Deuteronomy 23:16

He shall dwell with thee, [even] among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him.

He shall dwell {H3427} with thee, even among {H7130} you, in that place {H4725} which he shall choose {H977} in one {H259} of thy gates {H8179}, where it liketh him best {H2896}: thou shalt not oppress {H3238} him.

Allow him to stay with you, in whichever place suits him best among your settlements; do not mistreat him.

Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him.

he shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in the place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it pleaseth him best: thou shalt not oppress him.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:16 presents a remarkable and compassionate law within the Mosaic covenant, specifically addressing the treatment of a servant or slave who has escaped from their master and sought refuge in Israel. This verse commands the Israelites not only to provide sanctuary but also to grant the escaped individual freedom to settle wherever they choose within the land, ensuring they are not oppressed.

Context

This verse directly follows Deuteronomy 23:15, which explicitly states, "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee." Together, these verses establish a unique legal precedent for ancient Israel. Unlike many surrounding cultures where runaway slaves were typically returned to their owners, often facing severe punishment, Israelite law offered a haven. This provision likely applied to foreign slaves escaping cruel masters, as Israelite indentured servants had different laws governing their release (e.g., after six years, as seen in Exodus 21:2 and Deuteronomy 15:12).

Key Themes

  • Compassion and Refuge: This ancient Israelite law demonstrates God's profound concern for the vulnerable and oppressed. It mandates providing asylum and a safe haven for those fleeing hardship, embodying a spirit of mercy.
  • Justice and Anti-Oppression: The command "thou shalt not oppress him" underscores God's unwavering opposition to mistreatment and injustice. It highlights the importance of human dignity, even for those who might be considered property in other legal systems of the time. This echoes broader biblical principles of not afflicting strangers or sojourners.
  • Freedom of Choice: The instruction that the servant "shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best" is revolutionary. It grants significant autonomy to the escaped individual, allowing them to determine their own place of dwelling and livelihood, rather than being dictated by the community or authorities.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "oppress" (KJV) in this context is often ΧœΦΈΧ—Φ·Χ₯ (lachats), which carries the strong connotation of pressing, squeezing, or afflicting. It signifies more than just unfair treatment; it implies a crushing burden or severe hardship imposed upon someone. The prohibition is against any action that would cause distress, restrict freedom, or exploit the vulnerable position of the escaped servant.

Practical Application

While the specific context of runaway servants from ancient times differs, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 23:16 remain profoundly relevant today. This verse challenges believers to:

  • Protect the Vulnerable: It calls for a compassionate response to those fleeing persecution, trafficking, or severe hardship, urging us to be a refuge for the distressed.
  • Oppose Injustice: The command not to oppress serves as a timeless reminder to stand against all forms of exploitation, forced labor, and human rights abuses in society. This aligns with the broader call to "seek justice, relieve the oppressed" (Isaiah 1:17).
  • Uphold Human Dignity: Every person, regardless of their past circumstances or societal status, deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and to have basic freedoms protected.

This ancient law serves as a powerful testament to God's character as a deliverer and protector of the marginalized, setting a high standard for human compassion and justice.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 22:21

    Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

  • Exodus 23:9

    Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 7:6

    [If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

  • Luke 15:15

    And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

  • Luke 15:24

    For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Isaiah 16:3

    Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
← Back