King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"If a slave has escaped from his master and taken refuge with you, you are not to hand him back to his master.
Berean Standard Bible:
Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant that is escaped from his master unto thee:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not deliver{H5462} unto his master{H113} the servant{H5650} which is escaped{H5337} from his master{H113} unto thee:
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 30:15
- And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.
Obadiah 1:14
- Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 23:15
Deuteronomy 23:15 is part of the broader legal and moral code given by Moses to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This particular verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where slavery was a common institution, and runaway slaves were a reality. The verse commands the Israelites not to return a runaway slave to their master, implying a form of asylum for such individuals. This reflects a significant ethical advancement for the time, as it limits the power of a master over a slave and acknowledges the humanity and autonomy of the escaped servant.
In its historical context, this commandment can be seen as a way of promoting social justice and compassion within the community. It stands in contrast to the practices of many surrounding cultures, where the return of fugitive slaves was expected and legally enforced. By instructing the Israelites to allow the escaped servant to live among them, the verse emphasizes the value of human freedom and dignity, and it encourages a communal responsibility to protect the vulnerable and oppressed.
The theme of this verse aligns with other biblical teachings that advocate for the fair treatment of the disadvantaged, including strangers, widows, and orphans. It also prefigures the broader biblical narrative of liberation, most notably the exodus from Egypt, where the Israelites themselves were delivered from slavery. By prohibiting the forcible return of a runaway slave, Deuteronomy 23:15 underscores the importance of compassion and respect for the freedom of all individuals, regardless of their social status.
*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: H5462
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָגַר
Transliteration: çâgar
Pronunciation: saw-gar'
Description: a primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender; close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, [idiom] pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, [idiom] straitly. - Strong's Number: H113
There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדוֹן
Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
Pronunciation: aw-done'
Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H5337
There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַל
Transliteration: nâtsal
Pronunciation: naw-tsal'
Description: a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense; [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out).