Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Let them live among you wherever they like and in whatever town they choose. Do not oppress them. New Living Translation Let them live among you in any town they choose, and do not oppress them. English Standard Version He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he shall choose within one of your towns, wherever it suits him. You shall not wrong him. Berean Standard Bible Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him. Berean Literal Bible He will dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he chooses, within one of your gates, where it is pleasing to him. You shall not oppress him. King James Bible He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him. New King James Version He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him. New American Standard Bible He shall live with you in your midst, in the place that he chooses in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him. NASB 1995 “He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him. NASB 1977 “He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him. Legacy Standard Bible He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your gates of the towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him. Amplified Bible He shall live among you, in the place he chooses in one of your cities where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat or oppress him. Berean Annotated Bible Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him. Christian Standard Bible Let him live among you wherever he wants within your city gates. Do not mistreat him. Holman Christian Standard Bible Let him live among you wherever he wants within your gates. Do not mistreat him.” American Standard Version he shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in the place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it pleaseth him best: thou shalt not oppress him. Contemporary English Version Instead, you must let them choose which one of your towns they want to live in. Don't be cruel to runaway slaves. English Revised Version he shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in the place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him. GOD'S WORD® Translation Let him stay with you [and live] among your people wherever he chooses, in any of your cities that seems best to him. Never mistreat him. Good News Translation They may live in any of your towns that they choose, and you are not to treat them harshly. International Standard Version Let him live among you wherever he chooses in any of your cities that he likes. Don't mistreat him." NET Bible Indeed, he may live among you in any place he chooses, in whichever of your villages he prefers; you must not oppress him. New Heart English Bible he shall dwell with you, in the midst of you, in the place which he shall choose within one of your gates, where it pleases him best: you shall not oppress him. Webster's Bible Translation He shall dwell with thee, even among you in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates where it pleaseth him best: thou shalt not oppress him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleLet him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him. World English Bible He shall dwell with you, among you, in the place which he shall choose within one of your gates, where it pleases him best. You shall not oppress him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionhe dwells with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it is pleasing to him; you do not oppress him. Berean Literal Bible He will dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he chooses, within one of your gates, where it is pleasing to him. You shall not oppress him. Young's Literal Translation with thee he doth dwell, in thy midst, in the place which he chooseth within one of thy gates, where it is pleasing to him; thou dost not oppress him. Smith's Literal Translation With thee he shall dwell in the midst of thee in the place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, in the good to him: thou shalt not oppress him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe shall dwell with thee ill the place that shall please him, and shall rest, in one of thy cities: give him no trouble. Catholic Public Domain Version He shall live with you in a place that pleases him, and he shall rest in one of your cities. You shall not grieve him. New American Bible Let them live among you in any place they choose, in any one of your communities that seems good to them. Do not oppress them. New Revised Standard Version They shall reside with you, in your midst, in any place they choose in any one of your towns, wherever they please; you shall not oppress them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut he shall dwell with you in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns, where it pleases him best; you shall not oppress him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated But he shall dwell with you in the place where he wants in one of your towns, wherever it pleases him, and you shall not oppress him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917he shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in the place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it liketh him best; thou shalt not wrong him. Brenton Septuagint Translation He shall dwell with thee, he shall dwell among you where he shall please; thou shalt not afflict him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Miscellaneous Laws15Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you. 16 Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him. 17No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.… Cross References Let him live among you Leviticus 19:33-34 When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. / You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 25:35 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. Deuteronomy 10:19 So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. wherever he chooses, Genesis 20:15 And Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever you please.” Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.” in the town of his pleasing. 1 Samuel 27:5 Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” Joshua 20:2-4 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, / so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. Numbers 35:11-12 designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. / You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly. Do not oppress him. Exodus 22:21 You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 24:14-15 Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? … Galatians 5:14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:8-10 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. Treasury of Scripture He shall dwell with you, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of your gates, where it likes him best: you shall not oppress him. shall dwell Isaiah 16:3,4 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth… Luke 15:15-24 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine… Titus 3:2,3 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men… liketh him best [heb] is good for him Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Jeremiah 7:6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Jump to Previous Best Choose Chooses Chooseth Dwell Liketh Midst Mistreat Oppress Pleases Pleaseth Pleasing Seemeth Towns Whatever Wherever Within WrongJump to Next Best Choose Chooses Chooseth Dwell Liketh Midst Mistreat Oppress Pleases Pleaseth Pleasing Seemeth Towns Whatever Wherever Within WrongDeuteronomy 23 1. Who may or may not enter into the congregation9. Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host 15. Of the fugitive servant 17. Of filthiness 18. Of abominable sacrifices 19. Of usury 20. Of vows 24. Of trespass Let him live among you This phrase reflects the broader biblical principle of hospitality and protection for the vulnerable, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In the context of ancient Israel, this command would apply to a runaway slave seeking refuge. The Israelites were reminded of their own history as slaves in Egypt and were called to treat others with compassion and justice. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:2). wherever he chooses in the town of his pleasing Do not oppress him Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe people to whom the laws in Deuteronomy were given. They were God's chosen people, called to live according to His commandments. 2. Fugitive Slave The specific individual referred to in this verse, who has escaped from his master and seeks refuge among the Israelites. 3. Moses The leader of the Israelites and the author of Deuteronomy, who conveyed God's laws to the people. 4. Promised Land The land of Canaan, where the Israelites were to settle and live according to God's laws. 5. Ancient Near East The broader cultural and historical context in which these laws were given, where slavery was a common practice. Teaching Points Compassion and HospitalityThe command to allow the fugitive slave to live freely among the Israelites highlights the importance of compassion and hospitality. As Christians, we are called to welcome and support those who seek refuge and freedom. Respect for Human Dignity This verse underscores the value of every human life and the importance of respecting individual dignity. We are reminded to treat all people with kindness and fairness, regardless of their past or status. Obedience to God's Law The Israelites were to follow God's commands even when they challenged societal norms. As believers, we are called to prioritize God's principles over cultural practices that may be unjust. Freedom in Christ The concept of freedom is central to the Christian faith. Just as the fugitive slave was to live freely, we are reminded of the spiritual freedom we have in Christ and our responsibility to extend that freedom to others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 23:16?2. How does Deuteronomy 23:16 guide us in treating those seeking refuge today? 3. What does "do not oppress" in Deuteronomy 23:16 teach about God's character? 4. How can we apply Deuteronomy 23:16 in modern church community practices? 5. What other scriptures emphasize compassion towards strangers and refugees like Deuteronomy 23:16? 6. How does Deuteronomy 23:16 challenge our attitudes towards marginalized individuals in society? 7. How does Deuteronomy 23:16 reflect God's view on freedom and servitude? 8. Why does Deuteronomy 23:16 emphasize not returning a slave to their master? 9. What historical context influenced the command in Deuteronomy 23:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 23? 11. 1 Kings 9:20-21 describes the subjugation of non-Israelite survivors; does this conflict with earlier biblical commands about treatment of foreign peoples? 12. Isaiah 58:5 - Why emphasize a 'true fast' if God mandated so many ritual practices in earlier laws, suggesting a potential conflict between ceremony and genuine devotion? 13. Deuteronomy 16:5-7: How do we reconcile sacrificing the Passover 'in the place the Lord chooses' with Exodus 12's instruction to kill the lamb at home? 14. Why does the Bible mention infants dashed to pieces? What Does Deuteronomy 23:16 Mean Let him live among you• God commands Israel to give safe haven to the runaway servant; His people are to open their communities rather than send the fugitive back (compare Deuteronomy 10:18–19; Exodus 22:21). • The wording makes the invitation broad and unconditional—no preliminary vetting, no probation period. It reveals the Lord’s heart for mercy, protection, and the dignity of every person created in His image (Genesis 1:27; Proverbs 31:8-9). wherever he chooses • Choice is handed to the refugee, not to the host community. This reverses the normal power dynamic and immediately elevates the escaped slave to a position of personal agency (Genesis 13:9; Joshua 24:15). • The clause also guards against regional prejudice; every tribe and town must be equally willing to receive him (Leviticus 19:33-34; James 2:1-4). in the town of his pleasing • “Town” (lit., “gate”) implies full civic inclusion—housing, work, worship, and legal protection inside Israel’s fortified social structure (Ruth 4:1-12; Numbers 35:15). • By allowing the refugee to settle wherever “pleasing,” God ensures that circumstances such as family ties, occupational opportunities, or worship preferences can guide the decision (Psalm 16:6; Acts 17:26-27). Do not oppress him • Negative commands in the Law carry the same weight as positives; refusing oppression is as binding as loving one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). • “Oppress” covers economic exploitation, legal injustice, or social marginalization (Jeremiah 7:6; Malachi 3:5). God links oppression with covenant violation and promises judgment against it (Isaiah 10:1-2; James 5:4). • The warning serves the larger redemptive pattern: Israel, once enslaved in Egypt, must treat others opposite the way Pharaoh treated them (Deuteronomy 24:17-22; Ephesians 4:32). summary • Deuteronomy 23:16 protects the vulnerable by granting them full refuge, free choice, and civic integration among God’s people. • The verse exposes God’s character: compassionate, just, and deeply committed to human dignity. • It directs believers today to welcome the oppressed, honor their agency, and actively refuse every form of exploitation, reflecting the Lord who delivered us from the slavery of sin (John 8:36; Galatians 5:13). Hebrew Let him liveיֵשֵׁ֣ב (yê·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry among you בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗ (bə·qir·bə·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center wherever בַּמָּק֧וֹם (bam·mā·qō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition he chooses, יִבְחַ֛ר (yiḇ·ḥar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 977: To try, select in בְּאַחַ֥ד (bə·’a·ḥaḏ) Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 259: United, one, first the town שְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ (šə·‘ā·re·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate of his pleasing. בַּטּ֣וֹב (baṭ·ṭō·wḇ) Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good Do not לֹ֖א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no oppress him. תּוֹנֶֽנּוּ׃ (tō·w·nen·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 3238: To rage, be violent, to suppress, to maltreat Links Deuteronomy 23:16 NIVDeuteronomy 23:16 NLT Deuteronomy 23:16 ESV Deuteronomy 23:16 NASB Deuteronomy 23:16 KJV Deuteronomy 23:16 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 23:16 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 23:16 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 23:16 French Bible Deuteronomy 23:16 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 23:16 He shall dwell with you (Deut. 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