Deuteronomy 15:4

KJV

Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it:

KJV (with Strong's)

Save {H657} when there shall be no poor {H34} among you; for the LORD {H3068} shall greatly {H1288} bless {H1288} thee in the land {H776} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee for an inheritance {H5159} to possess {H3423} it:

Complete Jewish Bible

In spite of this, there will be no one needy among you; because ADONAI will certainly bless you in the land which ADONAI your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess -

Berean Standard Bible

There will be no poor among you, however, because the LORD will surely bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance,

American Standard Version

Howbeit there shall be no poor with thee (for Jehovah will surely bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 15:4 presents an inspiring and aspirational vision for the nation of Israel: a society so profoundly blessed by the LORD, contingent upon their faithful obedience, that the systemic presence of the poor would be eradicated among them. This verse, nestled within the broader framework of the "year of release" laws and the divine mandate to care for the vulnerable, articulates a divine ideal for communal flourishing and economic justice, emphasizing God's generous provision in the land He graciously bestowed as an inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into a crucial legislative section of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 15:1-18) that outlines the laws governing the "year of release" (the Sabbatical year) and the compassionate treatment of the poor and bondservants. The preceding verses, [Deuteronomy 15:1-3](/deuteronomy/15-1-3 "Deuteronomy 15:1-3 - The Law of Debt Remission"), establish the commandment for the remission of debts every seven years. Verse 4, with its declaration of "no poor," introduces a conditional ideal that might initially seem to conflict with the later, more pragmatic statement in [Deuteronomy 15:7](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7 - The Ongoing Presence of the Poor"), "For the poor shall never cease out of the land." This is not a contradiction, but rather a profound theological tension: verse 4 describes a state of perfect covenant obedience and overflowing divine blessing, a societal aspiration, whereas verse 7 acknowledges the persistent reality of human sin, disobedience, and the ongoing need for compassion and generosity in a fallen world. The surrounding verses elaborate on the practical implications of both this ideal and this reality, urging open-handedness and generosity towards the needy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, where land ownership was the bedrock of economic security, identity, and social standing. Economic hardship, often triggered by crop failures, illness, or natural disasters, frequently led to debt, which could escalate into severe poverty and even debt slavery. The Mosaic Law, uniquely among Ancient Near Eastern legal codes, provided a comprehensive social safety net through institutions like the Sabbatical and Jubilee cycles (cf. [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Sabbatical and Jubilee Years")). These cycles were designed to prevent permanent economic stratification, ensure the periodic return of ancestral land, and preserve family inheritances, thereby mitigating the accumulation of wealth by a few and the perpetual impoverishment of others. The concept of the land as a divine "inheritance" (Hebrew: _naḥălâ_) was central, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and generosity, and reminding Israel that their prosperity was a gracious gift, not merely the product of their own labor or conquest.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 15:4 significantly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. It powerfully highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Provision**, emphasizing that the land, its produce, and all blessings flow directly from the LORD, who is the ultimate source of Israel's well-being and prosperity. The verse profoundly underscores the theme of **Covenant Obedience and Blessing**, making it unequivocally clear that the ideal state of "no poor" is directly contingent upon Israel's faithful adherence to God's commands and statutes (cf. the extensive blessings for obedience detailed in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")). It presents a radical vision of **Social Justice and Compassion**, revealing God's deep concern for the vulnerable and His desire for a society free from destitution and systemic want. Finally, the verse establishes a crucial and enduring tension between the **Divine Ideal and Human Reality**, articulating what God desires for His people versus what often transpires due to human sin and disobedience, thereby necessitating ongoing acts of charity, justice, and generosity, as further detailed in [Deuteronomy 15:7-11](/deuteronomy/15-7-11 "Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - Open Your Hand to Your Brother").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Save (Hebrew, _ʼepheç'_):** This word, H657, means "cessation, i.e. an end" and is often used adverbially to mean "no further" or "without." In this context, combined with the following particle, it functions to introduce a conditional clause, indicating "except when" or "provided that." It sets up a hypothetical scenario where the preceding laws regarding debt remission might become unnecessary because the ideal condition of "no poor" has been met. This highlights the aspirational and conditional nature of the statement.
* **Poor (Hebrew, _ʼebyôwn'_):** This term, H34, derived from a root meaning "to want," specifically refers to someone who is destitute, needy, or dependent. Unlike general terms for poverty, _ʼebyôwn_ often connotes a state of extreme vulnerability and helplessness, emphasizing the individual's reliance on the compassion and justice of others—particularly God and His covenant people—for survival. The ideal of "no _ʼebyôwn_" signifies a society where such extreme and systemic vulnerability is absent.
* **Bless (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** This primitive root, H1288, means "to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit)." When used in an intensive verbal construction, as it is here ("greatly bless" or "bless abundantly"), it conveys the idea of an overflowing, overwhelming, and continuous outpouring of divine favor. This blessing from the LORD leads to comprehensive prosperity, well-being, and flourishing in every aspect of life, underscoring the magnitude and certainty of God's promised provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Save when there shall be no poor among you;":** This initial clause establishes a profound, albeit conditional, ideal for Israelite society. It posits that if the nation were in a state of perfect covenant obedience, the abundant blessings poured out by God would be so comprehensive that the systemic presence of the destitute (_ʼebyôwn_) would cease. This is a vision of communal economic flourishing, where the need for specific debt remission laws, particularly for the poor, would diminish or disappear due to widespread prosperity and equitable distribution.
* **"for the LORD shall greatly bless thee":** This phrase provides the divine rationale and the operative mechanism for the ideal state described in the first clause. The eradication of poverty is not attributed to human ingenuity, economic policies, or social programs alone, but directly to the LORD's active, abundant, and overwhelming blessing. It firmly underscores God's sovereignty as the ultimate provider and His deep desire for the holistic prosperity of His people. The intensive verbal construction emphasizes the magnitude and certainty of this divine favor.
* **"in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it:":** This concluding clause grounds the promise of blessing and the ideal of a poverty-free society within the specific, covenantal context of the Promised Land. The land is presented not as a territory conquered by human might but as a gracious gift and a permanent "inheritance" (_nachălâh_) from God. This reinforces the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, reminding them that their possession and sustained prosperity in the land are entirely dependent on God's faithfulness and their responsive, ongoing obedience to His commands.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 15:4 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is the use of a **Conditional Clause** ("Save when there shall be no poor among you"), which introduces a hypothetical, aspirational scenario. This sets up an ideal that stands in deliberate **Tension** or **Antithesis** with the later acknowledgment of persistent poverty in [Deuteronomy 15:7](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7 - The Ongoing Presence of the Poor"), highlighting the gap between God's perfect will and human imperfection. The phrase "greatly bless" utilizes **Intensive Language** through the Hebrew infinitive absolute construction (_bārak yebārek_), emphasizing the overwhelming abundance, certainty, and comprehensive nature of God's promised provision. Furthermore, the verse is rich in **Covenant Language**, repeatedly referring to "the LORD thy God" and the land as an "inheritance" that God "giveth thee," which reinforces the foundational relationship between God and Israel and the conditional nature of their blessings within that covenant. The entire statement functions as a form of **Divine Promise**, contingent upon Israel's faithfulness, painting a vivid picture of what a truly obedient and divinely blessed society could achieve.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 15:4 profoundly reveals God's character and His ultimate vision for humanity: a desire for holistic flourishing and the eradication of systemic poverty. It underscores the foundational principle that true prosperity, both for individuals and for the community, is ultimately a gracious gift from God, contingent upon faithful obedience to His covenant. While the ideal of "no poor" was never fully realized in ancient Israel due to human sin and disobedience, this verse serves as a perpetual reminder of God's original intent for His creation—a world free from want, injustice, and destitution. It highlights God's deep heart for the vulnerable and His expectation that His people would reflect His generosity, justice, and compassion in their economic and social structures. This divine ideal challenges all societies, both ancient and modern, to strive for equitable distribution of resources and compassionate care for those in need, recognizing that genuine blessing involves the well-being of all members of the community, not just a select few.

* [Deuteronomy 15:7](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7 - The Poor Will Always Be With You")
* [Leviticus 25:18-19](/leviticus/25-18-19 "Leviticus 25:18-19 - Blessings for Obedience in the Land")
* [Proverbs 19:17](/proverbs/19-17 "Proverbs 19:17 - Lending to the Poor is Lending to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 15:4, while rooted in a conditional ideal for ancient Israel, resonates with timeless truths about God's character and our human responsibility. It unveils God's ultimate desire for a society where no one suffers from destitution, presenting a vision of abundant provision and profound communal solidarity. This challenges us to move beyond mere acts of charity to systemic justice, prompting us to critically examine what conditions, both individually and corporately, might hinder or promote such divine blessing in our own communities and nations. While perfect obedience and a completely poverty-free world may seem unattainable in our fallen reality, this verse calls us to strive continually towards God's ideal, inspiring us to actively work for economic equity, advocate for the vulnerable, and practice radical generosity. Our faithfulness in stewardship, our unwavering commitment to justice, and our compassion for the needy are all tangible reflections of God's heart and essential steps towards embodying His kingdom values in the present age. It prompts us to trust in God's capacity to "greatly bless" and to live in a way that demonstrates that trust, not solely for our own prosperity, but for the holistic flourishing of all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's ideal for society and economic justice, particularly in contrast to the realities we observe today?**
* **In what practical ways can we, as individuals and communities, work towards a more equitable and compassionate society that reflects God's heart for the poor, even if the ideal of "no poor" remains a future hope?**
* **What does "greatly bless" mean for us today, beyond material prosperity, and how does our obedience and stewardship relate to receiving and channeling such blessings for the good of others?**

### FAQ
**Does Deuteronomy 15:4 contradict Deuteronomy 15:7, which states, "For the poor shall never cease out of the land"?**

Answer: No, these verses do not contradict each other; instead, they present a profound theological tension between God's ideal will and the reality of a fallen world. [Deuteronomy 15:4](/deuteronomy/15-4 "Deuteronomy 15:4 - The Ideal of No Poor") describes a hypothetical, aspirational state: if Israel were perfectly obedient to God's covenant, His abundant blessings would be so overwhelming that poverty would be eradicated among them. It paints a picture of what a truly righteous and blessed society could look like, a divine aspiration. [Deuteronomy 15:7](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7 - The Ongoing Presence of the Poor"), on the other hand, acknowledges the practical reality that, due to human sin, disobedience, and the brokenness of the world, poverty would indeed persist. Therefore, the subsequent verses (Deuteronomy 15:7-11) immediately follow with commands to be open-handed and generous towards the poor, recognizing that while the ideal was not achieved, the responsibility to care for the needy remains constant. Jesus Himself later echoed this reality in [Matthew 26:11](/matthew/26-11 "Matthew 26:11 - Jesus on the Poor Always Being Present"), stating, "For you always have the poor with you."

**Was the ideal of "no poor" ever fully realized in ancient Israel?**

Answer: No, the biblical narrative and historical records unequivocally indicate that the ideal of "no poor" was never fully realized in ancient Israel. While there were periods of relative prosperity and attempts at religious and social reform, the persistent presence of the poor and vulnerable is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. This reality necessitated the ongoing application of Mosaic laws related to social justice, gleaning, and specific provisions for the widow, orphan, and sojourner. The prophets frequently condemned Israel for failing to uphold these very laws and for actively oppressing the poor (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6-7 "Amos 2:6-7 - Oppression of the Poor") or [Isaiah 10:1-2](/isaiah/10-1-2 "Isaiah 10:1-2 - Woe to Unjust Rulers")). Deuteronomy 15:4 thus served as a constant reminder of God's perfect will and a divine standard against which Israel's faithfulness and social practices could be measured, highlighting their consistent failure to live up to the full implications of their covenant with Yahweh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 15:4, with its profound vision of a poverty-free society achieved through divine blessing and perfect covenant obedience, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the inauguration of His kingdom. While ancient Israel consistently failed to realize this ideal due to their disobedience, Jesus embodies God's perfect obedience and brings about the ultimate, comprehensive blessing. He, "though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Christ identifies profoundly with the poor and marginalized, declaring that acts of compassion towards "the least of these" are, in essence, acts done directly to Him ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These")). His earthly ministry inaugurated a kingdom where the poor are blessed ([Luke 6:20](/luke/6-20 "Luke 6:20 - Blessings for the Poor")), and His atoning work on the cross provides not just spiritual redemption but also the foundational basis for holistic restoration, pointing to a future where all human needs are met. The Church, as Christ's body on earth, is called to live out a foretaste of this kingdom ideal, sharing resources and caring for the needy as powerfully demonstrated in the early Christian community ([Acts 2:44-45](/acts/2-44-45 "Acts 2:44-45 - The Early Church's Communal Life")). Ultimately, the promise of "no poor" is fully and perfectly realized in the new heavens and new earth, where God's perfect, sovereign reign will eliminate all suffering, hunger, thirst, and want ([Revelation 7:16](/revelation/7-16 "Revelation 7:16 - No More Hunger or Thirst"), [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")), establishing a permanent, blessed inheritance for all who are found in 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

Isaiah 58:10

And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:

Isaiah 58:11

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Proverbs 28:27

¶ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Deuteronomy 28:11

And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Proverbs 11:24

¶ There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to poverty.

Proverbs 11:25

¶ The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Deuteronomy 14:29

And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.