Deuteronomy 15:9

Authorized King James Version

Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
H8104
Beware
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#2
לְךָ֡
H0
#3
פֶּן
H6435
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
#4
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
דָבָר֩
H1697
that there be not a thought
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#6
עִם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#7
לְבָֽבְךָ֙
H3824
heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#8
בְלִיַּ֜עַל
H1100
in thy wicked
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
#9
לֵאמֹ֗ר
H559
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#10
קָֽרְבָ֣ה
H7126
is at hand
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#11
שְׁנַ֣ת
H8141
the year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
הַשֶּׁבַע֮
H7651
The seventh
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#13
שְׁנַ֣ת
H8141
the year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#14
הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒
H8059
of release
remission (of debt) or suspension of labor)
#15
וְרָעָ֣ה
H7489
be evil
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
#16
עֵֽינְךָ֗
H5869
and thine eye
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#17
בְּאָחִ֙יךָ֙
H251
brother
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#18
הָֽאֶבְי֔וֹן
H34
against thy poor
destitute
#19
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#20
תִתֵּ֖ן
H5414
and thou givest
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#21
ל֑וֹ
H0
#22
וְקָרָ֤א
H7121
him nought and he cry
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#23
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#24
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#25
יְהוָ֔ה
H3068
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#26
וְהָיָ֥ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#27
בְךָ֖
H0
#28
חֵֽטְא׃
H2399
against thee and it be sin
a crime or its penalty

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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