Deuteronomy Chapter 24 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

Original Language Analysis

וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֗ But thou shalt remember H2142
וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֗ But thou shalt remember
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 1 of 17
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 2 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עֶ֤בֶד that thou wast a bondman H5650
עֶ֤בֶד that thou wast a bondman
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 3 of 17
a servant
הָיִ֙יתָ֙ H1961
הָיִ֙יתָ֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 4 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם in Egypt H4714
בְּמִצְרַ֔יִם in Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 5 of 17
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֛ redeemed H6299
וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֛ redeemed
Strong's: H6299
Word #: 6 of 17
to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve
יְהוָ֥ה and the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה and the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 8 of 17
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
מִשָּׁ֑ם H8033
מִשָּׁ֑ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 9 of 17
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֞ן H3651
כֵּ֞ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 11 of 17
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אָֽנֹכִ֤י H595
אָֽנֹכִ֤י
Strong's: H595
Word #: 12 of 17
i
מְצַוְּךָ֙ thee thence therefore I command H6680
מְצַוְּךָ֙ thee thence therefore I command
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 13 of 17
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת thee to do H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת thee to do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 14 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֖ר this thing H1697
הַדָּבָ֖ר this thing
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 16 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 17 of 17
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence—The Hebrew ve-zakharta ki eved hayita be-Mitsrayim ("and you shall remember that a slave you were in Egypt") grounds ethical obligation in redemptive memory. Israel's slavery experience (eved, "slave/bondman") should create empathy for vulnerable workers. Vayifde'kha YHWH Elohekha mi-sham ("and YHWH your God redeemed you from there")—padah (redeem) means to purchase freedom, recalling the Exodus as God's redemptive act.

Therefore I command thee to do this thing—Al-ken anokhi metsavvekha la'asot et-ha-davar ha-zeh ("therefore I am commanding you to do this thing") links remembered grace to ethical action. Those who have received mercy must extend justice. This theological pattern appears throughout Deuteronomy (5:15; 15:15; 16:12)—experience of redemption obligates compassionate behavior toward the vulnerable.

Paul employs identical logic: "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32). Christian ethics flow from gospel indicatives: because God redeemed us from slavery to sin, we must show grace and justice to others.

Historical Context

This verse concludes a section on social justice laws (verses 14-18) covering day laborers, gleaning rights, and protecting the vulnerable. The Exodus memory—400 years of slavery followed by miraculous redemption—shaped Israel's national identity and ethical framework. Unlike surrounding nations whose laws primarily protected property owners' rights, Israel's law code consistently favored the poor, the stranger, the widow, and the orphan. This theological grounding distinguished biblical law: ethics derive from God's character and redemptive acts, not mere social utility.

Questions for Reflection