complete verse (Deuteronomy 15:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 15:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “You may claim payment of debts from foreigners, but you are to throw away (write off) a debt by any person of Israel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But to the foreigners May force to pay back, but you must leave the loan that you gave to your brothers.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) can require-payment from the not Israelinhon, but you (plur.) must cancel the debt of your (plur.) fellow Israelinhon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “During that year you may require foreigners who live among you to pay what they owe you, but you must not try to require that any fellow Israeli pay you what he owes you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 15:3

This verse makes it clear that the law applies only to Israelites; foreigners must pay their debts, as usual (see similar discrimination in 23.20). Another way to say this is “You may collect money that a foreigner owes you.”

Whatever of yours is with your brother: that is, whatever a fellow-Israelite owes you; that debt must be forgiven.

Your brother: your fellow-Israelite.

Your hand shall release: this is an idiomatic way of saying “you must cancel [or, forgive].” The most common verb used for the cancellation of debts should be chosen.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .