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Deuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 15 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Deuteronomy 15 lays out a rhythm of release, mercy, and worship in Israel's life. It joins debt cancellation, care for the poor, fair treatment of servants, and devotion to God through the firstborn of the herds and flocks. The chapter shows how obedience should shape both money and compassion.

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What happens in Deuteronomy 15?

The chapter begins with the seventh-year release, when debts among Israelites are canceled. It then warns against closed-handedness toward the poor and commands generous lending, with the promise of God's blessing. Next, it addresses Hebrew servants, requiring release after six years and provision for them when they leave, grounded in Israel's own rescue from slavery. The chapter ends with instructions about setting apart the firstborn animals to the LORD, including how they are to be eaten and what to do with an animal that has a defect.

Deuteronomy 15 belongs to Moses' covenant instructions for Israel before they enter the land. It follows laws about worship and clean living, and it moves into practical community life: economics, social care, and worship. The chapter fits into a larger section that applies God's covenant to everyday relationships and shared responsibility.

Themes to notice

  • Debt releaseEvery seventh year debts among Israelites were to be canceled as an act of obedience to the LORD.
  • Generous mercyGod's people are told to open their hands to the poor and needy instead of holding back.
  • Freedom and offeringServants are to be released with care, and the firstborn animals are to be set apart for the LORD.

Questions for Deuteronomy 15

  • What does the seventh-year release teach about trust in God's provision?
  • How does this chapter challenge the way you respond to people in need?
  • Why does Moses connect the freeing of servants with Israel's own redemption from Egypt?

Read the full text of Deuteronomy 15 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Deuteronomy 15

The Seventh Year

1At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.2This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.3You may collect something from a foreigner, but you must forgive whatever your brother owes you.4There 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,5if only you obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commandments I am giving you today.6When the LORD your God blesses you as He has promised, you will lend to many nations but borrow from none; you will rule over many nations but be ruled by none.

Generosity in Lending and Giving

7If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.8Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.9Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.10Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand.11For 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.

Hebrew Servants

12If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free.13And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed.14You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.15Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; that is why I am giving you this command today.16But if your servant says to you, ‘I do not want to leave you,’ because he loves you and your household and is well off with you,17then take an awl and pierce it through his ear into the door, and he will become your servant for life. And treat your maidservant the same way.18Do not regard it as a hardship to set your servant free, because his six years of service were worth twice the wages of a hired hand. And the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.

Firstborn Animals

19You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.20Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose.21But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.22Eat it within your gates; both the ceremonially unclean and clean may eat it as they would a gazelle or a deer.23But you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.

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