Deuteronomy 24:15

At his day thou shalt give [him] his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he [is] poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

At his day {H3117} thou shalt give {H5414} him his hire {H7939}, neither shall the sun {H8121} go down {H935} upon it; for he is poor {H6041}, and setteth {H5375} his heart {H5315} upon it: lest he cry {H7121} against thee unto the LORD {H3068}, and it be sin {H2399} unto thee.

You are to pay him his wages the day he earns them, before sunset; for he is poor and looks forward to being paid. Otherwise he will cry out against you to ADONAI, and it will be your sin.

You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

in his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it (for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it); lest he cry against thee unto Jehovah, and it be sin unto thee.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:15 is a powerful command within the Mosaic Law, emphasizing justice and compassion, particularly towards the poor and vulnerable in society. It addresses the crucial issue of fair labor practices and timely payment of wages.

Context

This verse is part of a broader section in Deuteronomy that outlines various social and ethical laws for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The immediate context of Deuteronomy 24:14-15 specifically deals with the treatment of hired servants, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners. In ancient Israel, many people worked as day laborers, relying solely on their daily wages for their immediate needs and the sustenance of their families. Unlike modern economies with banking and social safety nets, a day's wage was often the difference between eating and starving.

Key Themes

  • Prompt Justice: The core command is to pay a laborer "at his day" before sunset. This highlights the urgency and necessity of the payment, acknowledging that their livelihood depends on it.
  • Compassion for the Poor: The verse explicitly states, "for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it." This reveals the divine empathy for the laborer's desperate need and reliance on that wage. It's a reminder that justice must be tempered with mercy and understanding of human vulnerability.
  • God as Defender of the Oppressed: The warning, "lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee," underscores God's deep concern for the oppressed. Withholding a just wage is not merely a civil offense but a sin against God Himself, who hears the cries of those exploited. This principle is echoed in passages like Exodus 22:23-24, where God promises to hear the cry of the widow and orphan.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hire" is sakhar (Χ©ΦΈΧ‚Χ›ΦΈΧ¨), which refers to wages, reward, or recompense. The phrase "setteth his heart upon it" vividly conveys the laborer's intense dependence and longing for their pay, as it is their sole hope for survival. The notion of a "cry against thee unto the LORD" implies an appeal to God as the ultimate judge and advocate for those who cannot defend themselves, turning an act of injustice into a direct offense against the divine.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 24:15 remains highly relevant today, offering timeless principles for ethical conduct in business and employment. It calls believers to:

  • Practice Fair Labor: Employers are admonished to pay workers fairly and promptly, recognizing the value of their labor and their reliance on that income. This aligns with the New Testament emphasis on fair treatment of employees, as seen in James 5:4, which condemns those who withhold wages.
  • Cultivate Empathy: The verse encourages empathy for those whose livelihoods are precarious, prompting a compassionate approach to economic interactions.
  • Live with Integrity: It reinforces the idea that our financial dealings have spiritual implications. Injustice towards others, especially the vulnerable, is an offense against God.

This commandment serves as a foundational text for understanding God's heart for justice and economic righteousness, reminding us that how we treat others, particularly the less fortunate, is a direct reflection of our obedience to Him.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 19:13 (12 votes)

    Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

  • Proverbs 3:27 (10 votes)

    ΒΆ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].

  • Proverbs 3:28 (10 votes)

    Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

  • James 5:4 (10 votes)

    Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

  • Jeremiah 22:13 (9 votes)

    Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

  • Deuteronomy 15:9 (8 votes)

    Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.

  • Job 35:9 (5 votes)

    ΒΆ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.