19 November 2014

EJ&T Deuteronomy 15: Cancel all debts every seventh year

In the Every Jot and Tittle project, I am listing all of the Bible's commandments from Genesis to Revelation, in accordance with Jesus's words in Matthew 5:18-19. I have no idea how many commandments I'll find, but Jewish tradition claims there are 613. See here for a list of those that I've found so far.

  1. Cancel all debts every seven years.
  2. This law only applies to Jews. Loans made to Gentiles remain in effect during "the Lord's release."

    At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord's release. Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release. Deuteronomy 15:1-3

    That we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. Nehemiah 10:31

  3. Lend money to other nations.
  4. Thou shalt lend unto many nations. Deuteronomy 15:6a

  5. Don't borrow money from other nations.
  6. Thou shalt not borrow [from other nations]. Deuteronomy 15:6b

  7. Don't do any work with your firstborn bull.
  8. thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock. Deuteronomy 15:19

  9. Don't shear your firstborn sheep.
  10. Thou shalt not ... shear the firstling of thy sheep. Deuteronomy 15:19

  11. Eat your firstborn bulls and sheep in the place where God chooses.
  12. Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household. Deuteronomy 15:20

1 comment:

Christian said...

I have to wonder who "thou" are, as if it is inclusive of everyone then how can you lend but not borrow (scratches his head in confusion)?