Deuteronomy 15:6
For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֤ה
For the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
For the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 19
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
בֵּֽרַכְךָ֔
blesseth
H1288
בֵּֽרַכְךָ֔
blesseth
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
4 of 19
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
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּר
thee as he promised
H1696
דִּבֶּר
thee as he promised
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
6 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
תַֽעֲבֹ֔ט
but thou shalt not borrow
H5670
תַֽעֲבֹ֔ט
but thou shalt not borrow
Strong's:
H5670
Word #:
8 of 19
to pawn; causatively, to lend (on security); figuratively, to entangle
בְּגוֹיִ֣ם
nations
H1471
בְּגוֹיִ֣ם
nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
9 of 19
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
רַבִּ֔ים
over many
H7227
רַבִּ֔ים
over many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
10 of 19
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲבֹ֔ט
but thou shalt not borrow
H5670
תַֽעֲבֹ֔ט
but thou shalt not borrow
Strong's:
H5670
Word #:
13 of 19
to pawn; causatively, to lend (on security); figuratively, to entangle
בְּגוֹיִ֣ם
nations
H1471
בְּגוֹיִ֣ם
nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
15 of 19
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
רַבִּ֔ים
over many
H7227
רַבִּ֔ים
over many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
16 of 19
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Cross References
1 Kings 4:21And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.Psalms 37:21The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.Proverbs 22:7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.Ezra 4:20There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.Nehemiah 9:27Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.Psalms 112:5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.Psalms 37:26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.1 Kings 4:24For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
Historical Context
Written before Israel entered Canaan, this promise anticipates the economic blessings of obedience in the land. Israel's agricultural and commercial success under David and Solomon fulfilled this partially, with tributary nations and international trade. However, Israel's frequent disobedience led to oppression, exile, and foreign domination (Judges, Assyrian and Babylonian captivity). The New Testament spiritualizes such promises—believers' true riches are spiritual (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 8:9), though godliness with contentment brings material sufficiency (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that material blessing flows from covenant obedience shape your view of prosperity?
- In what ways has debt or financial bondage compromised your spiritual freedom and witness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. The promise that YHWH elohekha yebarekhekha (the LORD your God will bless you) grounds Israel's economic prosperity in covenant obedience. The Hebrew avat (lend) pictures creditor status, while avoiding lavah (borrow/be indebted) preserves independence and dignity.
This economic dominance—lending to nations, ruling over them—reverses the curse of Deuteronomy 28:43-44 where disobedience brings debt and subjugation. The blessing isn't merely wealth but sovereignty and freedom from foreign domination. Proverbs 22:7 notes that 'the borrower is servant to the lender,' so Israel's creditor position represents freedom and authority. Yet this prosperity is conditional on covenant faithfulness (15:4-5)—obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings cursing. The promise anticipates Solomon's wealth and international influence (1 Kings 10:14-29) but was repeatedly forfeited through apostasy.