Deuteronomy 15 12

Deuteronomy 15:12 kjv

And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.

Deuteronomy 15:12 nkjv

"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 niv

If any of your people?Hebrew men or women?sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free.

Deuteronomy 15:12 esv

"If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.

Deuteronomy 15:12 nlt

"If a fellow Hebrew sells himself or herself to be your servant and serves you for six years, in the seventh year you must set that servant free.

Deuteronomy 15 verses

Deuteronomy 15 12 Meaning

Deuteronomy 15:12 commands that if a fellow Israelite, whether male or female, enters indentured servitude due to poverty or debt, they must be released freely after six years of service, specifically in the seventh year from the start of their personal service.

Deuteronomy 15 12 Context

Deuteronomy 15 is part of Moses' reiteration of the Law to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land. This chapter focuses heavily on social and economic justice, particularly the Sabbatical year (Shemitah) and its implications for debt release and servant liberation. The law of releasing Hebrew servants in verse 12 is intricately linked with the general spirit of release (shemitah) commanded in the broader chapter. Its purpose is to prevent the perpetuation of poverty and ensure humane treatment for fellow Israelites who fall into destitution, stemming from the foundational principle that Israel themselves were once slaves in Egypt and were supernaturally liberated by Yahweh. This compassionate framework distinguishes Israelite law from many other ancient Near Eastern legal codes, which often allowed for harsher or permanent forms of debt slavery.

Deuteronomy 15 12 Word analysis

• And if your brother (וְכִי יִמָּכֵר לְךָ אָחִיךָ - Vechi Yimmacher Lekha Achikha):
  • אָח (ach): "Brother," signifying not merely a biological sibling, but any fellow Israelite. This emphasizes the deep covenantal and communal bond among God's people, establishing a reciprocal duty of care.
  • "Sold to you": Refers to indentured servitude, usually entered into by an individual or their family due to severe debt, economic distress, or as compensation for theft. This was a temporary labor arrangement, distinct from the permanent chattel slavery practiced for foreigners.
• a Hebrew man (עִבְרִי - Ivri):
  • עִבְרִי (Ivri): "Hebrew," an explicit ethnic identifier, stressing that this specific law applies only to Israelites, distinguishing their treatment from that of non-Israelite slaves (Lev 25:44-46).
• or a Hebrew woman (אוֹ אֲחֹתָךְ עִבְרִיָּה - o Achotekh Ivriyah):
  • The explicit inclusion of a "Hebrew woman" demonstrates that female servants, though sometimes having separate rules (Ex 21:7-11), also fell under this seven-year release principle, ensuring equal basic protection under this overarching law of liberation.
• is sold to you (יִמָּכֵר לְךָ - Yimmacher Lekha):
  • "Is sold" implies a transaction, but critically, it’s a transfer of labor rights for a limited time, not absolute ownership of the person. This transaction arises from the individual's desperate circumstances, highlighting the law's aim to mitigate the harshness of such situations.
• and serves you six years (וְעֲבָדְךָ שֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים - VeAvadekh Shesh Shanim):
  • "Serves": Focuses on the performance of labor.
  • "Six years": Defines the strict limit of the servitude period. This pre-determined term provides hope and a clear end to the individual's temporary economic bond.
• then in the seventh year (וּבַשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִית - U'Vashanah HaShevi'it):
  • Refers to the seventh year of that individual's servitude, not necessarily concurrent with the general Sabbatical year for land. This ensures that every individual servant gains freedom after their specific six years of service, regardless of the broader seven-year agricultural cycle.
• you shall let him go free from you (תְּשַׁלְּחֶנּוּ חָפְשִׁי מֵעִמָּךְ - Teshal'chennu Chofshi Me'imakh):
  • שָׁלַח (shalach): "To send away, release, dismiss," indicating an active and definitive act of manumission by the master.
  • חָפְשִׁי (chofshi): "Free," emphasizing the complete restoration of liberty and full social status. The released servant is not subject to any lingering obligation or a lesser social standing.
  • "From you": Underscores that the former master no longer holds any claim or authority over the released individual.

Deuteronomy 15 12 Bonus section

• Reminder of God's Character: The overarching theme of release (Deut 15) reinforces God's character as a Redeemer who delivers His people from bondage, thereby commanding His people to embody that same redemptive quality in their societal interactions.
• Prevention of Wealth Accumulation and Poverty: By enforcing this seven-year release, the law curbed the unlimited accumulation of wealth by some at the expense of others, ensuring a mechanism for the redistribution of economic opportunity and preventing deep, systemic poverty within the nation.
• Distinction from Foreign Slavery: It is crucial to distinguish this specific "Hebrew servant" law from the rules governing non-Israelite slaves, who could indeed be held permanently (Lev 25:44-46). The law emphasizes unique internal communal responsibility rooted in shared covenant identity.
• Prophetic Scrutiny: The Old Testament prophets, notably Jeremiah, later used this law as a yardstick for Israel's faithfulness to their covenant, severely condemning their failure to uphold it (Jer 34), demonstrating its enduring ethical significance.
• The Option of Permanent Servitude (Deut 15:16-17): The allowance for a Hebrew servant to choose to remain permanently with their master, marked by ear piercing, paradoxically highlights the value of the forced release, as genuine lifelong servitude could only occur by willing consent, not by compulsion.

Deuteronomy 15 12 Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:12 establishes a profoundly compassionate and equitable social policy within ancient Israel. It mandates the release of Israelite servants after six years, ensuring that economic hardship does not lead to permanent servitude. This law fundamentally safeguards the dignity and liberty of every Israelite, reinforcing their shared identity as those whom God Himself delivered from bondage in Egypt. Unlike other ancient cultures where debt-servitude could be lifelong or hereditary, this statute provided a clear pathway back to freedom and economic independence, preventing the formation of a permanent underclass. It expresses God’s commitment to social justice, mirroring His own redemptive act. For today, it calls us to uphold human dignity, challenge economic exploitation, and remember our own redemption, prompting acts of mercy and liberation towards those who are oppressed or financially vulnerable. For example, considering support for fair labor practices or advocating for debt relief.