Deuteronomy 24 15

Deuteronomy 24:15 kjv

At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

Deuteronomy 24:15 nkjv

Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on it; lest he cry out against you to the LORD, and it be sin to you.

Deuteronomy 24:15 niv

Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 24:15 esv

You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the LORD, and you be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 24:15 nlt

You must pay them their wages each day before sunset because they are poor and are counting on it. If you don't, they might cry out to the LORD against you, and it would be counted against you as sin.

Deuteronomy 24 verses

Deuteronomy 24 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 24:15 instructs that the daily wage of a hired servant, particularly one who is poor and relies completely on that day's earnings for sustenance, must be paid by sundown on the very day it is earned. This command underscores God's deep concern for the vulnerable and economically disadvantaged, emphasizing timely justice to prevent suffering and avoid severe sin on the part of the employer. Delaying or withholding payment is seen not merely as an injustice to the person, but as an affront against God Himself, provoking a cry from the oppressed that the Lord will hear and address.

Deuteronomy 24 15 Context

Deuteronomy 24 is part of Moses' reiteration and expansion of God's covenant laws to the new generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land. This chapter contains a variety of humanitarian and ethical regulations, focusing on safeguarding the rights and well-being of the vulnerable and preventing social exploitation. Prior verses deal with diverse topics like divorce, pledge laws (which also protect debtors), and health regulations. Verse 15 specifically addresses the rights of the day-laborer, standing within a broader collection of laws designed to ensure a just and compassionate society that reflects the character of God, distinguishing Israel from surrounding nations where exploitation of the poor was common and often tolerated.

Deuteronomy 24 15 Word analysis

• At his day (בְּיוֹמוֹ - bə·yō·w·mōw): Literally "in his day." This emphasizes immediate, same-day payment. It highlights that the wage is due at the close of the work period for which it was earned. The nature of daily labor implies a direct, quick transaction.
• thou shalt give him his hire (תִּתֵּ֥ן שְׂכָרֹ֔ו - tit·tên śə·ḵā·rōw): "You shall surely give his wage." "Hire" (שְׂכָרֹ֔ו, śə·ḵā·rōw) refers specifically to his earned wage or recompense for work. The strong imperative "thou shalt give" leaves no room for evasion.
• neither shall the sun go down upon it (וְלֹא־תָבֹ֥וא עָלָ֣יו הַשֶּׁ֑מֶשׁ - wə·lō-ṯā·ḇōw’ ‘ā·lāw haš·še·meš): "And the sun shall not come upon it (while it is unpaid)." This sets the definitive deadline: sunset of the working day. It signifies the end of the 24-hour cycle from the perspective of payment obligation. This particular phrasing illustrates the absolute immediacy required.
• for he is poor (כִּי־עָנִ֣י ה֗וּא - kî-ʿā·nî hū): "For he is needy/afflicted." "Poor" (עָנִ֥י, ʿā·nî) means economically impoverished, but also encompasses the idea of being lowly, afflicted, or vulnerable. This is the divine rationale, explaining the urgency: their immediate needs depend on this payment.
• and setteth his heart upon it (וְאֵלָיו֙ נֶפְשֹׁ֣ו מֵשִׂ֔ים - wə·’ê·lāw ne·p̄šōw mê·śîm): Literally, "and toward it, his soul (or life-breath) he is placing." "Nefesh" (נֶ֣פֶשׁ) here implies his very being, his life, his sustenance, his deepest longing and dependency. The laborer's entire hope and daily survival are staked on receiving this wage promptly. It's not just money, it's life itself.
• lest he cry against thee unto the Lord (פֶּן־יִקְרָ֤א עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה - pen-yiq·rā’ ‘ā·le·ḵā ’el-Yah·weh): "Lest he call out against you to Yahweh." "Cry" (יִקְרָ֤א, yiq·rā’) implies an urgent plea or protest, an appeal for divine intervention. It is a direct invocation of God as the ultimate judge and defender of the oppressed. This is not merely a social complaint but a spiritual appeal to the highest authority.
• and it be sin unto thee (וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא - wə·hā·yāh ḇə·ḵā ḥêṭ’): "And it will be a sin for you/in you." This explicitly states the spiritual consequence. Non-payment is not just a breach of contract but an act of unrighteousness that accrues guilt before God. It contaminates the one who commits the injustice.

Deuteronomy 24 15 Bonus section

• This law serves as a vital safeguard against exploitative labor practices, embodying Yahweh's covenantal demand for a just and equitable society where even the lowest-ranking member receives dignity and timely recompense.
• The phrase "setteth his heart upon it" profoundly highlights the deep personal and existential significance of the wage for the laborer, appealing to the employer's empathy and moral responsibility.
• The immediate, tangible consequence (the "cry" to God) and the spiritual consequence ("sin unto thee") serve as powerful deterrents, establishing God as the ultimate protector and judge.
• This principle extends beyond daily wages to the broader concept of honoring financial obligations and treating those under one's care with fairness and generosity. Its spirit can be applied to any context where one party is economically dependent on another.

Deuteronomy 24 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:15 encapsulates a profound principle of social and divine justice within ancient Israelite law. It’s a radical statement, particularly when compared to other ancient Near Eastern legal codes, prioritizing the rights and immediate needs of the most vulnerable over the convenience of the employer. The rationale isn't simply economic fairness, but an expression of deep compassion rooted in God's character.

The immediacy of payment – by sundown – is crucial. For the poor daily laborer, often with no savings or land, that day's wage was essential for their family's food and survival. Delaying payment meant literal hunger, despair, and potential starvation. Thus, the command is a lifeline.

The most powerful aspect is the declaration that non-compliance leads to the laborer's "cry against thee unto the Lord." This is not an empty threat but a recognition that God Himself champions the cause of the oppressed. When the poor cry out in distress due to injustice, their voice reaches the very throne of the Creator. Such a cry, being a direct appeal to God's justice, transforms a civil dispute into a profound spiritual transgression. Therefore, withholding wages becomes "sin unto thee"—not just a social wrong, but a defilement and an offense against the holy God, incurring divine disfavor and judgment. This law teaches that true piety is inextricably linked with ethical conduct and compassion for fellow human beings, especially those most dependent and vulnerable.