Deuteronomy – Chapter 15

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 15 of Deuteronomy begins: "In the seventh year thou shalt make a remission," Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and God feeding His people. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1In the seventh year thou shalt make a remission,

2Which shall be celebrated in this order. He to whom any thing is owing from his friend or neighbour or brother, cannot demand it again, because it is the year of remission of the Lord.

3Of the foreigner or stranger thou mayst exact it: of thy countryman and neighbour thou shalt not have power to demand it again.

4And there shall be no poor nor beggar among you: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in the land which he will give thee in possession.

5Yet so if thou hear the voice of the Lord thy God, and keep all things that he hath ordained, and which I command thee this day, he will bless thee, as he hath promised.

6Thou shalt lend to many nations, and thou shalt borrow of no man. Thou shalt have dominion over very many nations, and no one shall have dominion over thee.

7If one of thy brethren that dwelleth within thy gates of thy city in the land which the Lord thy God will give thee, come to poverty: thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor close thy hand,

8But shalt open it to the poor man, thou shalt lend him, that which thou perceivest he hath need of.

9Beware lest perhaps a wicked thought steal in upon thee, and thou say in thy heart: The seventh year of remission draweth nigh; and thou turn away thy eyes from thy poor brother, denying to lend him that which he asketh: lest he cry against thee to the Lord, and it become a sin unto thee.

10But thou shalt give to him: neither shalt thou do any thing craftily in relieving his necessities: that the Lord thy God may bless thee at all times, and in all things to which thou shalt put thy hand.

11There will not be wanting poor in the land of thy habitation: therefore I command thee to open thy hand to thy needy and poor brother, that liveth in the land.

12When thy brother a Hebrew man, or Hebrew woman is sold to thee, and hath served thee six years, in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free:

13And when thou sendest him out free, thou shalt not let him go away empty:

14But shall give him for his way out of thy flocks, and out of thy barnfloor, and thy winepress, wherewith the Lord thy God shall bless thee.

15Remember that thou also wast a bondservant in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God made thee free, and therefore I now command thee this.

16But if he say: I will not depart: because he loveth thee, and thy house, and findeth that he is well with thee:

17Thou shalt take an awl, and bore through his ear in the door of thy house, and he shall serve thee for ever: thou shalt do in like manner to thy womanservant also.

18Turn not away thy eyes from them when thou makest them free: because he hath served thee six years according to the wages of a hireling: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the works that thou dost.

19Of the firstlings, that come of thy herds and thy sheep, thou shalt sanctify to the Lord thy God whatsoever is of the male sex. Thou shalt not work with the firstling of a bullock, and thou shalt not shear the firstlings of thy sheep.

20In the sight of the Lord thy God shalt thou eat them every year, in the place that the Lord shall choose, thou and thy house.

21But if it have a blemish, or be lame, or blind, or in any part disfigured or feeble, it shall not be sacrificed to the Lord thy God.

22But thou shalt eat it within the gates of thy city: the clean and the unclean shall eat them alike, as the roe and as the hart.

23Only thou shalt take heed not to eat their blood, but pour it out on the earth as water.

Important Verses in Deuteronomy 15

And there shall be no poor nor beggar among you: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in the land which he will give thee in possession.

Deuteronomy 15:4

If one of thy brethren that dwelleth within thy gates of thy city in the land which the Lord thy God will give thee, come to poverty: thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor close thy hand,

Deuteronomy 15:7

But thou shalt give to him: neither shalt thou do any thing craftily in relieving his necessities: that the Lord thy God may bless thee at all times, and in all things to which thou shalt put thy hand.

Deuteronomy 15:10

But shall give him for his way out of thy flocks, and out of thy barnfloor, and thy winepress, wherewith the Lord thy God shall bless thee.

Deuteronomy 15:14

Historical Context

Deuteronomy addresses the new generation of Israel about to cross the Jordan into Canaan within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 15 of 34 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "In the seventh year thou shalt make a remission," The chapter ends with: "Only thou shalt take heed not to eat their blood, but pour it out on the earth as water. " Read against its original backdrop, Deuteronomy means 'second law': Moses' final sermons on the plains of Moab, renewing the Sinai covenant for the generation about to enter Canaan. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

Who Wrote It

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC

When It Was Written

Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter presents divine statutes and cultic norms that shaped Israel's worship and moral life. A pivotal line is verse 4: "And there shall be no poor nor beggar among you: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in the land which he will give thee in possession." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of covenant renewal and the call to love God. Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 26).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

Reflection for Today

Deuteronomy Chapter 15, containing 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 302). Here the emphasis falls on hope in the resurrection, which shapes how the Church understands covenant renewal and the call to love God.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 461).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Deuteronomy Chapter 15 about?

Deuteronomy 15 contains 23 verses. It opens with "In the seventh year thou shalt make a remission," and closes with "Only thou shalt take heed not to eat their blood, but pour it out on the earth as water. ". The book as a whole is covenant discourses and law.

What is a key verse in Deuteronomy 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 4: "And there shall be no poor nor beggar among you: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in the land which he will give thee in possession." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Deuteronomy and when?

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC. Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

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