Verse 1

seven years = when the seventh year has arrived. Compare Exodus 23:10, Exodus 23:11. Leviticus 25:3, Leviticus 25:4.

release. Compare Exodus 23:10, Exodus 23:11. Leviticus 25:6, Leviticus 25:7. In Ex. and Lev. rest for the land. In Deut, release for the debtor. The noun, shamat, only here and Deuteronomy 31:10. The verb, only in Exodus 23:11 = to let lie down.

Verse 4

Save when. This rendering not in any ancient version. Authorized Version margin has "that there be no poor", &c. Revised Version = howbeit. Compare Deuteronomy 15:11, shall never cease: i.e. or die from your neglect; which would be the case if these laws were not carried out.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Verse 5

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26.

Verse 6

as = according as.

lend = lend in pledge.

reign = rule.

Verse 9

thought = word (= thought expressed).

wicked heart = heart of Belial.

sin = Hebrew. chat"a. See App-44.

Verse 11

never cease. See note on Deuteronomy 15:4.

Verse 12

brother. Supply the Ellipsis (App-6) by adding "[or thy sister]".

Hebrew man. Compare Exodus 21:2. Jeremiah 34:13, Jeremiah 34:14.

Verse 14

floor = threshing-floor.

Verse 16

if he say. Compare Exodus 21:5, Exodus 21:6.

Verse 17

aul. Only here, and Exodus 21:6.

for ever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6, whole time put for part of time.

Verse 18

double. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), put for that which is more than one. App-6.

Verse 19

All, &c. Compare Exodus 34:19, Exodus 34:20.

Verse 21

blemish. Compare Leviticus 22:20-22. Malachi 1:8.

Verse 23

thou. Some codices, with Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, read "ye".