But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

DEUTERONOMY 15:8KJV
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Deuteronomy 15:8 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 15:8 mean?

Deuteronomy 15:8 commands the Israelites to generously help a fellow Israelite in need by willingly lending whatever is necessary to meet that person’s needs. The verse emphasizes not withholding help but instead opening one’s hand wide to provide sufficient support.

In this passage, Moses is instructing the people of Israel about how to treat the poor among them, especially as they approach the year of debt release. The verse stresses practical generosity, calling for an open-handed attitude rather than reluctance or stinginess, and highlights the importance of meeting real needs rather than offering only minimal help.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 15:8

  • פָּתֹחַ (pathoach, “open”): This word, used here with the image of an open hand, suggests a readiness and willingness to give, not just a minimal or reluctant gesture.
  • יָד (yad, “hand”): The hand in Hebrew thought often represents action and ability; opening the hand wide (not just a little) signals full-hearted generosity.
  • הַעֲבֵט (ha’avet, “surely lend”): This word is doubled in the Hebrew for emphasis, indicating a strong obligation to actually provide a loan, not just consider it.
  • דֵּי (dei, “sufficient”): The command is to give enough to truly meet the person’s need, not just a token amount.
  • מַחְסֹרוֹ (machsoro, “need”) and יֶחְסַר (yechsar, “wanteth”): These words highlight that the help should be tailored to what the person actually lacks, not just what the giver feels like offering.

Why Deuteronomy 15:8 matters

  • Deuteronomy 15:8 corrects any idea that generosity is optional or can be half-hearted; it insists on real, practical help that matches the actual need.
  • The verse connects to the larger context of debt release and care for the poor, showing that God’s law is concerned with both justice and compassion.
  • The strong language about opening the hand “wide” and lending “sufficient” makes clear that the expectation is not just charity, but dignity and restoration for the person in need.

Where else these words appear

“surely” Hebrew H5670 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 15:6 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 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:

“need” Hebrew H4270 · used in 13 verses

  • Judges 18:10 When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.
  • Proverbs 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
  • Proverbs 21:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

“wanteth” Hebrew H2637 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • 1 Kings 17:14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

“sufficient” Hebrew H1767 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
  • 1 Kings 14:28 And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
  • Isaiah 40:16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.