And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord’s release. (Deuteronomy 15:2)
Literally, “matter of the release.” See ch. 19:4, where the same word is translated “case.”
Every creditor that lendeth.
Literally, “every master of the loan of his hand,” meaning, “every owner of what his hand lent to some other person.” This is the law to govern the creditor in each seventh year, in respect to poor people unable to repay their loans.
Neighbour.
The word also means “friend,”“companion,”“associate.” The verb form means “to associate with.”
Not exact it.
The same root in the Arabic has the meaning “to drive vehemently.” Evidently the meaning is that nopressure was to be exerted to recover the debt (see on Ex. 22:25).
That is to say, in honor of Jehovah, to whom the creditor owes all his wealth and well-being, and who has commanded so beneficent a law for the good of the general body of the people.