Deuteronomy 15:8-11
Context15:8 Instead, you must be sure to open your hand to him and generously lend 1 him whatever he needs. 2 15:9 Be careful lest you entertain the wicked thought that the seventh year, the year of cancellation of debts, has almost arrived, and your attitude 3 be wrong toward your impoverished fellow Israelite 4 and you do not lend 5 him anything; he will cry out to the Lord against you and you will be regarded as having sinned. 6 15:10 You must by all means lend 7 to him and not be upset by doing it, 8 for because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you attempt. 15:11 There will never cease to be some poor people in the land; therefore, I am commanding you to make sure you open 9 your hand to your fellow Israelites 10 who are needy and poor in your land.
1 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute before both verbs. The translation indicates the emphasis with the words “be sure to” and “generously,” respectively.
2 tn Heb “whatever his need that he needs for himself.” This redundant expression has been simplified in the translation for stylistic reasons.
3 tn Heb “your eye.”
4 tn Heb “your needy brother.”
5 tn Heb “give” (likewise in v. 10).
6 tn Heb “it will be a sin to you.”
7 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “by all means.”
8 tc Heb “your heart must not be grieved in giving to him.” The LXX and Orig add, “you shall surely lend to him sufficient for his need,” a suggestion based on the same basic idea in v. 8. Such slavish adherence to stock phrases is without warrant in most cases, and certainly here.
9 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “make sure.”
10 tn Heb “your brother.”