Deuteronomy 15:18

Authorized King James Version

It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#2
יִקְשֶׁ֣ה
It shall not seem hard
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
#3
בְעֵינֶ֗ךָ
unto thee
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#4
בְּשַׁלֵּֽחֲךָ֙
when thou sendest him away
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#5
אֹת֤וֹ
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
חָפְשִׁי֙
free
exempt (from bondage, tax or care)
#7
מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְ
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#8
כִּ֗י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
מִשְׁנֶה֙
a double
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
#10
שְׂכַ֣ר
from thee for he hath been worth
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
#11
שָׂכִ֔יר
hired servant
a man who is hired by the day or year
#12
עֲבָֽדְךָ֖
to thee in serving
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#13
שֵׁ֣שׁ
thee six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#14
שָׁנִ֑ים
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#15
וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙
shall bless
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#16
יְהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#18
בְּכֹ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
תַּֽעֲשֶֽׂה׃
thee in all that thou doest
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Analysis

Within the broader context of Deuteronomy, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Deuteronomy.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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