King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 24:14 Mean?

Deuteronomy 24:14 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:”

Deuteronomy 24:14 · KJV

Context

12

And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:

13

In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.

14

Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:

15

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. setteth: Heb. lifteth his soul unto it

16

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Read Deuteronomy 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy—The Hebrew lo ta'ashoq sakhir ani ve-evyon ("you shall not oppress a hired servant poor and needy") uses ashaq (oppress/defraud), which means to withhold what is owed, particularly wages. This isn't charity but justice—paying fairly for labor rendered. Sakhir (hired servant/day laborer) describes someone without land who depends on daily wages for survival, making prompt payment crucial.

Whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates—The law extends to both Israelites (achekha, "your brothers") and foreigners (gerekha, "your sojourners"). God's justice transcends ethnic boundaries, protecting vulnerable workers regardless of nationality. This radical inclusivity distinguished Israel from surrounding cultures where foreigners had few legal protections.

James rebukes oppressive employers using this law's language: "Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth" (James 5:4). Paul affirms: "The labourer is worthy of his reward" (1 Timothy 5:18), applying this principle to ministerial support.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient agrarian economies (circa 1406 BCE), day laborers were the poorest class—landless workers who depended on daily wages to buy that day's food. Delays in payment meant their families went hungry. Harvest seasons created temporary labor demand, and unscrupulous landowners might exploit workers' desperation. This law, coupled with Leviticus 19:13 ("the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning"), mandated same-day payment. This protection exceeded most ancient Near Eastern legal codes, which typically favored property owners over workers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern for prompt and fair payment of poor workers challenge modern employment practices and attitudes toward minimum wage, contract workers, and economic inequality?
  2. In what ways does the law's extension to foreign workers reveal God's heart for justice that transcends national and ethnic boundaries, and how should this shape Christian engagement with immigration and labor issues?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
לֹֽא1 of 11
H3808

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

תַעֲשֹׁ֥ק2 of 11

“Thou shalt not oppress”

H6231

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

שָׂכִ֖יר3 of 11

“an hired servant”

H7916

a man who is hired by the day or year

עָנִ֣י4 of 11

“that is poor”

H6041

depressed, in mind or circumstances

וְאֶבְי֑וֹן5 of 11

“and needy”

H34

destitute

מֵֽאַחֶ֕יךָ6 of 11

“whether he be of thy brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

א֧וֹ7 of 11
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

מִגֵּֽרְךָ֛8 of 11

“or of thy strangers”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 11
H834

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

בְּאַרְצְךָ֖10 of 11

“that are in thy land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בִּשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ׃11 of 11

“within thy gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

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 24:14 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 24:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 3:5Proverbs 14:31Proverbs 22:16Amos 4:1Job 24:10-11Leviticus 25:35-43

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