King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 15:4 Mean?

Deuteronomy 15:4 in the King James Version says “Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giv... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Deuteronomy 15:4 · KJV


Context

2

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

3

Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;

4

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

5

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.

6

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.


Commentary

KJV Study 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 to inherit it. 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.

The phrase there shall be no poor among you is both promise and goal. Obedience to sabbatical laws, gleaning regulations, and other social legislation would prevent systemic poverty from developing. Periodic debt release and land redistribution (Jubilee) maintained economic mobility.

However, verse 11 later acknowledges reality - the poor would always exist due to human sin and disobedience. The tension between ideal (no poor) and reality (poor always present) demonstrates that while God's law provides framework for flourishing, human failure to observe it perpetuates poverty.

Reformed theology recognizes that comprehensive societal blessing requires comprehensive societal obedience. When nations follow God's righteous principles, flourishing results; when they reject His ways, poverty and injustice multiply.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel never fully implemented God's economic legislation. Failure to observe sabbatical years, exploitation of the poor, and neglect of social justice brought prophetic condemnation and contributed to national judgment.

The ideal of no poor among you remained unrealized in Israel's history, demonstrating that human sinfulness prevents even God's perfect law from producing perfect society without heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's ideal of eliminating poverty reveal about His concern for economic justice?
  2. How do sabbatical laws and similar legislation work to prevent systemic poverty?
  3. Why does human disobedience prevent even perfect law from producing perfect society?
  4. What is the relationship between covenant obedience and societal flourishing?
  5. How should the tension between ideal (no poor) and reality (poor always present) shape Christian social ethics?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֶ֕פֶס1 of 18

Save

H657

cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f

כִּ֛י2 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א3 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִֽהְיֶה4 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּךָ֖5 of 18
H0
אֶבְי֑וֹן6 of 18

when there shall be no poor

H34

destitute

כִּֽי7 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֙8 of 18

bless

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֙9 of 18

bless

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֣ה10 of 18

among you for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּאָ֕רֶץ11 of 18

thee in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר֙12 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֣ה13 of 18

among you for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ14 of 18

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹֽתֵן15 of 18

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֥16 of 18
H0
נַֽחֲלָ֖ה17 of 18

thee for an inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃18 of 18

to possess

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 15:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 15:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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