Deuteronomy 15 18

Deuteronomy 15:18 kjv

It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

Deuteronomy 15:18 nkjv

It shall not seem hard to you when you send him away free from you; for he has been worth a double hired servant in serving you six years. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.

Deuteronomy 15:18 niv

Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because their service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.

Deuteronomy 15:18 esv

It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.

Deuteronomy 15:18 nlt

"You must not consider it a hardship when you release your servants. Remember that for six years they have given you services worth double the wages of hired workers, and the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.

Deuteronomy 15 verses

Deuteronomy 15 18 Meaning

Deuteronomy 15:18 commands the Israelite master not to consider it difficult or burdensome to release a Hebrew servant after six years of service. This is justified by noting that the servant's labor over these six years has been equivalent to or more valuable than the service of a hired worker, effectively serving for "double" a normal wage period. In return for this obedience and compassionate generosity, the Lord their God promises to bless the master in every undertaking.

Deuteronomy 15 18 Context

Deuteronomy 15 forms part of Moses' second speech to Israel before they enter the Promised Land, serving as an exposition of God's covenant law. This chapter specifically focuses on economic justice and social welfare within the Israelite community, emphasizing principles of debt release (the "Shemitah" or Sabbatical Year for debts) and the manumission of Hebrew servants every seventh year. The command in verse 18 immediately follows the explicit instruction (vv. 12-17) to free male and female Hebrew servants after six years of service, and crucially, to "furnish them liberally" (v. 14) from flocks, threshing floor, and winepress, ensuring they are not sent away empty-handed. The entire chapter flows from the theological premise of Israel's own redemption from slavery in Egypt (Dt 15:15) by a gracious God, obligating them to extend similar grace and compassion to their brethren, especially the poor and indebted. It contrasts sharply with practices in surrounding cultures where permanent servitude was common, establishing a just and humane social order based on the principles of covenant love and the temporary nature of hardship.

Deuteronomy 15 18 Word analysis

• Do not consider it a hardship (לֹא יִקְשֶׁה - lo yiqsheh): This phrase emphasizes the internal attitude of the master. Lo yiqsheh literally means "it shall not be hard for you" or "it should not be difficult/grievous in your eyes." It points beyond mere compliance with a law to a cheerful and willing heart in carrying out God's command. This highlights the ethical dimension—not grudging duty, but generosity and empathy.
• to let your servant go free (בשלהך עבִדְךָ הֶחָפְשִׁי - b'shalekhak ʿavd'kha hehḥafshī): This refers to the act of manumission, specifically for a Hebrew servant (ʿeved could mean slave or servant generally, but context confirms a Hebrew bondservant here). Hehḥafshī means "the free one," indicating the return to a state of independent liberty. The release is not just cessation of service but full restoration to societal freedom and dignity.
• because he has served you double what a hired worker would (כִּי מִשְׁנֶה שְׂכַר שָׂכִיר - ki mishneh s'khar sakhir): This provides a justification rooted in economic fairness and gratitude. Mishneh means "double" or "twice." S'khar sakhir means "the wages of a hired hand." A hired hand often worked for a short, specific period (e.g., harvest season) and could leave at will. A servant, however, was bound for six years, providing steady, consistent, often unrestricted labor, effectively delivering sustained output far greater than a temporary hire might. This service represented immense value and stability for the master's household or business, making the master truly indebted to the servant beyond simple hourly wages.
• serving you six years (עֲבָדְךָ שֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים - ʿavad'kha shesh shanim): This specifies the precise duration that establishes the claim for freedom. The six-year term was fixed by law, after which the servant had a right to freedom. This legal framework contrasted with lifelong servitude in surrounding nations, providing a social safety net and an escape route from debt or poverty for Israelites.
• And the Lord your God will bless you (וּבֵרַכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - ūvērakh'kha Yahweh Eloheykha): This is a direct, divinely assured promise of prosperity and favor. "The Lord your God" emphasizes the covenant relationship and God's personal involvement in their lives and actions. This blessing would extend to all aspects of their lives for demonstrating obedience, faith, and compassionate generosity aligned with His character.
• in everything you do (בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה - b'khol asher taʿaseh): This signifies comprehensive blessing, covering all efforts, endeavors, and possessions—whether in agriculture, family, or business. It ensures that the "loss" of free labor or resources in letting a servant go would be more than compensated by divine favor.

Words-group analysis

• "Do not consider it a hardship to let your servant go free, because he has served you double what a hired worker would": This phrase highlights the divine logic of the command. God addresses the likely internal resistance (it might feel like a loss or a hardship) by providing an ethical and economic rationale. The servant's prolonged, steady, and valuable labor over six years more than compensates for their freedom and the "furnishing" they receive. This transforms a potential grievance into a just recognition of service rendered and value received.
• "serving you six years. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.": This connects human obedience directly to divine blessing. The definite period of service marks the moment for legal release, and God's immediate promise of comprehensive blessing serves as a powerful incentive for compliance. It reinforces that genuine justice and mercy toward others, even if seemingly costly in the short term, are ultimately profitable when done in faith and obedience to God. It shows that God will reward obedience to what might be seen as an inconvenient law.

Deuteronomy 15 18 Bonus section

The concept of indentured servitude among Hebrews was fundamentally different from the chattel slavery prevalent in surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures. It was primarily a response to debt or poverty, offering a means of sustenance and security during difficult times, not a permanent loss of personhood or inherited status. The mandated release after six years, coupled with the generous provisioning, ensured a cycle of social renewal and prevented the formation of a permanent underclass, aligning with God's ultimate desire for the freedom and flourishing of His people, reminiscent of their own liberation from Egyptian bondage. The Law's provisions protected the servant's identity and future prospects, contrasting starkly with systems where enslaved individuals were property with no rights or hope of freedom. This reflects a revolutionary socio-economic ethic rooted in the covenant relationship with a God who delivers from oppression.

Deuteronomy 15 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:18 distills a profound truth about God's economy: acts of costly obedience rooted in compassion and trust lead to divine blessing. The verse calls the master to an attitude of cheerful relinquishment, resisting the natural human inclination towards greed or the desire for endless free labor. By framing the servant's six years of devoted service as worth "double what a hired worker would," the law presents not just a command but an economic justification; the master has already received significant value. The compassionate act of release, especially when coupled with the directive to provide for the departing servant (Dt 15:14), becomes an embodiment of God's own grace in redeeming Israel from bondage. The profound promise, "the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do," serves as a divine guarantee. It encourages masters to act not out of grudging obligation, but out of faith that God's ways are ultimately the most prosperous and just. This teaches that true wealth is not solely accumulation, but what flows from obedient generosity that honors human dignity and trusts in God's provision.