Deuteronomy 15:3

You may collect something from a foreigner, but you must forgive whatever your brother owes you.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, establishing economic regulations for the year of release before they enter the Promised Land. The instruction distinguishes between permissible collection from non-Israelites and mandatory debt cancellation for fellow Israelites.

The words — The text contrasts תִּגֹּשׂ (ti.Gos), meaning "you will press" or collect, with תַּשְׁמֵט (tash.Met), meaning "let it release" or cancel. These verbs legally separate the treatment of a foreigner's debt from the required forgiveness of a brother's debt.

The thread — This boundary appears in Deuteronomy 23:20 regarding interest, aligns with Exodus 22:25's prohibition on charging the poor, and mirrors the tax distinction in Matthew 17:25. Each passage reinforces a covenantal line between obligations to outsiders and obligations within the community.

Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to accept that covenant membership overrides standard financial enforcement, mandating debt cancellation for fellow Israelites. It establishes that economic practice within the community must reflect divine release rather than contractual obligation.

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

אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַנָּכְרִ֖יha./na.khe.Rithe/ foreigner תִּגֹּ֑שׂti.Gosyou will press וַאֲשֶׁ֨רva./'a.Sherand/ [that] which יִהְיֶ֥הyih.Yehit will belongלְךָ֛le./Khato <the>/ youאֶת־'et-with אָחִ֖יךָ'a.Chi./khacountryman/ your תַּשְׁמֵ֥טtash.Metlet it release יָדֶֽךָ׃ya.De./khahand/ your

King James Version

Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 23:20 You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.
Exodus 22:25 If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.
Matthew 17:25 “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”
John 8:35 A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.
1 Corinthians 6:6 Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!
Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.