Deuteronomy 23 15

Deuteronomy 23:15 kjv

Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

Deuteronomy 23:15 nkjv

"You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you.

Deuteronomy 23:15 niv

If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master.

Deuteronomy 23:15 esv

"You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

Deuteronomy 23:15 nlt

"If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters.

Deuteronomy 23 verses

Deuteronomy 23 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 23:15 commands the Israelites not to hand over or return a slave who has escaped from their master and sought refuge within the community. When read in conjunction with the subsequent verse, Deuteronomy 23:16, the instruction is broadened to ensure that the runaway slave is not only not returned, but is also provided a safe place to live freely within any of the Israelite towns, without oppression. This verse underscores a radical act of humanitarian protection and asylum, prioritizing human dignity and safety over external property claims.

Deuteronomy 23 15 Context

Deuteronomy Chapter 23 outlines various laws related to the purity and integrity of the Israelite community, specifically concerning who may enter the "assembly of the Lord," rules regarding cultic hygiene, and various civic regulations that define their covenant relationship with God. This includes stipulations about foreigners (Ammonites and Moabites are excluded, but Edomites and Egyptians are later accepted), sanitary practices in military camps, and integrity in worship.

Verses 15 and 16 form a distinct unit concerning the treatment of runaway slaves, following immediately after regulations concerning various prohibited entries into the assembly. While seemingly disparate from assembly regulations, this law functions as a vital moral imperative for a holy people, demonstrating the distinct nature of Israelite ethics compared to surrounding nations. It emphasizes that Israel, having experienced bondage and liberation in Egypt, was to extend compassion and refuge, not reinforce oppression. The historical context is critical: most ancient Near Eastern legal codes (like the Code of Hammurabi) demanded the return of runaway slaves, often with severe penalties for those who harbored them. This Israelite law thus stands in stark contrast, embodying God’s character of liberation and justice.

Deuteronomy 23 15 Word analysis

• You shall not give up (lo' tasgir, לֹא־תַסְגִּיר): The negative particle lo' (not) followed by tasgir, which comes from the verb sāgar (סָגַר), meaning "to shut up, to close," but in the Hiphil stem here, it means "to deliver up," "to hand over," or "to betray." This is a strong, definitive prohibition against any action that would result in the slave's return to servitude under their original master.

• to his master ('el-'ădonâv, אֶל־אֲדֹנָיו): adon (אָדוֹן) means "lord" or "master." This phrase clearly identifies the person from whom the slave escaped, highlighting that the runaway is actively seeking freedom from a condition of servitude, and implicitly challenges the master's conventional property rights over the individual.

• a slave ('eved, עֶבֶד): This Hebrew term is broad and can refer to a "servant," "bondservant," or "slave." It generally denotes someone under authority or compelled to service. In this context, given the escape, it likely refers to a person held in involuntary servitude or severe debt-bondage from which they seek release. It’s important to note that Israelite law made distinctions; Hebrew "servants" were treated differently than foreign "slaves," but this verse doesn't specify nationality, leading many to believe it referred primarily to foreign slaves fleeing from foreign masters into Israelite territory.

• who has escaped (nivraḥ, נִבְרָח): A passive participle from the verb bāraḥ (בָּרַח), meaning "to flee" or "to escape." This word paints a picture of someone in active flight, seeking refuge. It highlights their vulnerable and desperate condition.

• from his master (me'al 'ădonâv, מֵעַל אֲדֹנָיו): Reinforces the direct separation from the place and person of servitude, indicating a decisive break from the old state.

• to you ('eleka, אֵלֶיךָ): This small phrase is critically important, as it defines the destination of the escapee: into the Israelite community, thereby placing the responsibility directly upon the Israelites to provide sanctuary. It means "to your care," "to your protection."

• Words-group: "You shall not give up... a slave who has escaped... to you." This phrase constitutes a radical legal principle. Instead of upholding the property rights of the master, the law prioritizes the freedom and safety of the human being who has fled. It implies a moral and ethical obligation on the part of the Israelite community to offer asylum, creating a haven for the oppressed within their midst. This principle sets the Israelite law apart from many other ancient Near Eastern legal codes, where runaway slaves were typically to be returned to their masters, sometimes with severe penalties for those who assisted them. This commandment aligns with Israel’s own history of being delivered from slavery in Egypt.

Deuteronomy 23 15 Bonus section

• Contextual Unity (Deuteronomy 23:15-16): It is critical to interpret Deuteronomy 23:15 in direct conjunction with Deuteronomy 23:16. Verse 15 issues the prohibition against returning the slave, while verse 16 elaborates on the positive duty to receive, protect, and allow the escaped individual to settle and live freely "wherever it seems good to him; you shall not oppress him." This two-part command provides a full framework of asylum and protection.
• Radical Humanitarianism: This law is exceptionally distinct when contrasted with typical Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) laws. For instance, the Code of Hammurabi (Laws 15-16) prescribed the death penalty for anyone who harbored a runaway slave and failed to bring them back to their master. Such comparative analysis highlights the unique, counter-cultural, and profoundly humanitarian nature of God's law for Israel, setting them apart as a nation embodying divine compassion and justice.
• Identity and Mission: The law served to remind Israel of their own history as slaves in Egypt who were divinely delivered. Their experience of liberation was to shape their treatment of others who sought freedom. It instilled within them an ethic of empathy and became part of their distinct identity as a covenant people called to embody God's righteousness on earth.
• Implications for Today: While the institution of slavery as known in biblical times does not exist in the same way, the underlying principles of this command resonate profoundly. It speaks to providing refuge for those fleeing oppression, persecution, or dangerous situations, emphasizing hospitality, defending the vulnerable, and upholding human dignity above property or political claims. It encourages communities to be places of sanctuary and hope for the marginalized.

Deuteronomy 23 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:15, taken with 23:16, presents a profoundly humane and ethically distinct legal provision in the ancient world. It is a striking command that prioritizes the dignity and freedom of an individual over economic interest or property rights traditionally claimed by masters. Unlike many surrounding cultures that penalized aid to runaway slaves and mandated their return, God's law for Israel dictates that any slave who flees to the Israelite community must not be surrendered. Furthermore, they are to be welcomed, allowed to settle where they choose within Israelite towns, and not be oppressed.

This law is a direct reflection of God’s character as the liberator of the oppressed and the defender of the vulnerable, recalling Israel’s own exodus from Egyptian bondage (Deu 5:15). It teaches that justice and compassion are core values for a people covenanted to Yahweh. The act of receiving and protecting the fugitive slave signifies a radical inclusivity and a testament to God's reign where liberty is valued. While not necessarily an abolitionist statement, it significantly undercuts the absolute authority of masters, particularly over foreign slaves, and transforms what would elsewhere be a criminal offense (harboring a fugitive) into a divine command for righteous action. This provision stands as an enduring testament to the Bible’s emphasis on human freedom, the rejection of unchecked oppression, and the provision of sanctuary for those who are marginalized and seeking new life.