Deuteronomy 15:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִקְשֶׁ֣ה
It shall not seem hard
H7185
יִקְשֶׁ֣ה
It shall not seem hard
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
בְעֵינֶ֗ךָ
unto thee
H5869
בְעֵינֶ֗ךָ
unto thee
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
בְּשַׁלֵּֽחֲךָ֙
when thou sendest him away
H7971
בְּשַׁלֵּֽחֲךָ֙
when thou sendest him away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
4 of 20
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֹת֤וֹ
H853
אֹת֤וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְ
H5973
מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
7 of 20
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִשְׁנֶה֙
a double
H4932
מִשְׁנֶה֙
a double
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
9 of 20
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
שְׂכַ֣ר
from thee for he hath been worth
H7939
שְׂכַ֣ר
from thee for he hath been worth
Strong's:
H7939
Word #:
10 of 20
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
עֲבָֽדְךָ֖
to thee in serving
H5647
עֲבָֽדְךָ֖
to thee in serving
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
12 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
שֵׁ֣שׁ
thee six
H8337
שֵׁ֣שׁ
thee six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
13 of 20
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙
shall bless
H1288
וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙
shall bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
15 of 20
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
יְהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 20
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
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Economic calculations reveal God's justice: the law didn't exploit masters. Six years' comprehensive service exceeded twelve years of hired labor in productivity. God's commands are never arbitrary burdens but wise, equitable ordinances reflecting His character.
Questions for Reflection
- How does calculating God's 'double' mercy toward you make obedience 'not seem hard'?
- In what areas are you tempted to view obedience as costly loss rather than reasonable response?
- What economic 'fairness' (balancing accounts, holding debts) must you release in light of Christ canceling your infinite debt?
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Analysis & Commentary
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—God addresses the master's potential resentment. The servant provided double (מִשְׁנֶה, mishneh) value—slaves worked comprehensively (24/7), while hired hands worked set hours. Releasing him is economically fair, not sacrificial loss.
Yet the deeper principle: obedience shouldn't seem hard when we calculate God's prior generosity. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)—in view of mercy, sacrifice seems reasonable. The freed servant's 'double service' reminds us: He saved us...not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5). We've contributed nothing; therefore releasing others' debts is trivial compared to our canceled debt.