King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Guard yourself against allowing your heart to entertain the mean-spirited thought that because the seventh year, the year of sh'mittah is at hand, you would be stingy toward your needy brother and not give him anything; for then he may cry out to ADONAI against you, and it will be your sin.
Berean Standard Bible:
Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
American Standard Version:
Beware that there be not a base thought in thy heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou give him nought; and he cry unto Jehovah against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Beware{H8104} that there be not a thought{H1697} in thy wicked{H1100} heart{H3824}, saying{H559}, The seventh{H7651} year{H8141}, the year{H8141} of release{H8059}, is at hand{H7126}; and thine eye{H5869} be evil{H7489} against thy poor{H34} brother{H251}, and thou givest{H5414} him nought; and he cry{H7121} unto the LORD{H3068} against thee, and it be sin{H2399} unto thee.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 24:15
- 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.
Matthew 20:15
- Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Mark 7:21
- For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mark 7:22
- Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
Exodus 22:23
- If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
James 5:9
- Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Jeremiah 17:10
- I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 15:9
Deuteronomy 15:9 is a part of the broader legal and ethical framework laid out in the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Torah and the Old Testament. This verse specifically addresses the economic and social practices of the Israelite community, particularly in relation to the Year of Release, or Shemitah. The Shemitah was a sabbatical year that occurred every seven years, during which debts were to be forgiven (Deuteronomy 15:1-2), fields were left fallow, and slaves were to be set free (Exodus 21:2).
The verse warns against harboring a "wicked heart" that might exploit the approach of the Shemitah year. It cautions against the temptation to withhold assistance to a poor brother under the pretext that the year of debt release is near, and thus any loans would soon be canceled. The text emphasizes the importance of continuing to generously support the needy without such calculating thoughts, as denying help to the poor could lead them to cry out to God, resulting in sin for the one who refused to lend.
Historically, this commandment was designed to foster a society characterized by economic justice and compassion. It sought to prevent the exploitation of the poor and to encourage a culture of generosity and trust in God's provision, even when conventional wisdom might suggest being more cautious with one's resources. The underlying themes of Deuteronomy 15:9 are ethical behavior, social responsibility, and the necessity of maintaining a compassionate heart towards the less fortunate, especially within the covenantal community of Israel. This verse reflects the broader biblical concern for the marginalized and the call for righteous action in accordance with God's laws.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8104
There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַר
Transliteration: shâmar
Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H1100
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּלִיַּעַל
Transliteration: bᵉlîyaʻal
Pronunciation: bel-e-yah'-al
Description: from בְּלִי and יַעַל;(often in connection with אִישׁ, אִשָּׁה, בֵּן, etc.); without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness; Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked. - Strong's Number: H3824
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵבָב
Transliteration: lêbâb
Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. - 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. - Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). - Strong's Number: H8059
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁמִטָּה
Transliteration: shᵉmiṭṭâh
Pronunciation: shem-it-taw'
Description: from שָׁמַט; remission (of debt) or suspension of labor); release. - Strong's Number: H7126
There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרַב
Transliteration: qârab
Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H7489
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעַע
Transliteration: râʻaʻ
Pronunciation: raw-ah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally); afflict, associate selves (by mistake for רָעָה), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for רָעָה), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. - 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). - 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-'. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H2399
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵטְא
Transliteration: chêṭᵉʼ
Pronunciation: khate
Description: from חָטָא; a crime or its penalty; fault, [idiom] grievously, offence, (punishment of) sin.