Deuteronomy 15:9
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Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Thus they were also to beware "that there was not a word in the heart, worthlessness," i.e., that a worthless thought did not arise in their hearts (בּליּעל is the predicate of the sentence, as the more precise definition of the word that was in the heart); so that one should say, "The seventh year is at hand, the year of release," sc., when I shall not be able to demand what I have lent, and "that thine eye be evil towards thy poor brother," i.e., that thou cherishest ill-will towards him (cf. Deu 28:54, Deu 28:56), "and givest him not, and he appeals to Jehovah against thee, and it becomes sin to thee," sc., which brings down upon thee the wrath of God. Deu 15:10 Thou shalt give him, and thy heart shall not become evil, i.e., discontented thereat (cf. Co2 9:7), for Jehovah will bless thee for it (cf. Pro 22:9; Pro 28:27; Psa 41:2; Mat 6:4).
Open source ↗In this chapter Moses gives orders, I. Concerning the release of debts, every seventh year (Deu 15:1-6), with a caution that this should be no hindrance to charitable lending (Deu 15:7-11). II. Concerning the release of servants after seven years' service (Deu 15:12-18). III. Concerning the sanctification of the firstlings of cattle to God (Deu 15:19, etc.).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies;
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.