Deuteronomy 15:11 - For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.
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What does "Deuteronomy 15:11" mean?
Deuteronomy 15:11 essentially means that poverty will always exist in society, and therefore, it is a moral imperative to be generous and supportive of those in need within your community. Let's break it down:
"For the poor will never cease out of the land": This is a pragmatic statement acknowledging that poverty will always be a part of human existence. It's not an excuse to ignore the issue, but a realistic understanding of the world. Different circumstances can lead to poverty (e.g., illness, job loss, natural disasters).
"Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land": This is the crucial part of the verse and the reason for the preceding statement. Because poverty will always be present, the people are commanded to actively and generously help those who are struggling.
"Open your hand": This is a metaphor for generosity and willingness to give. It implies not just giving something, but giving willingly and without hesitation.
"To your brother, to your needy, and to your poor": This emphasizes that the responsibility extends to all members of the community who are in need, regardless of their specific circumstances. "Brother" doesn't necessarily mean a literal sibling, but rather a fellow Israelite (in the original context) or, more broadly, a fellow human being. "Needy" and "Poor" are different ways of expressing the same concept.
"In your land": This focuses the responsibility on the immediate community. While helping those far away might be admirable, the primary duty is to care for those in one's own vicinity.
In summary, the verse is a call to action based on the reality of poverty. It commands ongoing generosity and active support for those in need within your own community. The fact that poverty will always exist doesn't absolve people from their responsibility to help, but rather emphasizes the necessity of consistent and compassionate action.
The verse serves as a timeless ethical principle found in many religious and ethical systems, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and care for the vulnerable.
Deuteronomy 15:11 - For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.
What does "Deuteronomy 15:11" mean?
Deuteronomy 15:11 essentially means that poverty will always exist in society, and therefore, it is a moral imperative to be generous and supportive of those in need within your community. Let's break it down:
"For the poor will never cease out of the land": This is a pragmatic statement acknowledging that poverty will always be a part of human existence. It's not an excuse to ignore the issue, but a realistic understanding of the world. Different circumstances can lead to poverty (e.g., illness, job loss, natural disasters).
"Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land": This is the crucial part of the verse and the reason for the preceding statement. Because poverty will always be present, the people are commanded to actively and generously help those who are struggling.
"Open your hand": This is a metaphor for generosity and willingness to give. It implies not just giving something, but giving willingly and without hesitation.
"To your brother, to your needy, and to your poor": This emphasizes that the responsibility extends to all members of the community who are in need, regardless of their specific circumstances. "Brother" doesn't necessarily mean a literal sibling, but rather a fellow Israelite (in the original context) or, more broadly, a fellow human being. "Needy" and "Poor" are different ways of expressing the same concept.
"In your land": This focuses the responsibility on the immediate community. While helping those far away might be admirable, the primary duty is to care for those in one's own vicinity.
In summary, the verse is a call to action based on the reality of poverty. It commands ongoing generosity and active support for those in need within your own community. The fact that poverty will always exist doesn't absolve people from their responsibility to help, but rather emphasizes the necessity of consistent and compassionate action.
The verse serves as a timeless ethical principle found in many religious and ethical systems, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and care for the vulnerable.