For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

DEUTERONOMY 15:6KJV
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Deuteronomy 15:6 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 15:6 mean?

Deuteronomy 15:6 promises that if the Israelites obey God, He will bless them as He said He would, so that they will have enough resources to lend to many nations but will not need to borrow, and they will rule over many nations without being ruled themselves. This verse describes a future of abundance, security, and influence for Israel if they remain faithful.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The context is a set of laws about debt and generosity, with God assuring Israel that obedience will bring material blessing and national prominence. The verse uses language about lending and ruling to show the reversal of fortune: Israel will be in a position of strength, not dependence.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 15:6

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to His promises.
  • blesseth (בָּרַךְ, barakh): This word means to bestow favor or prosperity. Here, it highlights that Israel’s ability to lend and rule comes directly from God’s active blessing, not just their own effort.
  • lend (עָבַט, avat): This word means to extend credit or loan resources. The emphasis is on Israel being in a position to help others, not needing help themselves.
  • reign (מָשַׁל, mashal): This word means to rule or have dominion. The verse uses it to describe Israel’s leadership among nations, not just survival.

Why Deuteronomy 15:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s prosperity and influence are tied to God’s blessing, not automatic or earned by their own merit.
  • The promise of lending and not borrowing, ruling and not being ruled, shows a reversal from dependence to leadership, which would have been a powerful assurance for a people who had been slaves in Egypt.
  • Deuteronomy 15:6 connects to the larger theme of the chapter, which is about generosity and release from debt, by showing that God’s blessing enables His people to be generous and strong.

Where else these words appear

“lend” Hebrew H5670 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 15:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
  • Deuteronomy 24:10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.
  • Joel 2:7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

“reign” Hebrew H4910 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
  • Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.