Deuteronomy 15:16

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

«فَإنْ قَالَ لَكَ العَبدُ: ‹لَنْ أترُكَكَ،› لِأنَّهُ يُحِبُّكَ وَيُحِبُّ عَائِلَتَكَ، إذْ قَدْ وَجَدَ خَيْرًا لِنَفْسِهِ مَعَكَ،

What Does This Mean?

This verse is about a slave who decides to stay with his master, even though he has the option to go. The slave chooses to stay because he loves his master and the household, and he is happy where he is. Moses is speaking here, giving laws to the Israelites.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a favorite babysitter who you really like. Your parents say, 'You can choose not to have the babysitter come over anymore if you want.' But you say, 'No, I love having them here! I'm so happy when they're with us.' That's kind of what's happening in this verse, but with a slave who chooses to stay with his master.

Historical Background

Deuteronomy was written by Moses around 1200 BCE to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. This text reflects the social and legal norms of that time, addressing how slaves were treated and the relationships between masters and slaves.

Living It Out Today

In modern terms, this could be seen as a worker choosing to stay with an employer because they feel valued and happy in their work environment. It's about loyalty and contentment, even in situations where someone might expect the person to leave.

Topics

• loyalty
• contentment
• masters and slaves
• choices
• love
• relationships

Related Verses

• Exodus 21:5-6
• Leviticus 25:44-46
• 1 Timothy 6:1-2
• Ephesians 6:5-9
• 1 Peter 2:18-25

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the verse mean when it says the slave loves the master?

The verse indicates that the slave feels a deep sense of loyalty and affection for the master, choosing to remain in service out of love rather than obligation or fear.

How does this relate to modern relationships?

It can be seen as a metaphor for choosing to stay in a relationship or job where one feels valued and happy, even when there are other options available.

Was this a common practice in ancient times?

Yes, slavery was common in ancient times, and laws like those in Deuteronomy were created to provide some protections and guidelines for the treatment of slaves.

How does this verse reflect the theme of contentment?

The verse highlights contentment as the slave is happy with his situation and chooses to remain, showing that true satisfaction comes from within and can persist even in challenging circumstances.