Deuteronomy 15:4

_SAVE WHEN THERE SHALL BE NO POOR AMONG YOU; FOR THE LORD SHALL GREATLY BLESS THEE IN THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE FOR AN INHERITANCE TO POSSESS IT:_ Save when there shall be no poor among you - apparently a qualifying clause added to limit the application of the foregoing statement; so that borrower; whereas it is implied that if he were rich, the restoration of the loan might be demanded even during that year. But the words may properly be rendered (as on margin) to the end, in order that there may be no poor among you - i:e., that none be reduced to inconvenient straits and poverty by unseasonable exaction of debts, at a time when there was no labour and no produce, and that all may enjoy comfort and prosperity, which will be the case through the special blessing of God on the land, provided they are obedient....

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....

Verse Deuteronomy 15:4. _THERE SHALL BE NO POOR_] That is, comparatively; see Deuteronomy 15:11....

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

SAVE WHEN THERE SHALL BE NO POOR AMONG YOU,.... Then such a law could not take place, there would be no debts to be released; for this was never designed to screen rich persons from the payment of their just debts, or whoever were in a capacity of so doing, only such as were really poor, and unable to pay; and it supposes that this might sometimes be the case, that there were none poor in Israel, or needed the benefit of such a law; and, according to the Targum of Jonathan, it is suggested there would be none, if they were observant of the commands of God: and some take it for a promise, rendering the words "nevertheless" c, notwithstanding such a law, THERE SHALL BE NO POOR AMONG YOU; but then it must be understood conditionally: others interpret this as the end to be answered by this law, "to the end d there may be no poor among you"; by observing this law, all debts being released on...

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 ...

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....

_Howbeit there shall be no poor with thee_ Dillm. etc. transl.: _should be no poor_. But this is not a correct rendering of the Heb. which uses the positive form of the vb.; and it weakens the writer's confident emphasis on his ideal. He is stating not so much what _should be_as what _shall be, if only_(_raḳ_: see on Deuteronomy 10:15) Israel obeys the law (Deuteronomy 15:5). See introd. note above. The rest of Deuteronomy 15:4 is a parenthesis, and probably a later expansion. _for the Lord will surely bless thee_ Sam., LXX add _thy God_; cp. Deuteronomy 2:7;...