King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 24:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 24:7 in the King James Version says “If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him;... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

Deuteronomy 24:7 · KJV


Context

5

When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. neither: Heb. not any thing shall pass upon him

6

No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh a man's life to pledge.

7

If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

8

Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do.

9

Remember what the LORD thy God did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. Kidnapping and human trafficking merit capital punishment - stealing persons is far more serious than stealing property. Human beings created in God's image possess inherent dignity that their commodification violates.

The phrase maketh merchandise of him condemns treating people as tradable goods. Humans are not commodities to be bought and sold but image-bearers deserving respect and freedom. Reducing persons to economic assets fundamentally violates their created nature.

The death penalty for kidnappers demonstrates the severity of this crime. While property theft merits restitution, person-theft merits death. God values human freedom and dignity supremely.

The command put evil away from among you requires capital punishment not merely for retribution but for purging wickedness from the community. Some evils are so severe they must be eliminated to preserve covenant holiness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Joseph's brothers committed this crime when they sold him into Egyptian slavery (Genesis 37:28). Though God providentially used this evil for good, the act itself merited death under God's law.

Ancient Near Eastern slave trade was extensive. This law prohibited Israelites from participating in kidnapping and trafficking fellow covenant members.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does capital punishment for kidnapping teach about the value of human freedom?
  2. How does treating people as commodities violate human dignity and created nature?
  3. Why is person-theft more serious than property theft?
  4. What does 'put evil away' teach about purging severe wickedness from community?
  5. How should this law inform Christian response to contemporary human trafficking?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּֽי1 of 17
H3588

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

יִמָּצֵ֣א2 of 17

be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

אִ֗ישׁ3 of 17

If a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

גֹּנֵ֨ב4 of 17

stealing

H1589

to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive

נֶ֤פֶשׁ5 of 17

any

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מֵֽאֶחָיו֙6 of 17

of his brethren

H251

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

מִבְּנֵ֣י7 of 17

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 17

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְהִתְעַמֶּר9 of 17

and maketh merchandise

H6014

properly, apparently to heap; figuratively, to chastise (as if piling blows); to gather grain

בּ֖וֹ10 of 17
H0
וּמְכָר֑וֹ11 of 17

of him or selleth

H4376

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

וּמֵת֙12 of 17

shall die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

הַגַּנָּ֣ב13 of 17

him then that thief

H1590

a stealer

הַה֔וּא14 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥15 of 17

and thou shalt put

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

הָרָ֖ע16 of 17

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃17 of 17

from among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)


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 24:7 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 24:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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