Deuteronomy 15:8
New International Version
Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.

New Living Translation
Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need.

English Standard Version
but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.

Berean Standard Bible
Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.

King James Bible
But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

New King James Version
but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

New American Standard Bible
but you shall fully open your hand to him, and generously lend him enough for his need in whatever he lacks.

NASB 1995
but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.

NASB 1977
but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.

Legacy Standard Bible
but you shall freely open your hand to him and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.

Amplified Bible
but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend to him whatever he needs.

Christian Standard Bible
Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has.

American Standard Version
but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth.

Contemporary English Version
Instead, be kind and lend them what they need.

English Revised Version
but thou shalt surely open thine hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be generous to these poor people, and freely lend them as much as they need. Never be hard-hearted and tight-fisted with them.

Good News Translation
Instead, be generous and lend them as much as they need.

International Standard Version
Instead, be sure to open your hand to him and lend him enough to lessen his need.

Majority Standard Bible
Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.

NET Bible
Instead, you must be sure to open your hand to him and generously lend him whatever he needs.

New Heart English Bible
but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks.

Webster's Bible Translation
But thou shalt open thy hand wide to him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

World English Bible
but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for you certainly open your hand to him, and certainly lend him sufficiency for his lack which he lacks.

Young's Literal Translation
for thou dost certainly open thy hand to him, and dost certainly lend him sufficient for his lack which he lacketh.

Smith's Literal Translation
For opening, thou shalt open thy hand to him, and lending, thou shalt lend him a sufficiency for his want which he shall want.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But shalt open it to the poor man, thou shalt lend him, that which thou perceivest he hath need of.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Instead, you shall open your hand to the poor, and you shall lend to him whatever you perceive him to need.

New American Bible
Instead, you shall freely open your hand and generously lend what suffices to meet that need.

New Revised Standard Version
You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But you shall open your hand wide to him, and shall surely lend him whatsoever he lacks.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But open to him your hand and lend him anything that is lacking to him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt surely open thine hands to him, and shalt lend to him as much as he wants according to his need.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
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.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Luke 6:34-35
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. / But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Acts 20:35
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Proverbs 28:27
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

Psalm 112:5
It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.

Luke 14:13-14
But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Proverbs 21:26
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.


Treasury of Scripture

But you shall open your hand wide to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wants.

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Bountifully Hand Lack Lend Need Needs Open Openhanded Pledge Rather Sufficient Surely Use Wanteth Wants Whatever Wide
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Bountifully Hand Lack Lend Need Needs Open Openhanded Pledge Rather Sufficient Surely Use Wanteth Wants Whatever Wide
Deuteronomy 15
1. The seventh year a year of release for the poor
7. one must be generous in lending or giving
12. A Hebrew servant, except by choice, must be freed in the seventh year
19. All firstborn males of the cattle are to be sanctified unto the Lord.














Instead
The word "instead" serves as a pivotal transition, indicating a shift from a previous command or expectation. In the context of Deuteronomy 15, this word contrasts the natural human inclination to withhold generosity, especially as the year of release approaches. The Hebrew root here suggests a deliberate choice to act contrary to self-interest, emphasizing the call to align one's actions with God's will rather than societal norms.

you are to open your hand
This phrase is rich with imagery and cultural significance. In ancient Hebrew culture, an open hand symbolizes generosity, willingness, and vulnerability. The act of opening one's hand is a physical manifestation of an open heart. The Hebrew verb "patah" conveys the idea of releasing or setting free, which aligns with the broader theme of liberation and provision in the Sabbatical year. This command challenges believers to practice radical generosity, reflecting God's own open-handedness towards humanity.

to him
The pronoun "him" personalizes the command, directing the action towards an individual in need. This specificity underscores the relational aspect of the law, reminding the Israelites that their obligations are not abstract but directed towards real people within their community. It reflects the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor and recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of each person.

and freely loan him
The concept of a "free loan" is revolutionary, especially in a historical context where loans often came with interest or conditions. The Hebrew word "lavah" implies lending without expectation of repayment, reflecting God's grace. This command encourages believers to mirror God's generosity, offering help without strings attached. It challenges the community to trust in God's provision rather than relying on human calculations of risk and reward.

whatever he needs
This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command. The Hebrew term "kol" (translated as "whatever") suggests totality and completeness. It calls for a response that meets the full extent of the individual's needs, not just a token gesture. This reflects the biblical principle of abundance, where God's provision is not limited or rationed. It challenges believers to assess and address the genuine needs of others, trusting that God will supply their own needs in return.

(8) Thou shalt open thine hand wide.--"Even many times."

And shalt surely lend.--"If he does not like to take it as a gift, grant it to him as a loan."

Sufficient for his need.--"But it is not thy duty to make him rich."

In that which he wanteth.--"Even ahorse to ride on, and a slave to run before him."

Verse 8. - Sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth; literally, the sufficiency of his need which he needeth, i.e. whatever he might need to meet his requirements.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Instead,
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you are to open
פָתֹ֧חַ (p̄ā·ṯō·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

your hand
יָדְךָ֖ (yā·ḏə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

to him
ל֑וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and freely loan
וְהַעֲבֵט֙ (wə·ha·‘ă·ḇêṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5670: To pawn, to lend, to entangle

him
תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּ (ta·‘ă·ḇî·ṭen·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5670: To pawn, to lend, to entangle

whatever
דֵּ֚י (dê)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough

he needs.
מַחְסֹר֔וֹ (maḥ·sō·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4270: A need, thing needed, poverty


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 15:8 But you shall surely open your hand (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 15:7
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