Deuteronomy 15:14 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 15:14 mean?

Deuteronomy 15:14 commands the Israelites to generously provide for a servant who is being set free, giving from their own livestock, grain, and wine, in proportion to how much God has blessed them. The verse stresses that this giving should not be stingy, but rather open-handed and substantial.

In this verse, Moses is instructing the people of Israel about how to treat Hebrew servants at the end of their six-year term of service. Instead of sending them away empty-handed, the Israelites are told to supply these former servants with resources from their own abundance. This reflects a broader principle in the law of caring for others, especially those who have served faithfully.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 15:14

• The word "furnish" and "liberally" both come from עָנַף (ʿānap̄), which means to load or supply abundantly. The repetition emphasizes that the giving should be generous, not minimal.
• "Flock" is צֹאן (ṣōʾn), referring specifically to sheep or goats, highlighting that livestock was a key measure of wealth and provision.
• "Floor" is גֹּרֶן (gōren), meaning the threshing floor, where grain was processed. This points to giving from one’s staple food supply.
• "Winepress" is יֶקֶב (yeqev), which means the place where grapes are pressed for wine, showing that even valued produce like wine was to be shared.
• "Blessed" is בָּרַךְ (bāraḵ), meaning to bestow favor or increase. The verse ties the act of giving directly to the blessings received from God, making generosity a response to divine provision.

Why Deuteronomy 15:14 matters

• This verse clarifies that generosity is not just encouraged but required when someone leaves servitude; it is a concrete part of justice and compassion in Israel’s law.
• The verse connects personal giving to God’s blessing, reminding the Israelites that their wealth is not solely their own achievement but a gift meant to be shared.
• Deuteronomy 15:14 fits into a larger passage about the release of debts and servants, showing that God’s laws were designed to prevent cycles of poverty and to promote dignity for all members of the community.