translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: DEU

label: NET translator note

text: The Hebrew term שְׁמִטָּת ( shÿmittat ), a derivative of the verb שָׁמַט ( shamat , “to release; to relinquish”), refers to the cancellation of the debt and even pledges for the debt of a borrower by his creditor. This could be a full and final remission or, more likely, one for the seventh year only. See R. Wakely, NIDOTTE 4:155-60. Here the words “of debts” are not in the Hebrew text, but are implied. Cf. NAB “a relaxation of debts”; NASB, NRSV “a remission of debts.”


text: Heb “his neighbor,” used idiomatically to refer to another person.


text: Heb “his neighbor and his brother.” The words “his brother” may be a scribal gloss identifying “his neighbor” (on this idiom, see the preceding note) as a fellow Israelite (cf. v. 3 ). In this case the conjunction before “his brother” does not introduce a second category, but rather has the force of “that is.”


text: Heb “your brother.”


label: NET textual note

text: After the phrase “the Lord ” many mss and versions add “your God” to complete the usual full epithet.


text: The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “surely.” Note however, that the use is rhetorical, for the next verse attaches a condition.


text: Heb “the Lord your God.” The pronoun has been used in the translation for stylistic reasons to avoid redundancy.


text: The Hebrew text includes “to possess.”


text: Heb “if listening you listen to the voice of.” The infinitive absolute is used for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “carefully.” The idiom “listen to the voice” means “obey.”


text: Heb “the Lord your God.” See note on “he” in 15:4 .


text: Heb “by being careful to do.”


text: Heb “commanding” (so NASB); NAB “which I enjoin you today.”


text: Heb “one of your brothers” (so NASB); NAB “one of your kinsmen”; NRSV “a member of your community.” See the note at v. 2 .


text: Heb “gates.”


text: Heb “withdraw your hand.” Cf. NIV “hardhearted or tightfisted” (NRSV and NLT similar).


text: Heb “from your needy brother.”


text: The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute before both verbs. The translation indicates the emphasis with the words “be sure to” and “generously,” respectively.


text: Heb “whatever his need that he needs for himself.” This redundant expression has been simplified in the translation for stylistic reasons.


text: Heb “your eye.”


text: Heb “your needy brother.”


text: Heb “give” (likewise in v. 10 ).


text: Heb “it will be a sin to you.”


text: The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “by all means.”


text: 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.


text: The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “make sure.”


text: Heb “your brother.”


text: Heb “your brother, a Hebrew (male) or Hebrew (female).”


text: Heb “him.” The singular pronoun occurs throughout the passage.


text: The Hebrew text includes “from you.”


text: The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “generously.”


text: Heb “he”; the referent (the indentured servant introduced in v. 12 ) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


text: Heb “go out from.” The imperfect verbal form indicates the desire of the subject here.


text: The Hebrew term מִשְׁנֶה ( mishneh , “twice”) could mean “equivalent to” (cf. NRSV) or, more likely, “double” (cf. NAB, NIV, NLT). The idea is that a hired worker would put in only so many hours per day whereas a bondslave was available around the clock.


text: Heb “sanctify” ( תַּקְדִּישׁ , taqdish ), that is, put to use on behalf of the Lord.


text: Heb “the Lord.” The translation uses a pronoun for stylistic reasons. See note on “he” in 15:4 .


text: Heb “any evil blemish”; NASB “any (+ other NAB, TEV) serious defect.”


text: Heb “in your gates.”


text: The LXX adds ἐν σοί ( en soi , “among you”) to make clear that the antecedent is the people and not the animals. That is, the people, whether ritually purified or not, may eat such defective animals.