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.