Deuteronomy 15:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 15:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 15:3 says that Israelites could collect debts from foreigners, but when it came to fellow Israelites, they were required to cancel those debts during the year of release. This rule created a distinction between how debts were handled within the Israelite community and with outsiders.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The context is the law about the "year of release," which happened every seven years, when debts among Israelites were to be forgiven. The verse highlights that this forgiveness was specifically for "your brother"—meaning fellow Israelites—not for "foreigners," who could still be required to repay what they owed.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 15:3

• foreigner (נָכְרִי, nokhri): This word refers to someone who is not part of the Israelite community. The distinction shows that the debt release law was an internal policy meant to promote social equality among Israelites.
• exact (נָשָׁה, nashah): This verb means to demand repayment or to collect a debt. The verse allows this action toward foreigners but not toward fellow Israelites, underlining the special bond within the community.
• brother (אָח, ach): This word often means a fellow Israelite, not just a literal sibling. Its use here stresses the sense of family and mutual responsibility among Israelites.
• hand (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, "hand" often represents power or action. Here, it means actively letting go of the claim to repayment.
• release (שְׁמִטָּה, shemittah): This word means a letting go or release, specifically of debts. The shemittah was a unique social practice in Israel meant to prevent long-term poverty and inequality.

Why Deuteronomy 15:3 matters

• Deuteronomy 15:3 clarifies that the law of debt cancellation was not a universal principle but was designed to protect and support the Israelite community specifically.
• This verse helps explain the social structure and values of ancient Israel, showing a strong emphasis on internal solidarity while allowing different rules for outsiders.
• Understanding this verse in context helps prevent the misunderstanding that the Bible commands blanket debt forgiveness for all people in every circumstance; it was a targeted law for a particular community and time.