Deuteronomy 15:2
New International Version
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.

New Living Translation
This is how it must be done. Everyone must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the LORD’s time of release has arrived.

English Standard Version
And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the LORD’s release has been proclaimed.

Berean Standard Bible
This 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.

King James Bible
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.

New King James Version
And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD’s release.

New American Standard Bible
And this is the regulation for the release of debts: every creditor is to forgive what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not require it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’S release has been proclaimed.

NASB 1995
“This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’S remission has been proclaimed.

NASB 1977
“And this is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’s remission has been proclaimed.

Legacy Standard Bible
And this is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother because the remission from Yahweh has been proclaimed.

Amplified Bible
This is the regulation for the release: every creditor shall forgive what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not require repayment from his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’S release has been proclaimed.

Christian Standard Bible
This is how to cancel debt: Every creditor is to cancel what he has lent his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s release of debts has been proclaimed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is how to cancel debt: Every creditor is to cancel what he has lent his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s release of debts has been proclaimed.

American Standard Version
And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because Jehovah's release hath been proclaimed.

English Revised Version
And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbour; he shall not exact it of his neighbour and his brother; because the LORD'S release hath been proclaimed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what you will do: If you've made a loan, don't collect payment on the debt your neighbor still owes you. Don't demand that your neighbor or relative pay you, because the [time] for suspending payments on debts has been proclaimed in the LORD's honor.

Good News Translation
This is how it is to be done. Each of you who has lent money to any Israelite is to cancel the debt; you must not try to collect the money; the LORD himself has declared the debt canceled.

International Standard Version
This is the way to conduct remission: every creditor must cancel the loan that his friend borrowed, and he must not pressure his friend or brother to repay it, because remission to the LORD will be proclaimed.

Majority Standard Bible
This 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.

NET Bible
This is the nature of the cancellation: Every creditor must remit what he has loaned to another person; he must not force payment from his fellow Israelite, for it is to be recognized as "the LORD's cancellation of debts."

New Heart English Bible
This is the way of the release: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because the LORD's release has been proclaimed.

Webster's Bible Translation
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth aught to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.

World English Bible
This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother, because Yahweh’s release has been proclaimed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and this [is] the matter of the release: every owner of a loan [is] to release his hand which he lifts up against his neighbor, he does not exact of his neighbor and of his brother, but has proclaimed a release to YHWH;

Young's Literal Translation
and this is the matter of the release: Every owner of a loan is to release his hand which he doth lift up against his neighbour, he doth not exact of his neighbour and of his brother, but hath proclaimed a release to Jehovah;

Smith's Literal Translation
And this the word of the remission: Every lord to release the lending of his hand which he shall put upon his friend; he shall not exact his friend and his brother, for a remission was called to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which shall be celebrated in this order. He to whom any thing is owing from his friend or neighbour or brother, cannot demand it again, because it is the year of remission of the Lord,

Catholic Public Domain Version
which shall be celebrated according to this order. Anyone to whom anything is owed, by his friend or neighbor or brother, will not be able to request its return, because it is the year of remission of the Lord.

New American Bible
and this is the manner of the remission. Creditors shall remit all claims on loans made to a neighbor, not pressing the neighbor, one who is kin, because the LORD’s remission has been proclaimed.

New Revised Standard Version
And this is the manner of the remission: every creditor shall remit the claim that is held against a neighbor, not exacting it of a neighbor who is a member of the community, because the LORD’s remission has been proclaimed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release any debt which his neighbor owes him; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the year of the LORD'S release.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this is the right of forgiveness: every man landowner shall forgive the debt that his neighbor owed to him; he shall not seek it from his neighbor or from his brother because it is called forgiveness to LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbour; he shall not exact it of his neighbour and his brother; because the LORD'S release hath been proclaimed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And this is the ordinance of the release: thou shalt remit every private debt which thy neighbour owes thee, and thou shalt not ask payment of it from thy brother; for it has been called a release to the Lord thy God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
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.…

Cross References
Leviticus 25:35-37
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

Leviticus 25:39-41
If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers.

Nehemiah 10:31
When the people of the land bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on a Sabbath or holy day. Every seventh year we will let the fields lie fallow and will cancel every debt.

Exodus 22:25
If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

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.

Nehemiah 5:7-12
and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them / and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. / So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? ...

Matthew 18:27
His master had compassion on him, forgave his debt, and released him.

Luke 7:41-42
“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. / When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”

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

Proverbs 28:8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

Jeremiah 34:14
Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

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


Treasury of Scripture

And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lends ought to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.

Nehemiah 5:7-11
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them…

Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Amos 8:4-6
Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, …

Jump to Previous
Aught Cancel Canceling Countryman Creditor Debts Demand Exact Israelite Jehovah's Lent Manner Matter Neighbor Neighbour Ordered Ought Owner Payment Proclaimed Relax Release Remission Require Right Time Whatever
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Aught Cancel Canceling Countryman Creditor Debts Demand Exact Israelite Jehovah's Lent Manner Matter Neighbor Neighbour Ordered Ought Owner Payment Proclaimed Relax Release Remission Require Right Time Whatever
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.














This is how it is to be done
This phrase introduces a divine directive, emphasizing the importance of following God's specific instructions. The Hebrew root here, "כִּי" (ki), often translates to "because" or "for," indicating a reason or explanation. This sets the stage for a command that is not merely a suggestion but a divinely ordained practice. Historically, this reflects the structured and orderly nature of God's laws, which were designed to promote justice and compassion within the community.

Every creditor
The term "creditor" in Hebrew is "מַשֶּׁה" (masheh), which refers to one who lends money or goods. This highlights the social and economic relationships within ancient Israelite society, where lending was a common practice. The inclusion of "every" underscores the universality of the command, leaving no room for exceptions. It reflects God's desire for equity and fairness, ensuring that all members of the community participate in this act of mercy.

shall cancel
The Hebrew word "שָׁמַט" (shamat) means to release or let drop. This is a powerful image of forgiveness and liberation, symbolizing the release of burdens and debts. In a spiritual sense, it mirrors the forgiveness that God extends to humanity, encouraging believers to emulate this grace in their interactions with others. The act of canceling debts every seven years was a radical economic reset, promoting social stability and preventing the accumulation of generational poverty.

what he has loaned to his neighbor
The phrase "what he has loaned" refers to the tangible expression of trust and support within the community. The Hebrew "מַשֶּׁה" (masheh) again emphasizes the act of lending, which was not merely a financial transaction but a relational one. "Neighbor" in Hebrew is "רֵעַ" (rea), indicating a close associate or fellow member of the community. This reinforces the idea of communal responsibility and the importance of maintaining harmonious relationships.

He shall not collect anything from his neighbor or brother
This command further emphasizes the prohibition against reclaiming debts during the year of release. The repetition of "neighbor" and the addition of "brother" (אָח, ach) highlight the familial and communal bonds that should transcend financial obligations. It reflects the biblical principle that relationships are more valuable than material wealth, and it calls believers to prioritize love and unity over personal gain.

because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed
The phrase "the LORD’s time of release" refers to the "שְׁמִטָּה" (shemittah), the sabbatical year, which was a time of rest and renewal for the land and the people. This divine proclamation underscores God's sovereignty over time and resources, reminding the Israelites that everything ultimately belongs to Him. It serves as a reminder of God's provision and faithfulness, encouraging trust in His timing and care. The "proclaimed" aspect indicates a public declaration, ensuring that the community is aware and accountable to this divine mandate.

Verse 2. - Creditor; literally, master of the loan of his hand, equivalent to owner of what his hand has lent to another. Comp. the expression, "what was laid in his hand" (Leviticus 5:21; Authorized Version, "in fellowship," Leviticus 6:2); and Nehemiah 10:32, "the debt of every hand" (Authorized Version, "the exaction of every debt"). Neighbor; here, fellow-Israelite. Exact it of his neighbor; literally, press or urge his neighbor, i.e. to pay. It is called the Lord's release; rather, a release for Jehovah is proclaimed; the sabbatical year, like the year of jubilee, was proclaimed, and it was for Jehovah, in his honor, and in accordance with his ordinance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
וְזֶה֮ (wə·zeh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

is the manner
דְּבַ֣ר (də·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of remission:
הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ (haš·šə·miṭ·ṭāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8059: A letting drop, a (temporary) remitting

Every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

creditor
בַּ֙עַל֙ (ba·‘al)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

shall cancel
שָׁמ֗וֹט (šā·mō·wṭ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 8058: To fling down, to jostle, to let alone, desist, remit

what
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he has loaned
יַשֶּׁ֖ה (yaš·šeh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5383: To lend, borrow on security, interest

his neighbor.
בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּ (bə·rê·‘ê·hū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

He is not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to collect
יִגֹּ֤שׂ (yig·gōś)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5065: To drive, to tax, harass, tyrannize

anything
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

from his neighbor
רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

or brother,
אָחִ֔יו (’ā·ḥîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD’s
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

time of release
שְׁמִטָּ֖ה (šə·miṭ·ṭāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8059: A letting drop, a (temporary) remitting

has been proclaimed.
קָרָ֥א (qā·rā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 15:2 This is the manner of the release: (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 15:1
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