Deuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 15:1

ENd of euery seven yeares] Vers. 12. Exodus 21:2. & Exodus 23:11. Leviticus 25:4. Jeremiah 34:14.

Deuteronomy 15:2

shall release it] To such poore debtors as are not able to pay what is due to be paid that yeare, so it appeareth by vers. 4. This release is taken by some to be but a forbearance of payment for that yeare, which might be exacted the yeare following, but if the partie were as unable that yeare as the former, it was not then to be called for, and the lender was to expect a recompence from the blessing of God, vers. 6.

neighbour or brother] By this is understood a neighbour or brother not by communitie of humane nature, (as sometimes it is) but by nation: so that one of another nation, though a proselyte or convert, if he were not a naturall Jew, was not (as some restraine the rule) to have this priviledge, who, if they had not to pay, were to make recompence by service. But it is more probable that his Religion gave him as much priviledge as his carnall kindred could doe, and therefore that the proselyte shall be taken for a neighbour and brother, and so have as much favour for Gods sake (if not more) as for mans.

Deuteronomy 15:4

save when] Or, that there be no poore among you; That is, made poore by exacting that of them which they are not able to pay: for God will have poore alwayes for the exercise of the charitie of the rich, Vers. Matthew 26:11. though private poore, rather then publique beggers; for such are forbidden by Law, and order taken in wel-govern’d Common-wealths that there be none such.

Deuteronomy 15:6

• lend to many nations] * Chap. 28. 12. 44.

Deuteronomy 15:8

open thy hand, &c.] Matthew 5:42. Luke 6. 34. 2 Cor. 9. 5, 6.

Deuteronomy 15:9

sinne unto thee] Bring the punishment of sinne upon thee, if he stand in need of thy charitie by giving or lending, and thou withhold the reliefe, because the yeare of release is at hand.

Deuteronomy 15:10

not grieved] Charitable beneficence must be performed with cheerefull benevolence; for God not onely loveth a cheerefull giver, but bountifully rewardeth him, Vers. 18. & 14. 29. & Proverbs 11:24. & Proverbs 28:27.

Deuteronomy 15:11

the poore shall never cease] That is not contrdry to what is said, vers. 4. See the reconcilement there.

Deuteronomy 15:12

in the seventh yeare] That is, at the beginning of the seventh yeare: but the release of debts was at the end of the seventh yeare, vers. 1.

Deuteronomy 15:14

liberally] As acknowledging the blessing of God upon his labour, and conscionably recompencing his painfull and faithfull service, Vers. 18.

Deuteronomy 15:17

unto thy maid-servant] That is, for giving unto her, as unto the man-servant, Vers. 13, 14, 15. not for boring thorow the eare, which was peculiar to a man-servant.

Deuteronomy 15:18

double hired] For three yeares service was the stinted time of an hireling, Isaiah 16:14. But the Hebrew servant here spoken of served sixe yeares, which is twice so many.

Deuteronomy 15:19

nor sheare] Being appropriated to God, they must not be used for the service or advantage of man: therefore the sheepe and wooll must be given unto the Priest. Some understand this of the firstlings of the females, whereof the wooll might be a part, being offered as Peace-offerings, which seemeth to be moant, vers. 20.

Deuteronomy 15:20

before the Lord] Chap. 12. 7. 17.

Deuteronomy 15:22

the unclean and clean] Which is not lawfull, if it were offered as a peace-offering: for of such onely the cleane were partakers, Leviticus 7:20.

Deuteronomy 15:23

not eat the blood] This prohibition is often repeated for better caution against all kinde of crueltie, and because, blood was sprinkled for atonement, and so as a thing consecrated to God to be kept out of common use. See Leviticus 17:11.