King James Version
Deuteronomy 15
23 verses with commentary
The Year of Release
At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.</strong> The sabbatical year principle extended rest and release beyond the weekly Sabbath to a seven-year cycle. This mandated periodic economic reset protected the poor and prevented permanent poverty classes from developing.<br><br>The <em>release</em> (shemitah) involved forgiving debts, freeing Hebrew servants, and letting lan...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XV.
(1) **At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.**—The Law in this place is an extension of that which we find in Exodus 21:2, &c, and Leviticus 25:3, &c., There was not only to be a manumission of Hebrew slaves and a Sabbath for the land in the seventh year, but also *a release of debts, *of which all the Israelites must have the benefit.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-20. Beware that thou forget not the Lord--**After mentioning those instances of the divine goodness, Moses founded on them an argument for their future obedience.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →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. creditor: Heb. master of the lending of his hand
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong> Creditors must release debts owed by fellow Israelites every seventh year. This radical provision prevented debt from becoming perpetual slavery and maintained economic mobi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-20. Beware that thou forget not the Lord--**After mentioning those instances of the divine goodness, Moses founded on them an argument for their future obedience.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release.</strong> The distinction between foreigners and brothers reveals the covenant basis of sabbatical release. Special obligations exist within the covenant community that do not extend to outside commercial relationships.<br><br>Debts owed by <em>foreigners</em> (non-Israelites) could...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-20. Beware that thou forget not the Lord--**After mentioning those instances of the divine goodness, Moses founded on them an argument for their future obedience.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it: Save: or, To the end that there be no poor among you
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit it.</strong> This verse presents God's ideal - faithful covenant obedience should result in elimination of poverty. If Israel kept God's commands, His blessing would ensure no permanent poor class existed.<br><br>The phrase <em>there shall be no poor a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Save when there shall be no poor (man) among you.**—This clause is the source of a very interesting passage in the Acts of the Apostles, Deuteronomy 4:34, “Great grace was upon them all, *for neither was there among them any *(*one*)* that lacked” *The words at the beginning of the verse in Hebrew, “save when” may also be rendered (as in the Margin) “to the end that,” or “to such an extent t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-20. Beware that thou forget not the Lord--**After mentioning those instances of the divine goodness, Moses founded on them an argument for their future obedience.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.</strong> The promise of comprehensive blessing is conditional - <em>only if</em> Israel carefully obeys God's commands. Prosperity flows from faithfulness; poverty results from disobedience.<br><br>The emphasis <em>carefully hearken</em> demands attentiv...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Only if thou carefully hearken.**—“Then there will be none among thee in want.” So Rashi expounds, in the very spirit of the passage in Acts 4.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-20. Beware that thou forget not the Lord--**After mentioning those instances of the divine goodness, Moses founded on them an argument for their future obedience.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.</strong> The promise that <em>YHWH elohekha yebarekhekha</em> (the LORD your God will bless you) grounds Israel's economic prosperity in covenant obedience. The Hebrew <em>avat</em> (lend) pict...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **As he promised thee.**—“1 will bless thee” was said to Abram (Genesis 12:2).
**Thou Shalt lend.**—The root of the word in Hebrew is closely connected with the word for “slave.” “The borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-20. Beware that thou forget not the Lord--**After mentioning those instances of the divine goodness, Moses founded on them an argument for their future obedience.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The command: 'If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother.' The specific situation: poverty exists despite covenant blessing. The prohibition: don't 'harden heart' (<em>amats levav</em>, אָמַץ לֵבָב, strengthen/harden heart against) or 'sh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **A poor man.**-”That needeth anything.”
**Within any of thy gates.**—“The poor of thine own city come before the poor of another city.”
**Thou Shalt not harden.**—“There are some men who ‘grieve’ (grudge) whether they give or not;” therefore it is said, “Thou shalt not harden thy heart; there are some who stretch out the hand (to give), and yet close it; therefore it is said, Thou shalt not s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.</strong> The emphatic Hebrew construction <em>patoakh tiftakh</em> (opening, you shall open) and <em>ha'avet ta'avitenu</em> (lending, you shall lend) intensifies the command—generosity toward the poor is not optional but obligatory. <em>Dei makhsoro</em> (sufficient f...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Thou shalt open thine hand wide.**—“Even many times.”
**And shalt surely lend.**—“If he does not like to take it as a gift, grant it to him as a loan.”
**Sufficient for his need.**—“But it is not thy duty to make him rich.”
**In that which he wanteth.**—“Even ahorse to ride on, and a slave to run before him.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 9 De 9:1-25. Moses Dissuades Them from the Opinion of Their Own Righteousness.
**1. this day--**means this time. The Israelites had reached the confines of the promised land, but were obliged, to their great mortification, to return. But now they certainly were to enter it. No obstacle could prevent their possession; neither the fortified defenses of the towns, nor the resistance of the g...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. thought: Heb. word wicked: Heb. Belial
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.</strong> The warning <em>hishamer lekha</em> (beware/take heed) addresses internal motivation, not merely external action. A <em>davar-be...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.</strong> The emphatic <em>naton titten lo</em> (giving, you shall give) requires actual generosity, while <em>lo-yera levavkha</em> (your heart shall not be grieved/grudging)...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Thou shalt surely give.**—“Even a hundred times.”
**Him.**—“Between thee and him alone.” (Comp. “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” in Matthew 6:3). I have thought it worth while to borrow the comments of Rashi on these verses (Deuteronomy 15:7-10) almost entire, to show how well the Jews have understood the true principles of Christian charity from the law of Moses. That...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Moses states: 'For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.' The realistic acknowledgment that poverty won't be eradicated doesn't excuse indifference but intensifies obligation—ongoing need requires ongoing generosity. The command to 'open thine hand wide' suggests ge...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **For the poor shall never cease.**—There is no contradiction between this verse and Deuteronomy 15:4 above. There will always be some men falling into poverty; but it is our business to see that they do not remain in want. The poor will never cease, except by the provision made for them by their brethren. God will never make all men absolutely equal in this world.
**Thy brother, thy poor, an...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. Speak not thou in thine heart, ... saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land--**Moses takes special care to guard his countrymen against the vanity of supposing that their own merits had procured them the distinguished privilege. The Canaanites were a hopelessly corrupt race, and deserved extermination; but history relates many remarkable instances in whi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
The year of release.(1-11)
Concerning the release of servants.(12-18)
Respecting the firstlings of cattle.(19-23)
**Verses 1-11**
This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law is spiritual, and la...
Read full commentary →Release of Servants
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free</strong>—The <em>eved Ivri</em> (עֶבֶד עִבְרִי, 'Hebrew servant') entered servitude through debt (Exodus 21:2-6), not ethnicity. The <strong>seventh year</strong> echoes creation's Sabbath rest—as God ceased labor, so must economic bondage ceas...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **If thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee.**—This law is expressly referred to in Jeremiah 34:9; Jeremiah 34:13-14, as given in the time of the Exodus, and as applicable both to men and women. It first appears in Exodus 21:2-11, where it occupies the first section of the Sinaitic code. There is no need to suppose that anything enacted here is contradictory to the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. Speak not thou in thine heart, ... saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land--**Moses takes special care to guard his countrymen against the vanity of supposing that their own merits had procured them the distinguished privilege. The Canaanites were a hopelessly corrupt race, and deserved extermination; but history relates many remarkable instances in whi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-18**
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We ...
Read full commentary →And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty</strong>—Liberation without provision is cruelty. God commands <strong>furnish him liberally</strong> (הַעֲנֵיק תַּעֲנִיק, <em>ha'aneiq ta'aniq</em>, intensive: 'you shall certainly endow') from <strong>thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress</strong>—comprehensive provision enabling fresh ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4-6. Speak not thou in thine heart, ... saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land--**Moses takes special care to guard his countrymen against the vanity of supposing that their own merits had procured them the distinguished privilege. The Canaanites were a hopelessly corrupt race, and deserved extermination; but history relates many remarkable instances in whi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-18**
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We ...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him</strong>—The motivation for generosity: you're <em>redistributing</em> God's blessing, not surrendering your achievement. This destroys pride: <strong>What hast thou that thou didst not receive?</strong> (1 Corinthians 4:7). The master's wealth came from God's blessing, making stinginess toward the freed servant ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Thou shalt furnish him liberally.**—The beneficence of this provision is noticeable. Those who had fallen into poverty, when they had served their time, must be provided with means for a fresh start in life. And since the Jewish commentator regards the slavery of Hebrew men as chiefly a consequence of theft (If he be sold unto thee, “when the supreme court has sold him for his theft “), it ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-18**
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We ...
Read full commentary →And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee</strong>—The ultimate motivation: memory of your own redemption. Israel's generosity must mirror God's grace. The verb <strong>redeemed</strong> (פָּדָה, <em>padah</em>) means 'to ransom, deliver by payment'—God paid the price for Israel's freedom.<br><br>Peter applies this: <strong>Ye...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt.**—“And that I furnished and adorned thee from the spoils of Egypt and the spoils of the sea” (Rashi).
**Therefore I command thee·**—In Leviticus 25:42 the reason is given thus: “They are *my *servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as bondmen” (i.e., not for ever). The land was under the same res...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. Also in Horeb--**rather, "even in Horeb," where it might have been expected they would have acted otherwise.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-18**
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We ...
Read full commentary →And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee</strong>—The servant may <em>choose</em> permanent servitude out of love (אָהַב, <em>ahav</em>, covenant loyalty). This voluntary submission transforms the relationship: no longer debt-bondage but devoted service. <strong>He is well with thee</strong> (טו...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-18**
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We ...
Read full commentary →Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever</strong>—The ear-piercing ceremony created permanent, visible identity. The <strong>door</strong> (דֶּלֶת, <em>deleth</em>) represented the household; the pierced ear signified: 'I belong here.' The once-freed servant now bears voluntary marks of devotion.<br><br>Paul echoes this:...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **And unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise**—i.e., “in furnishing her liberally” (Rashi), and “possibly also in retaining her if she will.”
It must not be supposed that this contradicts Exodus 21:7, “She shall not go out as the menservants do.” She shall not go out *according to the going of the men-servants *(*i.e., *on the same principle). It is not said, She shall not go out at all....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-18**
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We ...
Read full commentary →It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years</strong>—God addresses the master's potential resentment. The servant provided <strong>double</strong> (מִשְׁנֶה, <em>mishneh</em>) value—slaves worked comprehensively (24/7), while hired hands worked set hours. Releasing him is econo...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-18**
Here the law concerning Hebrew servants is repeated. There is an addition, requiring the masters to put some small stock into their servants' hands to set up with for themselves, when sent out of their servitude, wherein they had received no wages. We may expect family blessings, the springs of family prosperity, when we make conscience of our duty to our family relations. We ...
Read full commentary →Consecration of Firstborn Animals
All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God</strong>—The <em>bekhor</em> (בְּכוֹר, 'firstborn') belongs to God, echoing Passover: God spared Israel's firstborn while judging Egypt's (Exodus 11-12). Sanctifying (קָדַשׁ, <em>qadash</em>, 'to set apart as holy') the firstborn acknowledges all life originates from and belongs to God....
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **All the firstling males. . . . thou shalt sanctify**—*i.e., *recognise them as the property of Jehovah by not using them for ordinary purposes. In Leviticus 27:26 we read, “No man shall sanctify it”—*i.e., *shall make it the subject of a special vow or dedication, because it already belongs to Jehovah. This is the only interpretation consistent with the context in Leviticus; for Deuteronomy...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 19-23**
Here is a direction what to do with the firstlings. We are not now limited as the Israelites were; we make no difference between a first calf, or lamb, and the rest. Let us then look to the gospel meaning of this law, devoting ourselves and the first of our time and strength to God; and using all our comforts and enjoyments to his praise, and under the direction of his law, as...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household</strong>—The firstborn animal becomes a covenant meal, eaten at the central sanctuary. Worship combines sacrifice (the animal dies) and celebration (the family feasts). This dual nature foreshadows the Lord's Supper: <strong>This is my body, which is given for you</strong...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Thou shalt eat it before the Lord thy God year by year.**—This connects the eating of the firstlings with the “second” tithe (Deuteronomy 14:23), There is some difficulty in understanding the exact relation between this precept and that which assigns the firstlings to the priests (Numbers 18:15) with the first tithe. The practical solution is to be sought in the practice of the Jews. One su...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 19-23**
Here is a direction what to do with the firstlings. We are not now limited as the Israelites were; we make no difference between a first calf, or lamb, and the rest. Let us then look to the gospel meaning of this law, devoting ourselves and the first of our time and strength to God; and using all our comforts and enjoyments to his praise, and under the direction of his law, as...
Read full commentary →And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God</strong>—Blemished animals (מוּם, <em>mum</em>, 'defect, flaw') are unacceptable offerings. God deserves <strong>the best</strong>, not leftovers. Malachi confronts Israel: <strong>Ye offer polluted bread...and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee?......
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 19-23**
Here is a direction what to do with the firstlings. We are not now limited as the Israelites were; we make no difference between a first calf, or lamb, and the rest. Let us then look to the gospel meaning of this law, devoting ourselves and the first of our time and strength to God; and using all our comforts and enjoyments to his praise, and under the direction of his law, as...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean person shall eat it alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean person shall eat it alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart</strong>—Blemished firstborn animals, unsuitable for sacrifice, may be eaten domestically as ordinary food. The <strong>unclean and the clean</strong> (ritually, not morally) may both eat—it's no longer consecrated food but common provision. Like roebuck (צְבִי, <em>tsev...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 19-23**
Here is a direction what to do with the firstlings. We are not now limited as the Israelites were; we make no difference between a first calf, or lamb, and the rest. Let us then look to the gospel meaning of this law, devoting ourselves and the first of our time and strength to God; and using all our comforts and enjoyments to his praise, and under the direction of his law, as...
Read full commentary →Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water</strong>—Even in common meals, blood remains sacred: <strong>The life of the flesh is in the blood</strong> (Leviticus 17:11). The prohibition to <strong>pour it upon the ground</strong> returns life symbolically to God—acknowledging Him as life's source and owner. This ordinance applied to all meat cons...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12-29. Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people ... have corrupted themselves--**With a view to humble them effectually, Moses proceeds to particularize some of the most atrocious instances of their infidelity. He begins with the impiety of the golden calf--an impiety which, while their miraculous emancipation from Egypt, the most stupendous displays of the Divine Majesty that wer...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 19-23**
Here is a direction what to do with the firstlings. We are not now limited as the Israelites were; we make no difference between a first calf, or lamb, and the rest. Let us then look to the gospel meaning of this law, devoting ourselves and the first of our time and strength to God; and using all our comforts and enjoyments to his praise, and under the direction of his law, as...
Read full commentary →