Deuteronomy 24:15 Meaning: Pay Before Sundown, Lest He Cry to the Lord
In his day you shall give him his wages, neither shall the sun go down on it, for he is poor and sets his heart on it, lest he cry against you to Yahweh, and it be sin to you.
At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.
in his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it (for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it); lest he cry against thee unto Jehovah, and it be sin unto thee.
in his day thou dost give his hire, and the sun doth not go in upon it, for he is poor, and unto it he is lifting up his soul, and he doth not cry against thee unto Jehovah, and it hath been in thee--sin.
on his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and his soul yearneth after it; lest he cry against thee to Jehovah, and it be a sin in thee.
Meaning in one sentence
This verse commands paying day laborers before sunset, showing God's care for the poor and warning that withholding wages is sin that cries to Him.
Context
This verse sits inside a cluster of laws in Deuteronomy 24 that protect the most vulnerable people in ancient Israel: hired workers, debtors, foreigners, orphans, and widows. Moses is giving these instructions as the people prepare to enter the Promised Land. The surrounding commands address returning a poor man's pledge before nightfall, not oppressing hired servants, and leaving leftover grain for the needy. This particular law about paying wages the same day appears also in Leviticus 19:13, but here the reason is spelled out more fully: the worker is poor and depends on that money immediately. Delaying payment is not just unfair, it carries weight before God.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words open up what is at stake here.
First, the phrase “sets his heart on it” translates a vivid expression: nasa nefesh, literally “lifts up his soul” toward the wage. The worker’s whole being, his hope, his focus, his very breath, is fixed on that payment. He is not asking for a favor; his life depends on it.
Second, the word “cry” (qara) is not just a loud complaint. It is a call for help, often directed to God when human justice fails. The same word appears in Exodus 22:23, where God says He will surely hear the cry of the oppressed. This cry is an appeal to the highest Judge.
Third, the command ends with the word “sin” (chet). Withholding wages is not a minor oversight; it becomes a guilt that clings to the one who holds back. God takes the side of the poor, and what is withheld from them is counted against the holder.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions read this verse as a clear call to economic justice. Anglican commentators point out that the New Testament book of James (5:4) echoes this very law, showing its lasting moral force. Reformed writers like Matthew Henry stress the generosity and honesty required of those who have resources. Catholic tradition, as reflected in the Douay-Rheims translation, emphasizes that the poor maintain their life by these wages, and withholding them is a sin that must be repented of. Wesleyan notes similarly focus on the worker's poverty and the employer's accountability before God. Though traditions differ on how directly Old Testament civil law applies today, all agree that this command reveals God’s heart for the vulnerable and calls His people to treat workers with dignity and promptness.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week, the verse asks a straightforward question: Is anyone waiting on something from you? If you employ people, pay them on time, every time. If you owe a debt, a returned message, or even an apology, do not let the sun go down with it undone. The command is concrete because the need is concrete. The worker who depends on that money cannot wait. And the God who hears the cry of the poor still hears that cry today. You might also think about those whose wages are never paid fairly, workers in distant places or in your own community. Let this verse move you to pray for them, and to act when you can.
Main takeaway: God commands timely payment to the poor because He hears their cry and counts withholding as sin against Himself.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
If someone works for you, you should pay them right away, before the sun goes down. God cares about people who need their money to buy food.
For ages 9, 12
This law shows that God cares about fair treatment of workers. When a person depends on their wages to feed their family, paying them late hurts them badly. God hears when they cry out, and He calls us to be honest and generous in all our dealings, just as He has been generous with us.
Questions People Ask
Why does the sun going down matter in this verse?
In ancient Israel, day laborers were paid at the end of each workday. If the sun went down, they would have to wait until the next day for their money. For a poor worker who needed that wage to buy food for his family that evening, any delay was a real hardship. So the command sets a clear deadline: pay before sundown.
What does “sets his heart on it” mean in Hebrew?
The Hebrew phrase is literally “lifts up his soul” toward the wage (nasa nefesh). It means the worker’s whole being, his hope, his attention, his life, is focused on receiving that payment. He is not just wanting it; he depends on it to survive.
Does this command apply to Christians today?
Many Christians see this as a timeless moral principle because the New Testament book of James (5:4) quotes it. It teaches that God still hears the cry of workers who are cheated. While the specific law was given to ancient Israel, the heart behind it, paying workers fairly and promptly, is woven throughout Scripture and applies to all who follow God.
What is the “sin” mentioned at the end of the verse?
The sin is withholding wages that are due. The Hebrew word chet means an offense that carries guilt. The verse warns that if the worker cries out to God, the employer will be held accountable. The sin is not just against the worker, but against God Himself, who defends the poor.
How does this verse connect to the surrounding laws in Deuteronomy 24?
Verses 10, 22 form a series of protections for the vulnerable: returning a poor man’s cloak before night, paying wages on time, not taking a widow’s garment as a pledge, and leaving leftover harvest for foreigners and orphans. Together they show that God’s people were to remember their own slavery in Egypt and treat the weak with justice and mercy.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study