Deuteronomy 23:16 kjv
He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.
Deuteronomy 23:16 nkjv
He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him.
Deuteronomy 23:16 niv
Let them live among you wherever they like and in whatever town they choose. Do not oppress them.
Deuteronomy 23:16 esv
He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he shall choose within one of your towns, wherever it suits him. You shall not wrong him.
Deuteronomy 23:16 nlt
Let them live among you in any town they choose, and do not oppress them.
Deuteronomy 23 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 21:26-27 | If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave… he shall let him go free on account of his eye. | Slaves injured by masters go free. |
| Lev 19:33-34 | When a stranger resides with you in your land… you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. | Treat resident aliens with love and equity. |
| Lev 25:39-43 | If your brother becomes poor… you shall not compel him to serve as a slave. ...but as a hired hand... | Hebrew bondservants are not to be ruled harshly. |
| Lev 25:53 | He shall be with him as a hired servant… and he shall not rule with severity over him in your sight. | Master not to rule with harshness. |
| Num 35:9-12 | Appoint for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge, to which a manslayer… may flee. | Establishment of cities for asylum. |
| Deut 5:15 | You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there. | Reminder of Israel's past bondage. |
| Deut 10:19 | You shall therefore love the sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. | Compassion for strangers based on history. |
| Deut 15:15 | You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt… therefore I command you this today. | Remembering Egyptian slavery influences law. |
| Deut 16:12 | You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. | Observance of statutes linked to past slavery. |
| Deut 19:1-10 | Provides details for cities of refuge, ensuring refuge for accidental killers. | Protection and asylum in the land. |
| Job 31:13-15 | If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves… did not He who made me in the womb make him? | Job’s ethical treatment of servants, common Creator. |
| Ps 82:3-4 | Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Deliver the poor and needy. | Advocate for the vulnerable. |
| Prov 14:31 | He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him. | Care for the poor and needy honors God. |
| Prov 31:8-9 | Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy. | Speak up for the voiceless and oppressed. |
| Isa 1:17 | Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow. | Command to seek justice and help oppressed. |
| Jer 22:3 | Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. | Deliverance from oppression is God’s command. |
| Mt 25:35-40 | For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me. | Caring for "the least of these" as serving Christ. |
| Mk 12:31 | You shall love your neighbor as yourself. | Fundamental command to love fellow man. |
| Rom 12:13 | Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. | Practice hospitality. |
| 1 Cor 7:21 | Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of it. | Spiritual freedom emphasized; natural freedom desirable. |
| Eph 6:9 | And masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that both your Master and theirs is in heaven. | Masters treat slaves justly, as both have a heavenly Master. |
| Phlm 1:15-16 | For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother. | Onesimus, a runaway, is returned not as slave, but as brother in Christ. |
| Heb 13:2 | Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. | Exhortation to hospitality. |
Deuteronomy 23 verses
Deuteronomy 23 16 Meaning
This verse establishes a unique command for the people of Israel: they are forbidden from returning a person who has escaped servitude from their master and sought refuge within the Israelite community. This law prioritizes the freedom and safety of the escaped individual over the master's claim to property, embodying principles of compassion and refuge for the vulnerable.
Deuteronomy 23 16 Context
Deuteronomy 23 is part of Moses' farewell discourse, presenting a series of various laws that define what it means for Israel to be a holy nation set apart by God. The chapter includes regulations regarding those permitted in the assembly of the Lord, matters of ceremonial purity, and proper conduct concerning pledges and vows. The command in verse 16 appears amidst laws emphasizing communal responsibility, fairness, and the protection of the vulnerable within the covenant community. Historically, in the ancient Near East, laws commonly dictated that runaway slaves were to be returned to their masters, often with penalties for those who harbored them. This makes the Deuteronomic law highly distinctive, reflecting a radical ethic of compassion, human dignity, and the provision of asylum that diverges significantly from surrounding legal traditions. It echoes Israel's own historical experience as slaves liberated from Egypt, emphasizing empathy for those seeking freedom.
Deuteronomy 23 16 Word analysis
- You shall not hand over: (Hebrew: Lo'-tasgir) Tasgir (תַּסְגִּיר) means "you shall surrender" or "you shall deliver up." The negative particle Lo' makes it an emphatic prohibition. This verb implies the act of returning or giving someone back into custody. The instruction here directly prohibits any extradition or forced return.
- to his master: (Hebrew: 'el-'adonayw) 'Adonayw (אֲדֹנָיו) means "his master" or "his lord." The term 'adon (אָדוֹן) is widely used for master, lord, or owner.
- a slave: (Hebrew: 'eved) 'Eved (עֶבֶד) generally translates to "servant," "bondservant," or "slave." In ancient Israel, this could refer to a wide range of statuses, from a voluntary bondservant, one sold due to poverty or debt, a purchased foreigner, or one taken captive in war. The law does not specify if the 'eved is a Hebrew or foreign slave, suggesting broad applicability to any who seeks refuge from oppression.
- who has escaped: (Hebrew: 'asher yinnatzel) Yinnatzel (יִנָּצֵל) comes from the root Natsal (נָצַל), meaning "to escape," "to be delivered," "to be plucked away." It conveys the idea of someone having gained freedom or fled from a state of confinement or danger. This word emphasizes that the escape is not just an act of leaving but implies seeking deliverance from an oppressive situation.
- from his master: (Hebrew: me'im 'adonayw) Reiterates the relationship from which the individual is fleeing.
- to you: (Hebrew: 'eleyka) Signifies seeking refuge specifically within the land and community of Israel. It means the fugitive has chosen Israel as their place of asylum, placing them under the protective care of the covenant people.
Deuteronomy 23 16 Bonus section
This law is often seen as a practical outworking of Israel's collective memory of being "slaves in Egypt" and the subsequent miraculous deliverance by God (Deut 5:15, 15:15). Having experienced the oppression of slavery themselves, Israel was to be different, extending mercy where other nations showed none. The specific command against returning a runaway implies that the Israelite community becomes a sanctuary, a place of safety and a pathway to new life for those fleeing hardship. This principle goes beyond merely tolerating the individual; it commands integration, allowing the escapee to live where he chooses within the community and not be oppressed (Deut 23:17 in some translations or the continuing thought into the next verses context). The divine rationale prioritizes humanitarian concerns over economic expediency, providing a blueprint for compassionate engagement with those in distress. While modern slavery is different, the core ethical demand for the liberation of the oppressed and the provision of sanctuary to those fleeing unjust conditions remains highly relevant to Christian ethics.
Deuteronomy 23 16 Commentary
Deuteronomy 23:16 is a remarkable demonstration of God's heart for justice, freedom, and compassion, especially for the marginalized. In a historical context where returning runaway slaves was standard practice, and often enforced by treaties or laws, this command to not return them was radical. It signals that God's law goes beyond mere property rights, valuing human dignity and potential suffering over the economic claims of a master. The verse implies that seeking asylum is a legitimate action, likely prompted by harsh conditions, mistreatment, or the sheer desire for liberty. By welcoming such a fugitive, Israel was meant to act as a beacon of justice, reflecting the very character of God who freed them from the slavery of Egypt. This principle aligns with God's consistent command throughout Scripture to care for the vulnerable, the sojourner, and the oppressed, affirming that human life and freedom are paramount under His covenant. This law also discourages the cruelty that might drive a person to flee and demonstrates a profound commitment to establishing a society founded on equitable principles, fostering a humane response to suffering.