Deuteronomy 24:15 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 24:15 mean?

Deuteronomy 24:15 commands that a worker’s wages must be paid on the same day the work is done, without delay, because the worker depends on that pay for daily needs. The verse warns that withholding wages from a poor person is a serious wrong that God Himself will notice and judge as sin.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them laws for just and compassionate living as they prepare to settle in the promised land. The specific situation involves hiring day laborers, often people with little means, and stresses the urgency and fairness required in dealing with those who rely on daily income for survival.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 24:15

• "day" (יוֹם, yom): This word means a literal day, emphasizing that payment is due before the end of the workday, not delayed until later.
• "hire" (שָׂכָר, sakhar): This refers to wages or payment for labor, highlighting that the law is about fair treatment of workers.
• "poor" (עָנִי, ani): This word specifically points to someone who is needy or vulnerable, showing that the command is especially concerned with protecting those at risk.
• "setteth his heart" (נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ, nasa nephesh): This phrase means the worker has set his desire or hope on the wages, underlining how crucial immediate payment is for his survival.

Why Deuteronomy 24:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that God cares deeply about economic justice and the fair treatment of workers, not just religious rituals or offerings.
• The command connects to a larger biblical theme of protecting the vulnerable, showing that God’s law is practical and compassionate.
• Deuteronomy 24:15 helps explain why later prophets and teachings in the Bible condemn exploitation and call for justice in everyday dealings, not just in worship.