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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-14.htm" title="Deuteronomy 23:14">◄</a> Deuteronomy 23:15 <a href="/deuteronomy/23-16.htm" title="Deuteronomy 23:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not return a slave to his master when he has escaped from his master to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not return a slave to his master when he has escaped from his master to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant that is escaped from his master unto thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When runaway slaves from other countries come to Israel and ask for protection, you must not hand them back to their owners. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If a slave escapes from his master and comes to you, don't return him to his master.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"If slaves run away from their owners and come to you for protection, do not send them back. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Don't hand over a slave who escaped from his master when he runs to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not return an escaped slave to his master when he has run away to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not deliver to his master a servant who is escaped from his master to you:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver to his master the servant who hath escaped from his master to thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not shut up a servant to his lord, who escapes to you from his lord;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Thou dost not shut up a servant unto his lord, who is delivered unto thee from his lord;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver the servant to his lord who shall be delivered to thee from his lord.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver to his master the servant that is fled to thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not deliver a servant who has fled to you to his master.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not hand over to their master any slaves who have taken refuge with you from their master.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Slaves who have escaped to you from their owners shall not be given back to them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not hand a Servant over to his Master who has fled to you from his Master:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a bondman that is escaped from his master unto thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not deliver a servant to his master, who <i>coming</i> from his master attaches himself to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=6348" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/23.htm">Miscellaneous Laws</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5462.htm" title="5462: ṯas·gîr (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To shut, close. A primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender.">return</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘e·ḇeḏ (N-ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">a slave</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">his master</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: yin·nā·ṣêl (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">if he has taken refuge</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: mê·‘im (Prep-m) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix."></a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- To, into, towards. ">with you.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Exodus 21:16</a></span><br />Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-33.htm">Leviticus 19:33-34</a></span><br />When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him. / You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philemon/1-15.htm">Philemon 1:15-16</a></span><br />For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-11.htm">1 Samuel 30:11-15</a></span><br />Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat— / a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights. / Then David asked him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” “I am an Egyptian,” he replied, “the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me three days ago when I fell ill. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/16-3.htm">Isaiah 16:3-4</a></span><br />“Give us counsel; render a decision. Shelter us at noonday with shade as dark as night. Hide the refugees; do not betray the one who flees. / Let my fugitives stay with you; be a refuge for Moab from the destroyer.” When the oppressor has gone, destruction has ceased, and the oppressors have vanished from the land,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a></span><br />It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21-23</a></span><br />Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. / For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8-17</a></span><br />After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. / So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-1.htm">Colossians 4:1</a></span><br />Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Ephesians 6:9</a></span><br />And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22-23</a></span><br />Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, / for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a></span><br />“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a></span><br />You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12-17</a></span><br />because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. / I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not deliver to his master the servant which is escaped from his master to you:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/30-15.htm">1 Samuel 30:15</a></b></br> And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/obadiah/1-14.htm">Obadiah 1:14</a></b></br> Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/16-12.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-14.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/numbers/21-29.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-53.htm">Master</a> <a href="/numbers/35-32.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-3.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-12.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-14.htm">Slave</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/24-18.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-13.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-9.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/joshua/8-22.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/judges/3-25.htm">Master</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-37.htm">Refuge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-17.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-7.htm">Slave</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-1.htm">Who may or may not enter into the congregation</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-9.htm">Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Of the fugitive servant</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Of filthiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-18.htm">Of abominable sacrifices</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-19.htm">Of usury</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-20.htm">Of vows</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-24.htm">Of trespass</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not return a slave to his master</b><br>This command reflects a significant departure from the practices of surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures, where returning runaway slaves was common. In Israel, the law provided protection for escaped slaves, emphasizing compassion and justice. This principle aligns with the broader biblical theme of liberation and God's concern for the oppressed, as seen in the Exodus narrative where God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The command also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of spiritual freedom in Christ, as seen in <a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>, where believers are called to stand firm in their freedom and not be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.<p><b>if he has taken refuge with you</b><br>The phrase suggests a scenario where a slave seeks asylum, indicating a desperate situation where the slave is fleeing from harsh treatment or seeking a better life. The concept of refuge is significant throughout Scripture, often associated with God's protection and care for those in distress. This mirrors the cities of refuge established in Israel for those seeking protection from avengers (<a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">Numbers 35:9-15</a>). The idea of refuge is also a type of Christ, who offers ultimate refuge and salvation to all who come to Him (<a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>). The provision for a slave to find refuge in Israel underscores the nation's call to be a light to the nations, demonstrating God's justice and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/slave.htm">Slave</a></b><br>A person who has escaped from their master and seeks refuge.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/master.htm">Master</a></b><br>The owner from whom the slave has fled.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter and where these laws will be applied.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_human_dignity.htm">Value of Human Dignity</a></b><br>The command not to return a runaway slave underscores the importance of human dignity and freedom. It reflects God's concern for the oppressed and marginalized.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_and_refuge.htm">Compassion and Refuge</a></b><br>Providing refuge to those in need is a recurring biblical theme. This law encourages the Israelites to act with compassion and offer protection to those seeking safety.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_over_legalism.htm">Justice Over Legalism</a></b><br>The law prioritizes justice and mercy over strict adherence to social norms or legalistic practices. It challenges believers to consider the spirit of the law in their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_protection.htm">God's Sovereignty and Protection</a></b><br>By allowing a slave to find refuge, the Israelites acknowledge God's sovereignty in providing protection and justice for all individuals, regardless of their social status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/application_in_modern_context.htm">Application in Modern Context</a></b><br>In today's world, this principle can be applied to issues of asylum, human trafficking, and social justice, urging believers to advocate for and protect the vulnerable.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_permit_slavery_in_the_bible.htm">Why did God allow slavery in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_israel's_cities_of_refuge.htm">Deuteronomy 19:2-3: Is there any archaeological evidence of Israel establishing and maintaining these cities of refuge as described?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_15_5_align_with_deut._23_20.htm">Psalm 15:5 forbids charging interest; how does this align with other Old Testament passages that allow interest to foreigners (e.g., Deuteronomy 23:20)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_followers_called_both_'friends'_and_'servants'.htm">John 15:15: How can Jesus call his followers 'friends' here, yet other scriptures refer to them as 'servants' or 'slaves' (e.g., Romans 1:1)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><a href="/context/deuteronomy/23-15.htm" title="You shall not deliver to his master the servant which is escaped from his master to you:">Deuteronomy 23:15-16</a>.--<span class= "bld">REFUGEES.</span><p><span class= "bld">Thou shalt not deliver . . . the servant.</span>--Even on Israelitish ground the escaped slave was free. Rashi adds, "Even a Canaanitish slave who has escaped from abroad into <span class= "ital">the land </span>of Israel."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 15, 16.</span> - A slave that had escaped from his master was not to be given up, but allowed to dwell in the land, in whatever part he might choose. The reference is to a foreign slave who had fled from the harsh treatment of his master to seek refuge in Israel, as is evident from the expression, <span class="hebrew">בְאַחַד שְׁעָרֵיך</span>, "in one of thy gates," <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. <span class="accented">in</span> any part of thy land. Onkelos, <span class="hebrew">עֲבִד עַמְמִין</span>, "a slave of the Gentiles." His master; the word used is the plural <span class="accented">adonim</span>, masters. The use of this for a human master or lord is peculiar to the Pentateuch (cf. <a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Genesis 24:9, 51</a>; <a href="/genesis/39-2.htm">Genesis 39:2</a>; <a href="/genesis/40-1.htm">Genesis 40:1</a>; <a href="/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4, 6, 32</a>, etc.). In this use of the term there is no reference to severity of rule, as if this were a plural intensive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">return</span><br /><span class="heb">תַסְגִּ֥יר</span> <span class="translit">(ṯas·gîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5462.htm">Strong's 5462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shut up, to surrender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a slave</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֖בֶד</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·ḇeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his master</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if he has taken refuge</span><br /><span class="heb">יִנָּצֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(yin·nā·ṣêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with you.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 23:15 You shall not deliver to his master (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 23:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 23:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 23:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 23:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>