John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart , etc.] “Or, thy heart of Belial” f166 ; thy worthless heart, and which is without a yoke not subjected to the law of God, as every carnal heart is; and in which Belial, Satan, the prince of this world, works effectually, and inclines to evil thoughts, afflictions, and desires, which are to be guarded against: saying, the seventh year, the year of release, is at hand : perhaps next year, or within a few months: and thine eye be evil against thy brother, and thou give him nought ; being of an uncompassionate and covetous disposition, shall refuse to give or lend him anything on this consideration, because the year of release will quickly come, when, if poor and unable to pay him, he would be obliged to release his debt: and he cry unto the Lord against thee ; go to the throne of grace, and in prayer bring a charge, and lodge a complaint of unkindness and uncharitableness: and it be a sin unto thee; the Lord shall reckon it as a sin, a very heinous one, and call to an account for it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - This year of release typified the grace of the gospel, in which i proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord; and by which we obtain the release of our debts, that is, the pardon of our sins. The law i spiritual, and lays restraints upon the thoughts of the heart. We mistake, if we think thoughts are free from God's knowledge and check That is a wicked heart indeed, which raises evil thoughts from the goo law of God, as theirs did, who, because God had obliged them to the charity of forgiving, denied the charity of giving. Those who woul keep from the act of sin, must keep out of their minds the very though of sin. It is a dreadful thing to have the cry of the poor justl against us. Grudge not a kindness to thy brother; distrust not the providence of God. What thou doest, do freely, for God loves a cheerfu giver, 2Co 9:7.
Original Hebrew השׁמר8104 לך פן6435 יהיה1961 דבר1697 עם5973 לבבך3824 בליעל1100 לאמר559 קרבה7126 שׁנת8141 השׁבע7651 שׁנת8141 השׁמטה8059 ורעה7489 עינך5869 באחיך251 האביון34 ולא3808 תתן5414 לו וקרא7121 עליך5921 אל413 יהוה3068 והיה1961 בך חטא׃2399
