TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Deuteronomy 24:14–22. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here, I. Masters are commanded to be just to their poor servants, Deu 24:14, Deu 24:15. 1. They must not oppress them, by overloading them with work, by giving them undue and unreasonable rebukes, or by withholding from them proper maintenance. A servant, though a stranger to the commonwealth of Israel, must not be abused: "For thou wast a bondman in the land where thou wast a stranger (Deu 24:18), and thou knowest what a grievous thing it is to be oppressed by a task-master, and therefore, in tenderness to those that are servants and strangers, and in gratitude to that God who set thee at liberty and settled thee in a country of thy own, thou shalt not oppress a servant." Let not masters be tyrants to their servants, for their Master is in heaven. See Job 31:13. 2. They must be faithful and punctual in paying them their wages: "At his day thou shalt give him his hire, not only pay it in time, without further delay. As soon as he had done his day's work, if he desire it, let him have his day's wages," as those labourers (Mat 20:8) when evening had come. he that works by day-wages is supposed to live from hand to mouth, and cannot have tomorrow's bread for his family till be is paid for this day's labour. If the wages be withheld, (1.) It will be grief to the servant, for, poor man, he sets his heart upon it,. or, as the word is, he lifts up his soul to it, he is earnestly desirous of it, as the reward of his work (Job 7:2), and depends upon it as the gift of God's providence for the maintenance of his family. A compassionate master, though it should be somewhat inconvenient to himself, would not disappoint the expectation of a poor servant that was so fond to think of receiving his wages. But that is not the worst. (2.) It will be guilt to the master. "The injured servant will cry against thee to the Lord; since he has no one else to appeal to, he will lodge his appeal in the court of heaven, and it will be sin to thee." Or, if he do not complain, the cause will speak for itself, the "hire of the labourers which is kept back by fraud will itself cry," Jam 5:4. It is a greater sin than most people think it is, and will be found so in the great day, to put hardships upon poor servants, labourers, and workmen, that we employ. God will do them right if men do not.
II.Magistrates and judges are commanded to be just in their administrations.
1.In those which we call pleas of the crown a standing rule is here given, that the fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children for the fathers, Deu 24:16. If the children make themselves obnoxious to the law, let them suffer for it, but let not the parents suffer either for them or with them; it is grief enough to them to see their children suffer: if the parents be guilty, let them die for their own sin; but though God, the sovereign Lord of life, sometimes visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, especially the sin of idolatry, and when he deals with nations in their national capacity, yet he does not allow men to do so. Accordingly, we find Amaziah sparing the children, even when the fathers were put to death for killing the king, Kg2 14:6. It was in an extraordinary case, and no doubt by special direction from heaven, that Saul's sons were put to death for his offence, and they died rather as sacrifices than as malefactors, Sa2 21:9, Sa2 21:14.
2.In common pleas between party and party, great care must be taken that none whose cause was just should fare the worse for their weakness, nor for their being destitute of friends, as strangers, fatherless, and widows (Deu 24:17): "Thou shalt not pervert their judgment, nor force them to give their very raiment for a pledge, by defrauding them of their right." Judges must be advocates for those that cannot speak for themselves and have no friends to speak for them.
III.The rich are commanded to be kind and charitable to the poor.
Many ways they are ordered to be so by the law of Moses. The particular instance of charity here prescribed is that they should not be greedy in gathering in their corn, and grapes, and olives, so as to be afraid of leaving any behind them, but be willing to overlook some, and let the poor have the gleanings, v. 19-22. 1. "Say not, 'It is all my own, and why should not I have it?' But learn a generous contempt of property in small matters. One sheaf or two forgotten will make thee never the poorer at the year's end, and it will do somebody good, if thou have it not." 2. "Say not, 'What I give I will give, and know whom I give it to, why should I leave it to be gathered by I know not whom, that will never thank me.' But trust God's providence with the disposal of thy charity, perhaps that will direct it to the most necessitous." Or, "Thou mayest reasonably think it will come to the hands of the most industrious, that are forward to seek and gather that which this law provides for them." 3. "Say not, 'What should the poor do with grapes and olives? It is enough for them to have bread and water;' for, since they have the same senses that the rich have, why should not they have some little share of the delights of sense?" Boaz ordered handfuls of corn to be left on purpose for Ruth, and God blessed him. All that is left is not lost.
Continue studying Deuteronomy 24:15 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Deuteronomy 24:15 presents a vital Mosaic command, stipulating that a day laborer's wages must be paid promptly, before sunset on the day of work. This divine injunction is rooted in profound compassion for the impoverished, acknowledging their absolute reliance on daily earnings for immediate sustenance. The text issues a stern warning that failure to comply constitutes a grave sin, as the laborer's cry of distress against such injustice ascends directly to the LORD, who stands as the ultimate defender and advocate for the vulnerable.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is intricately woven into a larger legislative tapestry within Deuteronomy (chapters 23-25), which meticulously outlines a diverse array of social, civil, and ethical statutes designed to govern Israelite life in the Promised Land. Specifically, Deuteronomy 24:15 immediately follows Deuteronomy 24:14, which explicitly prohibits the oppression of hired servants, whether they be fellow Israelites or resident aliens. This sequence establishes a foundational principle of equitable treatment and robust protection for the most vulnerable members of society. The laws in this section transition from specific regulations concerning marriage, divorce, and personal conduct to broader principles of justice in economic and social interactions, vividly illustrating how God's covenant with Israel was intended to permeate and sanctify every facet of daily existence. The emphasis on the prompt payment of wages is thus not an isolated decree but a direct and crucial application of the covenant's overarching call to righteousness, compassion, and social equity.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the agrarian societies of the ancient Near East, including Israel, the vast majority of the populace lived on a subsistence level, where daily labor was commonplace, and financial reserves were virtually nonexistent. Many individuals, particularly the poor and landless, functioned as day laborers, depending entirely on their daily wages to purchase food for themselves and their families. Unlike modern economies, there were no established social safety nets, banking systems, or credit facilities. A single day's wage often represented the critical difference between survival and starvation, between having shelter and being exposed. Consequently, withholding or delaying payment was not merely an inconvenience or a breach of contract; it was an act of profound oppression, potentially leading to dire suffering or even death. The divine command in Deuteronomy 24:15 therefore reflects an acute awareness of the economic realities and extreme vulnerabilities of the time, serving as a vital divine safeguard against the exploitation of those who had no other recourse.
Key Themes
Deuteronomy 24:15 powerfully articulates several core themes that are central to the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Mosaic Law. Firstly, it profoundly underscores Divine Justice and Righteousness, revealing God's immutable character as one who not only demands but actively ensures equity and fairness in all human dealings, especially within economic transactions. Secondly, it highlights Compassion for the Vulnerable, explicitly identifying the laborer as "poor" and emphasizing their desperate reliance on their wages, thereby calling for profound empathy, mercy, and ethical consideration in all economic interactions. This aligns seamlessly with the pervasive Deuteronomic emphasis on caring for the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 10:18. Thirdly, it firmly establishes God as the Defender of the Oppressed, issuing a solemn warning that the "cry" of the exploited laborer ascends directly to the LORD, who will unequivocally hold the oppressor accountable. This principle resonates throughout the Old Testament, where God is consistently portrayed as hearing the cries of the afflicted and intervening on their behalf, a foundational truth exemplified in the liberation of Israel from Egyptian bondage (e.g., Exodus 3:7).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to the payment of a contract, concretely signifying salary, fare, or maintenance. By implication, it encompasses compensation or benefit. In this context, "hire" emphasizes the just recompense due to a worker for their labor. The command to give "his hire" underscores that this is not a charitable act but a rightful earning, a debt owed for services rendered. The promptness of this payment highlights its essential nature for the laborer's immediate survival.
This word describes one who is depressed, whether in mind or circumstances; it denotes someone afflicted, humble, lowly, or needy. When applied to the laborer, it underscores their socio-economic status, emphasizing their profound vulnerability and lack of alternative means of support. The divine concern for the ʻânîy is a recurring and prominent motif throughout Mosaic Law, indicating God's special advocacy for those on the margins of society. The laborer's poverty is the explicit and primary reason given for the urgency of the payment.
This term properly refers to a breathing creature or vitality, but is used very widely in a literal, accommodated, or figurative sense, often referring to the soul, mind, or inner self. In the phrase "setteth his heart upon it," it forms a vivid idiom, literally "his soul lifts up to it." This conveys the intense longing, desperate dependence, and vital hope the laborer places on their daily wage. It signifies that the payment is not merely a desire but an absolute necessity upon which their very life, and the sustenance of their family, depends. This phrase profoundly underscores the psychological, emotional, and existential weight of the payment for the impoverished worker, making its withholding a cruel and potentially devastating act.
This primitive root means to call out to, to appeal, or to call for help, frequently in a context of distress, oppression, or injustice. In a theological context, as here, it specifically refers to an appeal made directly to God, who is understood as the ultimate judge and advocate for the wronged. The implication is that the laborer's cry is not merely a human complaint or a civil grievance but a direct petition to the divine court, invoking God's justice against the oppressor.
Verse Breakdown
"At his day thou shalt give [him] his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it;"
This opening clause establishes the core imperative of the law: payment for labor must be rendered on the very day the work is completed, and, crucially, before the setting of the sun. This strict temporal requirement underscores the absolute urgency and non-negotiable nature of the payment. It serves as a divine safeguard, preventing employers from delaying payment even by a single night, recognizing the dire and immediate consequences such a delay would have for the laborer and their household.
"for he [is] poor, and setteth his heart upon it:"
This segment provides the profound divine rationale and ethical motivation behind the command. The laborer's state of poverty (ʻânîy) and their intense, desperate reliance on that day's wage (captured by the idiom "setteth his heart upon it," literally "his soul lifts up to it") are explicitly stated as the reasons for the immediate payment. This highlights God's profound empathy for the vulnerable and His unwavering demand that economic dealings be tempered with compassion, understanding, and a recognition of fundamental human need, rather than solely driven by profit or convenience.
"lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee."
This concluding clause presents the severe consequence of disobedience, elevating the economic transaction to a spiritual plane. If the employer fails to pay promptly, the wronged laborer's cry of distress will ascend directly to the LORD (Yᵉhôvâh), signifying a direct appeal to the divine court. This is not merely a civil complaint but a spiritual offense, resulting in "sin" (chêṭᵉʼ) for the employer. It means that withholding wages is an act of injustice that God Himself takes personally, for which He will hold the oppressor accountable, demonstrating that economic exploitation is a transgression against divine righteousness.
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 24:15 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and ethically charged message. The primary device is Imperative Language, with direct, forceful commands ("thou shalt give," "neither shall the sun go down") that unequivocally establish the non-negotiable nature and immediacy of the law. This is immediately followed by Causal Reasoning ("for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it"), which provides the profound ethical and compassionate basis for the command, appealing not just to legal compliance but to moral understanding and empathy. The phrase "setteth his heart upon it" is a powerful Idiom or Metaphor, vividly illustrating the laborer's desperate dependence, intense longing, and existential reliance on their wages, making their dire need palpable to the reader. Finally, the verse culminates in a stark Warning of Consequence ("lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee"), which functions as a profound Theological Sanction. This warning elevates the economic transaction to a spiritual plane, implying an Anthropomorphic understanding of God as one who actively hears the cries of the oppressed and intervenes on their behalf, thereby transforming an act of civil injustice into a direct offense against the divine character and will.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Deuteronomy 24:15 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for the economically vulnerable and marginalized. It reveals that economic ethics are not peripheral to faith or merely a matter of civil law, but are central to covenant obedience, directly reflecting the very character of God. The command to pay promptly stems from divine compassion and a deep recognition of human dignity, asserting that the laborer's livelihood is a sacred trust. This principle resonates throughout the biblical narrative, underscoring that exploitation of the poor is an affront to God Himself, who hears their cries and acts as their ultimate advocate. This law serves as a timeless paradigm for righteous economic conduct, reminding us that how we treat those dependent on us, especially in matters of compensation and livelihood, is a direct measure of our obedience and love for God.
Reflection and Application
Deuteronomy 24:15 transcends its ancient Near Eastern context, offering enduring and universally applicable principles for ethical conduct in all relationships, particularly those involving power differentials between employer and employee, or between those with resources and those without. It calls us to cultivate a profound and active empathy for those whose livelihoods are precarious, recognizing that their daily earnings are not merely transactional but are foundational to their well-being, dignity, and survival. For employers, it serves as a timeless and urgent reminder to prioritize fair, prompt, and just compensation, viewing wages not as a burden or a discretionary expense but as a sacred obligation and a debt of honor. For all believers, this verse underscores that our economic dealings have profound spiritual implications; any act of injustice towards others, especially the vulnerable, is not merely a civil offense or a social misstep but a direct affront to God, who actively hears the cries of the oppressed. This powerful passage challenges us to meticulously examine our own practices, both personal and corporate, ensuring that our pursuit of gain or convenience never comes at the expense of another's fundamental needs or dignity, and to actively advocate for systems and policies that uphold justice, compassion, and human flourishing for all.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the immediate payment of wages so critical in this verse?
The immediate payment of wages is critical because the verse explicitly states, "for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it." In ancient Israel, like many pre-modern agrarian societies, the vast majority of people, especially day laborers, lived hand-to-mouth. They had no savings, no access to credit, and no social safety net. Their daily wage was literally what they relied upon to purchase food for themselves and their families that very day. Delaying payment, even overnight, could mean severe hunger, immense suffering, or even starvation. The phrase "setteth his heart upon it" vividly portrays their desperate dependence and longing for that payment, making its prompt delivery a matter of life and death, not just convenience. This highlights God's profound empathy for the vulnerable and His demand for immediate justice in economic dealings.
Does this command apply only to ancient Israelite society, or does it have modern relevance?
While the specific context is ancient Israel, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 24:15 are timeless and universally applicable. The command embodies God's enduring concern for justice, compassion for the poor, and the ethical treatment of all workers. In modern contexts, it translates to principles such as paying fair and living wages, ensuring timely payment of all compensation, providing safe and dignified working conditions, and recognizing the inherent dignity of labor. The spirit of the law calls us to consider the profound impact of our economic decisions and practices on the most vulnerable members of society, echoing similar New Testament admonitions against exploiting workers, as powerfully articulated in James 5:4, where the cries of defrauded laborers ascend to the Lord of Hosts.
What does it mean for it to "be sin unto thee" if the employer fails to pay?
"It be sin unto thee" means that withholding a laborer's due wage is not merely a civil offense, a breach of contract, or a social impropriety; it is a direct transgression against God Himself. The laborer's "cry against thee unto the LORD" signifies an appeal to God as the ultimate judge, advocate, and defender of the oppressed. When God hears this cry, the act of withholding wages is counted as a moral and spiritual offense, incurring divine displeasure and requiring repentance and restitution. This highlights the profound theological dimension of economic justice in the biblical worldview, where actions of oppression or injustice against the vulnerable are seen as direct affronts to God's character and His righteous standards.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Deuteronomy 24:15, with its profound emphasis on immediate justice for the poor and the sacredness of a laborer's wage, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Jesus consistently championed the cause of the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed throughout His earthly ministry, identifying intimately with "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40). His life and teachings were a living embodiment of God's heart for justice, challenging exploitative systems and offering true liberation from all forms of bondage. The "cry" of the oppressed laborer in Deuteronomy finds its profound echo in the universal human cry for deliverance from the bondage of sin and its devastating consequences. Christ, as the ultimate "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29), perfectly fulfilled the divine requirement of justice by paying the ultimate "hire" or ransom for humanity, settling the infinite debt we could never repay. Through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death on the cross, and victorious resurrection, He not only models perfect justice, compassion, and ethical conduct but also provides the means for us to be reconciled to a God who hears every cry and demands righteousness. In Christ, we witness the divine principle of prompt, complete, and gracious payment for a debt—not one we earned, but one He freely provided—thereby establishing a new kingdom where justice, mercy, and righteousness truly reign supreme (Matthew 6:33).