Deuteronomy 15:2

This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The text addresses the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land, instituting a mandatory debt cancellation every seven years. It explicitly limits this release to fellow Israelites, distinguishing them from foreign creditors.

The words — שְׁמִטָּה (shemittah) denotes the mandated remission or cancellation of debts. The verb שָׁמַט (shamat) describes the creditor’s active duty to release or let go of what is owed.

The thread — The text explicitly commands the cancellation of debts owed by a neighbor or brother. This economic release parallels the New Testament pattern of forgiving unpayable debts (Luke 7:42) and rejects lending practices driven by expectation of repayment (Luke 6:34). It also establishes a structural link to the principle that mercy must precede judgment (James 2:13).

Why it lands — The text demands that creditors abandon their legal right to collect from fellow Israelites during the designated year. A reader must apply this by prioritizing communal relief over personal financial recovery.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord’s release.

Cross-references

Luke 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
Luke 7:42 When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”
James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Nehemiah 5:7 and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 18:25 Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.
Isaiah 58:3 “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.
Amos 8:4 Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land,
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.