Deuteronomy 15:18 - It shall not seem hard to you, when you let him go free from you; for he has been double value of a hired hand as he served you six years. Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do.
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What does "Deuteronomy 15:18" mean?
This verse is part of the instructions in Deuteronomy regarding the release of Hebrew slaves after six years of service. Let's break it down:
"It shall not seem hard to you, when you let him go free from you...": This is the core message. It's urging the master not to resent or regret releasing the slave. Letting go of a worker, especially one who is valuable, could naturally be seen as a loss. The verse encourages generosity and a recognition of the moral obligation to release the slave as commanded by God.
"...for he has been double value of a hired hand as he served you six years.": This provides the rationale for why it shouldn't seem hard. The slave's work over those six years has been worth more than what a hired worker would have cost. There are a few reasons for this:
Continuous Service: Hired hands may only be available sporadically. A slave provided consistent labor throughout the six-year period.
Loyalty: A slave might be more loyal and dedicated than a temporary hired worker, leading to a greater output of effort.
Lower Overall Cost: While a hired hand might be paid regularly, a slave's basic needs are provided for. After six years of paying for food, shelter, and clothing, the master may still have spent less than if they had hired a person for that period of time.
"Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do.": This is the promise of divine reward for obedience. By releasing the slave as commanded, and doing so with a generous spirit, the master can expect God's blessing on their future endeavors. It reinforces the idea that following God's law, even when it might seem economically disadvantageous, will ultimately lead to prosperity.
In summary, the verse emphasizes the following:
Mandatory Release: Hebrew slaves are to be freed after six years of service.
Generosity and Positive Attitude: The master should not resent or regret freeing the slave.
Economic Justification: The slave's past service has more than compensated the master.
Divine Reward: Obedience to this law will result in God's blessing.
The verse promotes a society where slaves are treated with dignity and justice and not kept in perpetual servitude. It's a reminder that economic considerations should not outweigh moral obligations and that generosity and obedience to God are ultimately the paths to true prosperity. It also highlights the concept that workers are not merely commodities, but people worthy of freedom and fair treatment.
Deuteronomy 15:18 - It shall not seem hard to you, when you let him go free from you; for he has been double value of a hired hand as he served you six years. Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do.
What does "Deuteronomy 15:18" mean?
This verse is part of the instructions in Deuteronomy regarding the release of Hebrew slaves after six years of service. Let's break it down:
"It shall not seem hard to you, when you let him go free from you...": This is the core message. It's urging the master not to resent or regret releasing the slave. Letting go of a worker, especially one who is valuable, could naturally be seen as a loss. The verse encourages generosity and a recognition of the moral obligation to release the slave as commanded by God.
"...for he has been double value of a hired hand as he served you six years.": This provides the rationale for why it shouldn't seem hard. The slave's work over those six years has been worth more than what a hired worker would have cost. There are a few reasons for this:
Continuous Service: Hired hands may only be available sporadically. A slave provided consistent labor throughout the six-year period.
Loyalty: A slave might be more loyal and dedicated than a temporary hired worker, leading to a greater output of effort.
Lower Overall Cost: While a hired hand might be paid regularly, a slave's basic needs are provided for. After six years of paying for food, shelter, and clothing, the master may still have spent less than if they had hired a person for that period of time.
"Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do.": This is the promise of divine reward for obedience. By releasing the slave as commanded, and doing so with a generous spirit, the master can expect God's blessing on their future endeavors. It reinforces the idea that following God's law, even when it might seem economically disadvantageous, will ultimately lead to prosperity.
In summary, the verse emphasizes the following:
Mandatory Release: Hebrew slaves are to be freed after six years of service.
Generosity and Positive Attitude: The master should not resent or regret freeing the slave.
Economic Justification: The slave's past service has more than compensated the master.
Divine Reward: Obedience to this law will result in God's blessing.
The verse promotes a society where slaves are treated with dignity and justice and not kept in perpetual servitude. It's a reminder that economic considerations should not outweigh moral obligations and that generosity and obedience to God are ultimately the paths to true prosperity. It also highlights the concept that workers are not merely commodities, but people worthy of freedom and fair treatment.