Deuteronomy 23:15
New International Version
If a slave has taken refuge with you, do not hand them over to their master.

New Living Translation
“If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters.

English Standard Version
“You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

New King James Version
“You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

NASB 1995
“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

NASB 1977
“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

Amplified Bible
“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.

Christian Standard Bible
“Do not return a slave to his master when he has escaped from his master to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not return a slave to his master when he has escaped from his master to you.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant that is escaped from his master unto thee:

Contemporary English Version
When runaway slaves from other countries come to Israel and ask for protection, you must not hand them back to their owners.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If a slave escapes from his master and comes to you, don't return him to his master.

Good News Translation
"If slaves run away from their owners and come to you for protection, do not send them back.

International Standard Version
"Don't hand over a slave who escaped from his master when he runs to you.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.

NET Bible
You must not return an escaped slave to his master when he has run away to you.

New Heart English Bible
You shall not deliver to his master a servant who is escaped from his master to you:

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not deliver to his master the servant who hath escaped from his master to thee:

World English Bible
You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not shut up a servant to his lord, who escapes to you from his lord;

Young's Literal Translation
'Thou dost not shut up a servant unto his lord, who is delivered unto thee from his lord;

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not deliver the servant to his lord who shall be delivered to thee from his lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not deliver to his master the servant that is fled to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not deliver a servant who has fled to you to his master.

New American Bible
You shall not hand over to their master any slaves who have taken refuge with you from their master.

New Revised Standard Version
Slaves who have escaped to you from their owners shall not be given back to them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not hand a Servant over to his Master who has fled to you from his Master:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a bondman that is escaped from his master unto thee;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt not deliver a servant to his master, who coming from his master attaches himself to thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Miscellaneous Laws
15Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you. 16Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him.…

Cross References
Exodus 21:16
Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.

Leviticus 19:33-34
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.

Philemon 1:15-16
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.

1 Samuel 30:11-15
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. ...

Isaiah 16:3-4
“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,

Matthew 25:35-40
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? ...

Galatians 5:1
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.

1 Corinthians 7:21-23
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.

Jeremiah 34:8-17
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, ...

Colossians 4:1
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Ephesians 6:9
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.

Proverbs 22:22-23
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.

Luke 4:18-19
“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.”

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Job 29:12-17
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. ...


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not deliver to his master the servant which is escaped from his master to you:

1 Samuel 30:15
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.

Obadiah 1:14
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.

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Deuteronomy 23
1. Who may or may not enter into the congregation
9. Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host
15. Of the fugitive servant
17. Of filthiness
18. Of abominable sacrifices
19. Of usury
20. Of vows
24. Of trespass














If a slave
The Hebrew word for "slave" here is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can mean a servant or bondman. In ancient Israel, slavery was a recognized institution, but it was distinct from the harsh slavery seen in other cultures. The Mosaic Law provided protections for slaves, reflecting a more humane approach. This word sets the stage for understanding the social and legal context of ancient Israel, where even those in servitude had rights and could seek protection.

has sought refuge
The phrase "sought refuge" implies a deliberate action by the slave to escape from a situation of oppression or danger. The Hebrew root "נוס" (nus) means to flee or escape. This highlights the agency of the individual seeking safety and the moral responsibility of the community to provide sanctuary. It underscores the biblical principle of compassion and protection for the vulnerable, aligning with the broader scriptural theme of God as a refuge for the oppressed.

with you
The phrase "with you" indicates a personal responsibility placed upon the individual or community. In the context of ancient Israel, this would mean that the Israelites were to embody God's justice and mercy. The personal pronoun emphasizes the direct involvement and moral obligation of the believer to act in accordance with God's laws, reflecting His character in their actions.

do not hand him over
The command "do not hand him over" is a direct prohibition, emphasizing the protection of the fugitive slave. The Hebrew verb "סגר" (sagar) means to deliver or give up. This instruction reflects a counter-cultural stance, as returning escaped slaves was common in other ancient Near Eastern societies. The command underscores the value of human life and dignity, and the importance of justice over economic or social convenience.

to his master
The term "master" here is "אֲדוֹן" (adon), which can mean lord or owner. In this context, it refers to the person who claims ownership over the slave. The verse challenges the absolute authority of the master, placing divine law above human ownership. This reflects the biblical theme that all people are ultimately accountable to God, who is the true Master and Lord over all creation.

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."

Verses 15, 16. - 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, בְאַחַד שְׁעָרֵיך, "in one of thy gates," i.e. in any part of thy land. Onkelos, עֲבִד עַמְמִין, "a slave of the Gentiles." His master; the word used is the plural adonim, masters. The use of this for a human master or lord is peculiar to the Pentateuch (cf. Genesis 24:9, 51; Genesis 39:2; Genesis 40:1; Exodus 21:4, 6, 32, etc.). In this use of the term there is no reference to severity of rule, as if this were a plural intensive.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

return
תַסְגִּ֥יר (ṯas·gîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

a slave
עֶ֖בֶד (‘e·ḇeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his master
אֲדֹנָ֑יו (’ă·ḏō·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

if he has taken refuge
יִנָּצֵ֥ל (yin·nā·ṣêl)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

with you.
אֵלֶ֖יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 23:15 You shall not deliver to his master (Deut. De Du)
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