Deuteronomy 15:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

for there will always be poor people in the land. That is why I am giving you this order, 'You must open your hand to your poor and needy brother in your land.'

Berean Standard Bible:

For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.

American Standard Version:

For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For the poor^{H34} shall never cease^{H2308} out of^{H7130} the land^{H776}: therefore I command^{H6680} thee, saying^{H559}, Thou shalt open^{H6605} thine hand^{H3027} wide^{H6605} unto thy brother^{H251}, to thy poor^{H6041}, and to thy needy^{H34}, in thy land^{H776}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 15:11

1. **Themes:**
- **Perpetual Poverty:** The verse acknowledges the reality that poverty will always exist in the land, suggesting a recognition of economic disparity as an enduring social issue.
- **Moral Imperative to Give:** It emphasizes the responsibility of the more affluent to provide for the poor and needy, highlighting the ethical mandate to care for one's fellow community members.
- **Generosity and Compassion:** The command to "open thy hand wide" implies a generous and open-hearted response to those in need, advocating for charitable actions that go beyond mere sufficiency.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time of Writing:** Deuteronomy was written during the period of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, just before they entered the Promised Land (around the 13th century BCE, according to traditional dating).
- **Covenantal Laws:** The book presents itself as a series of speeches by Moses, reiterating the laws and covenant stipulations given by God to the Israelites. It serves as a guide for the social, religious, and ethical life of the nation.
- **Economic Regulations:** This verse is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 15:1-11) that outlines regulations for the release of debts in the seventh year, known as the "Year of Release." This practice was intended to prevent the development of a permanent underclass by periodically resetting economic conditions.
- **Social Welfare System:** The command reflects an early form of social welfare, where the community, rather than a centralized government, was responsible for the well-being of its vulnerable members.

In summary, Deuteronomy 15:11 addresses the inevitability of poverty and calls for a compassionate response from the community, emphasizing the ethical duty to support the poor and needy as a continuous obligation within Israelite society. This command is set within the broader context of economic and social laws designed to maintain social justice and cohesion in the newly forming nation of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H34
   There are 4910 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶבְיוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼebyôwn
   Pronunciation: eb-yone'
   Description: from אָבָה, in the sense of want (especially in feeling); destitute; beggar, needy, poor (man).
   
2. Strong's Number: H2308
   There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָדַל
   Transliteration: châdal
   Pronunciation: khaw-dal'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle; cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let alone, rest, be unoccupied, want.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7130
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֶרֶב
   Transliteration: qereb
   Pronunciation: keh'-reb
   Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.
   
4. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6680
   There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָוָה
   Transliteration: tsâvâh
   Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.
   
6. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
9. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6041
    There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָנִי
    Transliteration: ʻânîy
    Pronunciation: aw-nee'
    Description: from עָנָה; (practically the same as עָנָו, although the margin constantly disputes this, making עָנָו subjective and objective); depressed, in mind or circumstances; afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor.