Keraia
Deuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 15:4

The Seventh Year · Deuteronomy 15:1–6
Read Deuteronomy 15

Translations

Modern
There 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,
Traditional
Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:
Literal
The end is, however, that there shall be among you no poor, for YHWH will greatly bless you in the land that YHWH your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess—
Latin
Et omnino indigens et mendicus non erit inter vos: ut benedicat tibi Dominus Deus tuus in terra, quam traditurus est tibi in possessionem.

Original

Hebrew
English
There 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,

Notes

Deuteronomy 15:4

If Israel had obeyed the covenant fully, there would have been no poor people in the nation.

However, this ideal situation never became reality in ancient Israel. Poverty remained a serious problem among the people.

Deuteronomy 15:1–23

The law of Moses included rules about borrowing and lending. Here, God commanded Israel to cancel debts in the seventh year and to lend generously to the poor.

These laws helped poor people survive times of need. They also placed limits on the wealthy so they would not take advantage of those who were vulnerable.

Parallels

Exodus 23:10–13 Leviticus 25:1–7

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Banker, Banking Beggar Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Debt Deuteronomy, Book of Feasts and Festivals of Israel Humility Poor, the Sabbath

Topics

Blessing: Contingent Upon Obedience Blessing: Temporal, from God God: Providence of Investment Lending: General Scriptures Concerning Poor: Duty To Sabbatic Year: Creditors Required to Release Debtors In