Deuteronomy 24:18 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 24:18 mean?

Deuteronomy 24:18 tells the Israelites to remember that they were once slaves in Egypt and that the LORD their God rescued them, so they are commanded to act accordingly. The verse connects their past experience of being redeemed from bondage with the reason for the command being given.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, reminding them of their history as "bondmen" (slaves) in Egypt. The verse explains that God's act of redemption is the foundation for the laws and commands He gives them, especially those about justice and compassion for others.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 24:18

• "remember" (זָכַר, zakar): This word means more than just recalling a fact; it often includes acting in light of what is remembered. Here, it urges the Israelites to let their memory of slavery shape their behavior.
• "bondman" (עֶבֶד, eved): This word refers to a servant or slave, highlighting the Israelites' former low and powerless status in Egypt.
• "redeemed" (פָּדָה, padah): This word means to rescue or buy back, often used for freeing someone from slavery or danger. It emphasizes that God actively intervened to set the Israelites free.
• "command" (צָוָה, tsavah): This word means to order or instruct, showing that what follows is not just advice but an authoritative directive from God.

Why Deuteronomy 24:18 matters

• Deuteronomy 24:18 clarifies that the commands given to Israel are rooted in their own experience of oppression and deliverance, not just arbitrary rules.
• The verse highlights the importance of empathy and justice, reminding the Israelites that their laws should reflect the mercy God showed them.
• This verse connects to the wider passage, which deals with fair treatment of vulnerable people, by grounding those instructions in Israel's own story of redemption.