Deuteronomy 23:15,16

LESSON EIGHTEEN Deuteronomy 23:15 to Deuteronomy 24:22

m. LAWS OF SOCIETY AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS (Deuteronomy 23:15 to Deuteronomy 26:19)

(1) TREATMENT OF ESCAPED SLAVES (Deuteronomy 23:15-16)

Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant that is escaped from his master unto thee: 16 he shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it pleaseth him best: thou shall not oppress him.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 23:15, 16

393.

No such provision was made for a runaway Hebrew servant. Cf. Deuteronomy 15:12-18. Why such a provision for outsiders?

394.

The motive for running away is at least suggested. What is it?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 23:15, 16

15 You shall not give up to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you;
16 He shall dwell with you in your midst, where he chooses in one of your towns, where it pleases him best. You shall not defraud or oppress him.

COMMENT 23:15, 16

The reference is to a foreign slave who had fled from the harsh treatment of his master to seek refuge in Israel, as is evident from the expression. -in one of thy gates,-' i.e. in any part of the land. (Pulpit) No such provision is made for runaway Hebrew servants, about which see 15:.12-18 and notes; compare Deuteronomy 22:1-3.