Deuteronomy 15 2

Deuteronomy 15:2 kjv

And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.

Deuteronomy 15:2 nkjv

And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD's release.

Deuteronomy 15:2 niv

This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.

Deuteronomy 15:2 esv

And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the LORD's release has been proclaimed.

Deuteronomy 15:2 nlt

This is how it must be done. Everyone must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the LORD's time of release has arrived.

Deuteronomy 15 verses

Deuteronomy 15 2 Meaning

Deuteronomy 15:2 precisely details the commandment for debt release within ancient Israel during the sabbatical year, or the "year of release" (referred to as shemittah). It dictates that every Israelite creditor must forgive loans made to their fellow Israelite (neighbor or brother) during this seventh year. The creditor is explicitly forbidden from demanding or enforcing repayment of these debts. The profound reason given for this compulsory act is that it is fundamentally designated and commanded by God Himself, making it "the LORD's release."

Deuteronomy 15 2 Context

Deuteronomy 15 is centrally concerned with covenantal responsibilities towards fellow Israelites, particularly in the seventh year, known as the Sabbatical year or the year of release (shemittah). This chapter outlines regulations not only for debt remission (v. 1-11) but also for the release of Hebrew servants (v. 12-18). These laws were vital to Israel's identity as a distinct, divinely-ordered society, preventing permanent servitude, perpetual debt cycles, and extreme economic inequality. In the broader Mosaic covenant, shemittah years and the Jubilee year (Lev 25) served as periodic economic and social resets, protecting land ownership, preventing land accumulation, and upholding the dignity of the poor. This contrasted sharply with surrounding Ancient Near Eastern societies, where debt often led to permanent bondage or irreversible loss of ancestral land. God commanded these provisions as an expression of His sovereignty, care for His people, and as a reminder of Israel's own liberation from Egyptian slavery, obligating them to extend mercy and freedom within their community.

Deuteronomy 15 2 Word analysis

• And this is the manner of the release: This phrase immediately signifies that the following statement provides the specific, detailed regulation for the "release" introduced in the preceding verse. The term "release" (שְׁמִטָּה, shemittah) means a "letting go," "dropping," or "remission." It is an established Sabbath-based institution within Israel's covenant with God, encompassing land, debts, and servants, intended to restore and reset socio-economic balance.

• Every creditor: A "creditor" is specified as בַּעַל מַשֶּׁה (ba'al masheh), literally "master of a loan" or "one who causes to lend." This indicates anyone who has provided money, goods, or resources as a loan, anticipating repayment.

• that lends unto his neighbour: "Lends" implies the act of providing a loan. "Neighbour" (רֵעֵהוּ, re'ehu) emphasizes the intra-Israelite context, meaning a fellow member of the covenant community, differentiating them from foreigners who fell under different stipulations (Deut 15:3). This highlights a specific communal obligation.

• shall release it; he shall not exact it: The command "shall release it" (from the root שָׁמַט, shamat) is an imperative, demanding the complete cancellation or forfeiture of the debt. "He shall not exact it" uses the verb נָגַשׂ (nagas), meaning "to press," "to compel," or "to demand rigorously." This forbids any form of insistent pursuit, legal action, or oppression for the outstanding debt, reinforcing the mandatory and absolute nature of the release. The twin commands underline the total cessation of the creditor's claim.

• of his neighbour, or of his brother: This repetition strongly reiterates the specific 대상 for the release – an Israelite. "Brother" reinforces the deep bond and shared covenant identity, emphasizing mutual responsibility and solidarity within God's people.

• because it is called the LORD's release: This concluding clause (כִּי קָרָא שְׁמִטָּה לַיהוָה, ki kara shemittah La-YHWH - "for a release for Yahweh is proclaimed/called") provides the ultimate theological justification and sanctity of the law. It elevates the debt release from a mere social custom to a divine decree, a sacred act performed for and unto the Lord. This signifies God's direct command, ownership over all things (including wealth and time), and His sovereign establishment of this social reset, reflecting His character of justice and mercy.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor... shall release it; he shall not exact it": This cluster establishes the mechanism and compulsory nature of the debt release. It details how the shemittah applies to personal loans, leaving no ambiguity for the creditor. The combination of the positive command ("release") and the negative prohibition ("not exact") emphasizes the totality of the required action.
  • "of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release": This section defines the beneficiaries and, critically, the divine rationale. The repetition of "neighbour" and "brother" focuses the law inward to the covenant community, while "because it is called the LORD's release" anchors the entire statute in God's authority and will. It highlights that compliance is an act of covenant obedience and worship, recognizing God as the source and owner of all.

Deuteronomy 15 2 Bonus section

• Trust and Provision: The observance of the shemittah year required deep faith from the Israelites, particularly creditors. By releasing debts, they had to trust God to compensate their "loss" through His future blessings, challenging a human tendency towards self-sufficiency and greed.
• Prophetic Neglect: Biblical history records frequent failures by Israel to observe the Sabbatical year laws, including debt release and land rest (e.g., Jer 34, Neh 5). This neglect demonstrated a deep-seated spiritual rebellion against God's commands for justice and ultimately contributed to the Babylonian exile, a period often described as the land finally enjoying its unobserved Sabbaths (Lev 26:34-35; 2 Chron 36:21).
• Abolition of Indefinite Debt Slavery: While other ANE cultures had debt relief mechanisms, they often involved long terms of servitude. The Deuteronomic law (along with Exod 21:2) limited this to six years of service before release in the seventh, aligning with the spirit of debt release to prevent a permanent underclass among Israelites.
• Spiritual Parallel: The act of physical debt release parallels spiritual forgiveness. Just as God has released humanity from the debt of sin through Christ, so believers are called to extend mercy and forgiveness to one another, reflecting His character and love.

Deuteronomy 15 2 Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:2 provides the core directive for the Sabbatical year's debt remission, underscoring God's radical commitment to economic justice and social equity within Israel. This was not a voluntary charitable act, but a non-negotiable command, transforming the burden of debt into an expression of divine grace and community solidarity. The stipulation to "release" and "not exact" demonstrates God's desire to prevent the perpetual impoverishment of Israelites and maintain their familial land inheritance. By proclaiming it "the LORD's release," God sanctifies the act, requiring His people to mirror His own liberative work for them out of Egypt and to trust in His provision for their own needs. Disobedience to this and similar laws frequently led to significant social strife and national judgment, highlighting its profound significance in Israel's covenant relationship with God. The New Testament echoes this spirit through teachings on forgiveness (Matt 6:12, Matt 18:23-35) and active compassion for the poor (Luke 4:18-19, Acts 2:44-45), reflecting the eternal heart of God to alleviate human suffering and establish righteousness.