Deuteronomy 15 8

Deuteronomy 15:8 kjv

But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

Deuteronomy 15:8 nkjv

but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

Deuteronomy 15:8 niv

Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.

Deuteronomy 15:8 esv

but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.

Deuteronomy 15:8 nlt

Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need.

Deuteronomy 15 verses

Deuteronomy 15 8 Meaning

Deuteronomy 15:8 is a divine command from God to His people, Israel, instructing them to be radically generous and compassionate towards their fellow Israelites who have fallen into poverty. It goes beyond mere charity, requiring an open-hearted and open-handed response, ensuring that the struggling individual receives precisely what is needed to overcome their immediate lack, thus preventing deeper despair and perpetual indebtedness. This is not merely a suggestion but a requirement rooted in God's covenant with His people.

Deuteronomy 15 8 Context

Deuteronomy 15:8 falls within a larger section (Deut 15:1-11) dealing with the "Year of Release" or Sabbatical Year (Shemitah). This chapter primarily mandates the cancellation of debts among Israelites every seven years (v. 1-6). While the cancellation of debts ensures no perpetual bondage due to debt, verses 7-11 pivot to daily, active compassion towards the poor before the year of release. The specific context is that despite the coming debt cancellation, the people must not hold back generosity now, out of fear they won't be repaid or that the recipient's debt will be erased. God acknowledges that "there will never cease to be poor in the land" (v. 11), emphasizing the perpetual call for individual generosity regardless of institutional measures. The historical context is Israel on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, being given laws that would define their society as a holy nation, distinct from surrounding cultures which often exploited the poor.

Deuteronomy 15 8 Word analysis

• but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him

  • but thou shalt open thine hand wide: The Hebrew here uses an infinitive absolute, pā·ṯō·aḥ tif·taḥ (פָתֹחַ תִּפְתַּח), literally "opening you shall open" or "you shall surely open." This grammatical construction strongly emphasizes the action and command. It implies a generous, unrestricted, and immediate opening of the hand, rather than a hesitant or begrudging gesture.
  • unto him: Refers directly to "your brother, a needy person, in any of your towns" mentioned in Deut 15:7. This establishes the target of this open-handedness as a fellow Israelite, highlighting the covenant community's responsibility towards its own members.

• and shalt surely lend him

  • and shalt surely lend: Similar to "open thine hand wide," the Hebrew employs another infinitive absolute, ha·‘ă·ḇêṭ ta‘ă·ḇî·ṭen·nū (הַעֲבֵט תַּעֲבִיטֶנּוּ), meaning "lending you shall lend him" or "you shall surely lend him." This reinforces the obligation. Lending, here, isn't for profit or advantage, but as an act of selfless help to alleviate hardship, recognizing the precariousness of their situation and fulfilling the command of mutual aid.

• sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

  • sufficient for his need: Hebrew dê maḥ·sō·rō (דֵּי מַחְסֹרוֹ), which literally means "sufficiency of his lack." This is a crucial qualifier. The generosity is not limitless or wasteful but precisely tailored to what is lacking for their subsistence and well-being. It is meant to meet genuine, immediate need, enabling the person to get back on their feet.
  • in that which he wanteth: Reiteration and emphasis of the previous phrase. It underscores that the giving is to address a specific, identified absence or deficit in the poor person's life, whether food, shelter, clothing, or resources to re-establish their livelihood. This specifies the purpose and extent of the required lending.

Deuteronomy 15 8 Bonus section

The emphasis on "lending" rather than "giving" outright suggests a recognition of dignity and capability. It provided assistance while encouraging the recipient to strive for self-sufficiency rather than fostering a mentality of perpetual dependence. While some biblical contexts speak of outright giving, this passage highlights a structured method of help. This command reveals God's economic wisdom, aiming to prevent chronic poverty and the cycle of indebtedness within His nation. It promotes a robust communal safety net that reflected the covenant relationship with God Himself, who generously provides for His people. This law served as a spiritual barometer, testing the Israelite's heart towards God's love and justice, as true faith was always to be accompanied by compassionate action towards others, especially the disadvantaged.

Deuteronomy 15 8 Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:8 embodies a core principle of Mosaic law: a deep-seated concern for the welfare of the poor and vulnerable within the covenant community. It reveals God's desire for a society where mutual support and compassion prevent anyone from sinking into insurmountable poverty. The repetition and emphasis through the infinitive absolutes ("surely open," "surely lend") underscore the urgency and divine mandate of this command. It wasn't just about debt cancellation; it was about an ongoing, proactive generosity rooted in a heart that reflected God's own character. This proactive benevolence, ensuring sufficiency for need, stands as a powerful counter-cultural message, preventing both individual suffering and the erosion of communal bonds. It calls for generosity that isn't transactional or calculated but flows from a recognition of shared humanity and divine obligation.

Examples:

• Providing food, warm clothing, or essential supplies directly to a struggling neighbor when aware of their immediate lack.
• Lending money without interest to someone to help them cover unexpected medical bills or start a small venture, knowing their honest intent to repay if able.
• Actively seeking out ways to support ministries or organizations that identify and meet specific needs for the less fortunate in the community.