If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
If there is a poor person among your fellow Israelites in any town in the land the LORD your God is giving you, don't harden your heart or close your hand against your poor brother.
God is commanding His people not to ignore or refuse help to poor people in their community, but to keep their hearts and hands open to them.
📚 Historical Context
Moses was giving final instructions to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. This command was part of laws about caring for the poor, including the seven-year release of debts and Hebrew servants. In ancient Israel, helping the poor wasn't just charity—it was a religious duty that reflected God's character and maintained community unity.
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