Deuteronomy 15:1-16
creditor ....... loaned <05383 01167> [creditor that lendeth. Heb. master of the lending of his hand. exact it.]
However <0657> [Save, etc. or, To the end that there be no poor among you.]
Houbigant follows this marginal reading, to which he joins the end of the third verse, considering it as explanatory of the law; as if he had said, "Thou shalt not exact the debt that is due from thy brother, but thy hand shall release him, for this reason, that there may be no poor among you through your severity." He justly contends that the phrase {ephes kee,} can here only mean, "to the end that," being equivalent to the French {afin que.}
bless <01288> [greatly bless.]
lend ........ borrow <05670> [thou shalt lend.]
rule ......... rule <04910> [thou shalt reign.]
poor .............. condition <034> [there be.]
Lest the preceding law might render the Israelites cautious in lending to the poor, Moses here warns them against being led by so mean a principle; but to lend liberally, and God would reward them.
harden <0553> [thou shalt.]
careful <08104> [Beware.]
<01697> [thought, etc. Heb. word with thine heart of Belial. thine eye.]
cry out <07121> [he cry.]
sinned <02399> [sin unto thee.]
<03824> [thine heart.]
because <01558> [because.]
poor .......................... poor <034> [the poor.]
Although Moses, by the statutes relative to the division of the land, and inheritance, and the inalienable nature of it, had studied to prevent any Israelite from being born poor, yet he exhorts them to the exercise of the tenderest compassion and most benevolent actions; and not to refuse assistance to the decayed Israelite, though the sabbatical year drew nigh.
make sure ... open <06605> [Thou shalt.]
This is a most humane and merciful addition to the law in Ex 21:2-11; enforced upon the Israelites by the consideration of their Egyptian bondage. As a faithful servant has made no property for himself while honestly serving his master, so now, when he quits his service, he has nothing to begin the world with except what the kindness of his master may bestow upon him as a remuneration for his zeal and fidelity. Though what was to be bestowed upon servants is not fixed, yet they were to be liberally supplied. (ver. 14.)
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
