“You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 23:15
What does Deuteronomy 23:15 mean?
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Deuteronomy 23:15
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This verse offers a profound glimpse into God's heart for the oppressed, revealing that it wasn't just for Hebrew servants fleeing injustice, but even for foreign slaves who sought refuge in Israel. It highlights that escaping cruelty or seeking the divine presence was a valid reason for protection, not a crime to be punished.
“You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a series of laws concerning various social situations and how Israel was to conduct itself within its community and with outsiders. It specifically addresses the treatment of escaped slaves, emphasizing that if a slave flees their master and comes to Israel, they are not to be returned to their former owner. This protection is extended to all who seek refuge within Israel's borders, regardless of their previous status, and is meant to demonstrate God's compassion for the oppressed.
Imagine a desperate soul running for their life, finding safety at last. What was God’s command about what happens next?
This verse is a powerful statement about divine protection and justice. It wasn't about encouraging general disobedience, but about God’s heart for the oppressed.
Sanctuary for the Fleeing
God commanded the Israelites not to return escaped slaves to their masters. This applied specifically to slaves fleeing from surrounding nations, especially those facing cruel treatment or seeking freedom to embrace the true God.
Justice Over Ownership
This law prioritized the well-being and potential spiritual freedom of an individual over the property rights of a master, particularly if that master was unjust or if the flight was motivated by a desire to worship the Lord.
Why would God, in the Old Testament, command protection for runaway slaves? It reveals something profound about His nature.
This command goes beyond mere social policy; it reveals God's character and His concern for justice, even within a society that practiced slavery.
God Hates Tyranny
The scholars point out that God's command was likely rooted in His hatred for tyranny and oppression. He intervened on behalf of those suffering injustice, offering them a chance for a better life and spiritual freedom.
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A Glimpse of Grace
While not abolishing slavery, this law shows a remarkable provision for mercy. It suggests that when a person's life or fundamental freedom (especially spiritual freedom) was at stake, God’s protection took precedence. It was a step towards the ultimate freedom found in Christ.
Understand the original words
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A person legally owned by another; in the context of the Mosaic law, it often refers to those in service or bondage, with specific provisions given for their protection and rights.
This passage, also from the Torah, emphasizes God's concern for the vulnerable by commanding Israel not to oppress or mistreat foreigners, echoing the spirit of protecting those who seek refuge.
Leviticus 19:33-34This speaks to the same principle of compassionate treatment for 'sojourners' or foreigners living among them, highlighting that they should be loved as natives, reinforcing the idea of protecting those outside the immediate community.
Matthew 5:7Jesus' teaching on the Beatitudes states, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy,' which aligns with the merciful act of not returning a runaway slave, showing that divine favor is linked to showing compassion.
Philemon 1:15-16Paul's letter encourages Philemon to receive back his runaway slave Onesimus, not as a slave, but as a beloved brother in Christ, demonstrating a profound transformation of master-slave relations through the gospel, which echoes the spirit of offering freedom and refuge.
clarkeDeuteronomy 23:15: "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:"
Thou shalt not deliver - the servant which is escaped - unto thee - That is, a servant who left an idolatrous master that he might join himself to God and to his people. In any other case, it would have been injustice to have harboured the runaway.
ellicottDeuteronomy 23:15: "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:"
Deuteronomy 23:15-16 .— REFUGEES. Thou shalt not deliver . . . the servant.—Even on Israelitish ground the escaped slave was free. Rashi adds, “Even a Canaanitish slave who has escaped from abroad into the land of Israel.”
This verse offers a profound glimpse into God's heart for the oppressed, revealing that it wasn't just for Hebrew servants fleeing injustice, but even for foreign slaves who sought refuge in Israel. It highlights that escaping cruelty or seeking the divine presence was a valid reason for protection, not a crime to be punished.
This passage is part of a series of laws concerning various social situations and how Israel was to conduct itself within its community and with outsiders. It specifically addresses the treatment of escaped slaves, emphasizing that if a slave flees their master and comes to Israel, they are not to be returned to their former owner. This protection is extended to all who seek refuge within Israel's borders, regardless of their previous status, and is meant to demonstrate God's compassion for the oppressed.
This passage is part of a series of laws concerning various social situations and how Israel was to conduct itself within its community and with outsiders. It specifically addresses the treatment of escaped slaves, emphasizing that if a slave flees their master and comes to Israel, they are not to be returned to their former owner. This protection is extended to all who seek refuge within Israel's borders, regardless of their previous status, and is meant to demonstrate God's compassion for the oppressed.
"“You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you." — This verse offers a profound glimpse into God's heart for the oppressed, revealing that it wasn't just for Hebrew servants fleeing injustice, but even for foreign slaves who sought refuge in Israel.…
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Last reviewed October 2026