English Standard Version
Deuteronomy 15:2
2And 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 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord’s release.
- New International Version (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.
- New King James Version (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.
- New Living Translation (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.
Context of Deuteronomy 15:2
1"At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. 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. 3Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release. 4But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess—
Read all of Deuteronomy 15Deuteronomy 15:2 word by word
וְזֶה֮ דְּבַ֣ר הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ שָׁמ֗וֹט כָּל־בַּ֙עַל֙ מַשֵּׁ֣ה יָד֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַשֶּׁ֖ה בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּ לֹֽא־יִגֹּ֤שׂ אֶת־רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ וְאֶת־אָחִ֔יו כִּֽי־קָרָ֥א שְׁמִטָּ֖ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- the mannerדָּבָרdâbâr · ChroniclesH1697
- of the releaseשְׁמִטָּהshemiţţâh · remissionH8059
- Every creditorיָדyâd · handH3027
- Every creditorמַשֶּׁהmashsheh · loanH4874
- Every creditorבַּעַלba‛al · master: [master of]H1167
- that lendethנָשָׁהnâshâh · to lendH5383
- unto his neighbourרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
- shall releaseשָׁמַטshâmaţ · to releaseH8058
- he shall not exactנָגַשׂnâgaώ · to oppressH5065
- or of his brotherאָח'âch · brother: compatriotH251
- because it is calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call outH7121
- the Lord’sיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
Cross-references for Deuteronomy 15:2
- Nehemiah 5:7I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, "You are exacting interest, each from his brother." And I held a great assembly against them
- Isaiah 58:3'Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
- Amos 8:4Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end,
- Matthew 6:12and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Matthew 18:25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
- Luke 6:34And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.
- Luke 7:42When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
- James 2:13For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 15:2
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-11Verses 1-11 The year of release is no doubt identical with the sabbatical year of the earlier legislation (Exodus 23:10 ff, and Leviticus 25:2 ff), the command of the older legislation being here amplified. The release was probably for the year, not total and final, and had reference only to loans lent because of poverty (compare Deuteronomy 15:4, Deuteronomy 15:7). Yet even so the law was found to be too stringent for the avarice of the people, because…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2The remission happened every seventh year across the nation ("the Sabbath year," Leviticus 25:1–7). The timing followed the national calendar, not the date when a loan was made. As a result, a loan could be canceled only one year after it was given.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it--not by an absolute discharge of the debt, but by passing over that year without exacting payment. The relief was temporary and peculiar to that year during which there was a total suspension of agricultural labor. he shall not exact it ... of his brother--that is, an Israelite, so called in opposition to a stranger or foreigner. because it is called the Lord's release--The reason…Read the comment
Topics related to Deuteronomy 15:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries