UTN uW Translation Notes:

Deuteronomy 15 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

This chapter continues Moses’ second speech that began in chapter 4.- vv. 1-11: Rules for canceling debts every 7 years- vv. 12-18: Rules for fellow Israelite slaves- vv. 19-23: Rules for firstborn male livestock

Special concepts in this chapter

Israelite slaves

This chapter contains rules for owning slaves that were fellow Israelites. An Israelite might work as another Israelite’s slave to pay off debt. Instead of receiving pay, their wages would go toward their debt. The debtor would be their creditor’s property, and they could not work elsewhere. If the word “slave” would not accurately describe this practice in your culture, you could use a comparable term, such as “indentured servant” or “bondservant.” (See: servant)

Other possible translation issues in this chapter

“You”

When Moses refers to the Israelites, he uses both singular and plural forms of “you.” - vv. 1- : “You” is singular.Use pronouns that would be natural in your language for referring to a group of people. (See: figs-youcrowd and writing-pronouns)