thinking bible.

You asked

what was the common understanding of a fair wage or timely payment in 1st century palestine?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15

You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers, or one of your foreigners who are in your land within your gates. You shall give him his hire in his day, before the sun goes down, for he is poor, and sets his heart on it; lest he cry against you to Yahweh, and it be sin to you.

This passage is part of a larger collection of laws in the book of Deuteronomy, presented as Moses' final instructions to the Israelites before they enter the promised land. It addresses various aspects of community life, justice, and compassion, reminding them of their covenant responsibilities.

What responsibilities does this passage highlight for those who have economic power over others?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • James 5:4

    Condemns those who withhold wages from laborers, echoing this ancient principle.

  • Leviticus 19:13

    Commands not to withhold the wages of a hired worker overnight.

  • Malachi 3:5

    Prophetically warns against those who oppress hired workers in their wages.

Ask your own follow-up