Deuteronomy 15:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 15:11 presents a foundational divine command to ancient Israel, acknowledging the persistent reality of poverty within human society while simultaneously issuing a non-negotiable imperative for radical and open-handed generosity towards the needy. This verse serves as a theological anchor for the social justice laws detailed in Deuteronomy 15, emphasizing that even with systemic provisions for the poor, individual and communal compassion remains an ongoing, essential expression of covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 15:11 is situated within a broader section of the book (Deuteronomy 12-26) that elaborates on the practical implications of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, moving from general principles to specific statutes. Chapter 15, in particular, focuses on economic and social justice, outlining laws concerning the Sabbatical year (the "year of release" for debts and land, [Deuteronomy 15:1-6](/deuteronomy/15-1 "Deuteronomy 15:1-6 - The Year of Release")), the treatment of the poor, and the release of Hebrew servants ([Deuteronomy 15:12-18](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12-18 - Release of Servants")). The preceding verses (15:7-10) directly address the command to lend freely and not harden one's heart against a needy brother. Thus, verse 11 functions as both a summary principle and a theological justification for the preceding and subsequent commands: because poverty will always exist, the divine command to be generous is perpetual. It underscores that God's covenant with Israel was not just about ritual purity but about establishing a just and compassionate society that reflected His own character.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society where land inheritance was crucial for economic stability. Without land, or if crops failed, individuals and families could quickly fall into destitution. The social safety nets we associate with modern states did not exist; instead, the community and family were the primary providers of care. The Mosaic Law, including the statutes in Deuteronomy, uniquely mandated provisions for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner, setting Israel apart from surrounding cultures that often exploited the vulnerable. These laws were designed to prevent the permanent entrenchment of poverty and to ensure that all members of the covenant community had access to basic necessities, reflecting God's concern for justice and equity. The command to "open thine hand wide" was a counter-cultural call to radical generosity in a world where self-preservation often dictated actions.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 15:11 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **God's compassionate character and His demand for justice** within His covenant people. The command to care for the poor is not merely a suggestion but a direct divine imperative, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. Secondly, it confronts the **persistent reality of poverty** in a fallen world, acknowledging that even with divine provisions, economic disparity will remain. This realism is not an excuse for inaction but a perpetual call to generosity, as seen in Jesus' later affirmation in [Matthew 26:11](/matthew/26-11 "Matthew 26:11 - The Poor You Always Have With You"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **holistic nature of covenant obedience**, where social ethics and economic justice are inseparable from religious piety. True worship involves not just ritual but also righteous living and compassionate action towards one's neighbor. Finally, it emphasizes **communal responsibility**, highlighting that care for "thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land" is a collective duty of the Israelite community, fostering solidarity and mutual support.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Poor (Hebrew, _'evyon_ / _dal_):** While the KJV uses "poor," the Hebrew often distinguishes between various states of need. The term _'evyon_ (אֶבְיוֹן) refers to one who is truly destitute, often dependent on others, and frequently associated with the oppressed. _Dal_ (דַּל) refers to one who is weak, lowly, or impoverished, often by circumstances. The use of such terms throughout Deuteronomy 15 and elsewhere emphasizes God's particular concern for those who are most vulnerable and marginalized, not just those experiencing temporary hardship.
* **Command (Hebrew, _tzavah'_):** The verb צָוָה (_tzavah_) signifies a strong, authoritative directive or mandate. It is not a suggestion or a request but a binding instruction from God. This highlights the non-negotiable nature of the call to generosity; it is an act of obedience to divine will, not merely an optional act of kindness or philanthropy.
* **Open thine hand wide (Hebrew, פָּתֹחַ תִּפְתַּח אֶת־יָדְךָ, _patuach tiftach et-yadkha_):** This phrase employs an infinitive absolute construction (the infinitive _patuach_ followed by the finite verb _tiftach_), which serves as an intensifier in Hebrew. It literally means "opening, you shall open your hand." This grammatical emphasis underscores the absolute certainty, urgency, and liberality of the command. It implies not just giving, but giving generously, wholeheartedly, and without reservation, rather than grudgingly or minimally.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the poor shall never cease out of the land:"** This opening clause is a stark, realistic observation of the human condition in a fallen world. It is not a fatalistic resignation or an excuse for inaction, but rather a preface that establishes the perpetual context for the divine command that follows. It acknowledges that opportunities for generosity will always exist because poverty, in various forms, will remain a constant reality.
* **"therefore I command thee, saying,"** This phrase unequivocally establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the subsequent instruction. The preceding observation about perpetual poverty is directly linked to God's imperative. It signifies that because poverty is a given, a continuous, mandated response is required from God's people.
* **"Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."** This is the core command, detailing the nature and recipients of the required generosity. "Open thine hand wide" (as analyzed above) demands liberal, unreserved giving. The recipients are specified as "thy brother," emphasizing the familial bond within the covenant community, and then more broadly "thy poor, and to thy needy," encompassing all those within the community who are in a state of economic vulnerability. The phrase "in thy land" highlights the immediate, local responsibility of the Israelite community to care for its own members before looking outward.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 15:11 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The opening declaration, "For the poor shall never cease out of the land," can be understood as a form of **hyperbole** or **realistic observation**, emphasizing the enduring presence of poverty rather than an absolute, literal impossibility of its eradication. This sets a pragmatic tone for the ensuing command. The most prominent device is **repetition** in the Hebrew phrase "open thine hand wide" (_patuach tiftach et-yadkha_), which utilizes an infinitive absolute construction. This **intensification** serves to underscore the absolute certainty, urgency, and liberality of the command, demanding not just an opening of the hand, but a radical, unreserved generosity. The verse also exhibits a clear **didactic tone**, characteristic of the legal and instructional portions of Deuteronomy, directly instructing the Israelites on how to live out their covenant responsibilities. The progression from a general statement to a specific, emphatic command creates a sense of **logical consequence**, where the reality of poverty necessitates a divine imperative for compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 15:11 is deeply rooted in the theological understanding of God's character as just, compassionate, and a defender of the oppressed. It reveals that true piety is not confined to ritual worship but extends to ethical conduct and social responsibility. The command to care for the poor is an outflow of Israel's identity as a people redeemed by a gracious God, who Himself heard the cry of the oppressed in Egypt. This verse establishes a fundamental principle that generosity towards the needy is not optional philanthropy but a non-negotiable act of covenant obedience, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. It reminds us that our faith must manifest in tangible acts of love and justice towards those around us.

* [Leviticus 19:9-10](/leviticus/19-9 "Leviticus 19:9-10 - Laws for the Poor and Sojourner")
* [Proverbs 28:27](/proverbs/28-27 "Proverbs 28:27 - Giving to the Poor")
* [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 15:11 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, challenging us to confront the enduring presence of poverty in our world not with despair or indifference, but with active, intentional, and generous compassion. The declaration that "the poor shall never cease out of the land" calls us to a posture of perpetual readiness to serve, reminding us that opportunities for Christ-like love will always be present. "Opening our hand wide" demands a radical generosity that goes beyond mere obligation or minimal compliance, reflecting a heart transformed by God's own boundless grace. This command compels us to look beyond ourselves, to identify the "poor and needy" within our immediate communities, and to respond with tangible resources, time, and empathy. It invites us to participate in God's ongoing work of justice and mercy, recognizing that our material blessings are not solely for personal consumption but are entrusted to us for the good of others, especially the vulnerable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways can I "open my hand wide" to the poor and needy in my immediate community today?**
* **How does the acknowledgment that "the poor shall never cease" shape my perspective on long-term engagement with issues of poverty and justice?**
* **Am I more inclined to offer minimal compliance or radical generosity when faced with opportunities to give? What might be hindering me from truly opening my hand wide?**

### FAQ

**Does "the poor shall never cease out of the land" imply that poverty is inevitable and efforts to alleviate it are futile?**

Answer: No, absolutely not. This statement is a realistic observation of the human condition in a fallen world, acknowledging that economic disparities and needs will always be present to some degree. It is not a theological justification for inaction or a fatalistic resignation to poverty. Instead, it serves as a foundational premise for the divine command that immediately follows: "therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide." The verse emphasizes that because poverty will always exist, the opportunities and the divine mandate for generosity and compassion are perpetual. It calls for a continuous, active, and open-handed response to human need, rather than a one-time effort or an excuse for indifference. The entire thrust of Deuteronomy 15, with its laws concerning debt release, lending, and care for servants, demonstrates God's deep concern for poverty alleviation and the establishment of a just society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 15:11 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament command to care for the poor was a reflection of God's character and a requirement for covenant faithfulness, Jesus perfectly embodied this principle, becoming poor Himself that we might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He identified profoundly with the marginalized and vulnerable, declaring that acts of compassion shown to "the least of these" are, in fact, done to Him ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). Jesus did not merely command generosity; He lived it out, ultimately giving His life as the supreme act of selfless love for a humanity spiritually impoverished by sin ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). The New Testament church, empowered by the Spirit, is called to continue this Christ-centered mission, reflecting His compassion by actively caring for the poor and needy, not out of legal obligation but out of gratitude for the boundless grace received ([James 2:14-17](/james/2-14 "James 2:14-17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead"), [1 John 3:17-18](/1_john/3-17 "1 John 3:17-18 - Love in Action")). Thus, Deuteronomy 15:11 is not just an ancient law, but a prophetic foreshadowing of the radical, self-giving love exemplified and commanded by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 14:7

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

Matthew 26:11

For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

John 12:8

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Deuteronomy 15:8

But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, [in that] which he wanteth.

Proverbs 22:2

¶ The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.

1 John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.