Deuteronomy 15:12
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִמָּכֵ֨ר
be sold
H4376
יִמָּכֵ֨ר
be sold
Strong's:
H4376
Word #:
2 of 15
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
אָחִ֣יךָ
And if thy brother
H251
אָחִ֣יךָ
And if thy brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
4 of 15
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔ה
an Hebrew man
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔ה
an Hebrew man
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
5 of 15
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
א֚וֹ
H176
א֚וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
6 of 15
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔ה
an Hebrew man
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔ה
an Hebrew man
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
7 of 15
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
וַעֲבָֽדְךָ֖
unto thee and serve
H5647
וַעֲבָֽדְךָ֖
unto thee and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
8 of 15
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
שֵׁ֣שׁ
thee six
H8337
שֵׁ֣שׁ
thee six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
9 of 15
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
תְּשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּ
thou shalt let him go
H7971
תְּשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּ
thou shalt let him go
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
13 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Cross References
Jeremiah 34:14At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear.Deuteronomy 15:1At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern debt-slavery was often permanent, crushing families for generations. Israel's seven-year limit was revolutionary, reflecting God's character as Liberator (Exodus 20:2). This prevented permanent underclass formation and demonstrated covenant community's equality before God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's once-for-all liberation from sin's slavery surpass the repeated seven-year releases?
- What 'debts' (grudges, unforgiveness, demands) do you hold over others that God calls you to cancel?
- In what ways does your economic life reflect God's character as Liberator rather than cultural patterns of exploitation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free—The eved Ivri (עֶבֶד עִבְרִי, 'Hebrew servant') entered servitude through debt (Exodus 21:2-6), not ethnicity. The seventh year echoes creation's Sabbath rest—as God ceased labor, so must economic bondage cease. Liberation isn't earned but calendrically mandated.
This foreshadows Christ's acceptable year of the LORD (Luke 4:19, citing Isaiah 61:1-2)—the ultimate Jubilee. Paul applies it: Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men (1 Corinthians 7:23). Our debt-slavery to sin found its seventh-year in the cross, where Christ declared: It is finished (John 19:30). The Hebrew servant law taught Israel that God liberates—a principle fulfilled cosmically in redemption.