 25:2. Here we have an enlarged exposition of the previously given law. The debtor not to be

Three laws in the interest of the poor: the Sabbatical year, or year of release (p. 102, Exodus 21:2 *, Leviticus 25:39 *). Deuteronomy 15:1. Every seventh year (probably the same year was observed throughout the country) a creditor's right to distrain for debt was suspended (not, as some say, permanently cancelled). Foreigners, however (not sojourners, see Deuteronomy 1:16 *) were deprived of this privilege (Deuteronomy 15:1). If, however, obedient to Yahweh, Israel would not need to borrow ...

_And this is the manner of the release_ Lit. _the word_or _law_(or as we might say _text) of_: cp. Deuteronomy 19:4 R.V. _this is the case of_. The following clause is a citation of an older law, as we see further from its phrasing. _every creditor_ Lit. _every owner_(_ba-al_cp. Exodus 22:14) _of a loan of his hand_, of anything he has _lifted_or _made over_at his own hand. _neighbour_ Heb. _rçă-_, very seldom used with the Sg. address for _fellow-Israelite_, and possibly always, as here, in quotations, Deuteronomy 19:4 f., Deuteronomy 23:24 f.,

_VER._ 2. _EVERY CREDITOR THAT LENDETH—SHALL RELEASE_— This cannot well be meant of money lent to those who were well able to pay; for nothing could have been more absurd than to have extinguished debts whereby the borrower was enriched: but it must be meant of money lent to an Israelite who was in poor circumstances, as appears from ver. 4. Le Clerc, with others, seems to understand the precept thus: that they were only to forbear to demand it this year; for, as there was no sowing or produce of the land every seventh year, Hebrew debtors, unless they were very rich, could not have paid their debts that year without great inconvenience: and indeed the Hebrew word does not import an absolute _remission,_ but an _intermission_ only. However, with respect to the indigent and necessitous, more seems to be designed, namely, that they should have an entire acquittance of their debts; though,...

(2) THE YEAR OF RELEASE (Deuteronomy 15:1-6) At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because Jehovah's release hath been proclaimed, 3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it: but whatsoever of thine is with thy brother thy hand shall release. 4 Howbeit there shall be no poor with thee; (for Jehovah will surely bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it;) 5 if only thou diligently hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all this commandment which I command thee this day. 6 For Jehovah thy God will bless thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, bu