And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.

DEUTERONOMY 15:12KJV
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Deuteronomy 15:12 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 15:12 mean?

Deuteronomy 15:12 says that if a fellow Israelite, whether a man or a woman, is sold to you as a servant, that person must serve for six years, and in the seventh year you must set them free. This rule sets a clear limit on how long an Israelite could be kept as a servant by another Israelite.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel, giving them laws for how to treat each other, especially regarding servitude. The context is about protecting the dignity and freedom of Israelites who, because of debt or hardship, became servants to their fellow countrymen. The verse emphasizes that servitude among Israelites was not to be permanent, but limited to six years, with release in the seventh year.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 15:12

  • "brother" (אָח, 'ach, H251): This word highlights that the servant is considered a fellow Israelite, not a foreigner, stressing kinship and shared identity.
  • "serve" (עָבַד, 'avad, H5647): This word means to work or serve, and here it refers to the labor the person provides during the six-year period.
  • "six" (שֵׁשׁ, shesh, H8337) and "years" (שָׁנָה, shanah, H8141): These words specify the exact duration of service, making clear that the term is not indefinite.
  • "seventh" (שְׁבִעִי, shevi'i, H7637): This word marks the special significance of the seventh year, often associated in the Bible with release and rest.
  • "go" (שָׁלַח, shalach, H7971) and "free" (חָפְשִׁי, chofshi, H2670): These words together mean to send someone away as a free person, not just releasing but restoring their full freedom.

Why Deuteronomy 15:12 matters

  • Deuteronomy 15:12 clarifies that servitude among Israelites was never meant to be lifelong or harsh, but always temporary and with an expectation of eventual freedom.
  • This verse connects to the broader biblical theme of the "Sabbath year," where release and restoration are emphasized, showing God's concern for justice and mercy within the community.
  • The law protects vulnerable people from being trapped in permanent servitude, reminding the Israelites to treat each other as brothers and sisters, not as property.

Where else these words appear

“free” Hebrew H2670 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
  • Deuteronomy 15:18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
  • Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

“man” Hebrew H5680 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Exodus 2:7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.

“sold” Hebrew H4376 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
  • Leviticus 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
  • Nehemiah 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

“seventh” Hebrew H7637 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Leviticus 23:16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
  • 1 Kings 18:44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.