John Gill Commentary Deuteronomy 23:15

"Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant that is escaped from his master unto thee:" — Deuteronomy 23:15 (ASV)

You shall not deliver to his master the servant which is
escaped from his master to you.

That is, one that has been used ill by a cruel and tyrannical master, and was in danger of his life with him, or of being lamed by him, and therefore obliged to escape from him on that account; such a one, when he fell into the hands of an Israelite, was not to be taken, bound, and sent back to his master again, but was to be retained till his master's anger subsided; or however until inquiry could be made into the cause of the difference between him and his master, and matters could be made up between them to mutual satisfaction; or if it appeared that the servant's flight was just, and it was not safe for him to return to his master, then he was to be used as directed hereafter; for it cannot be thought that this law was made to encourage and protect every idle, disobedient, and fugitive servant, which would be very sinful and unjust:

the Jewish writers generally understand it of the servants of idolaters fleeing for the sake of religion; Onkelos renders it, ``a servant of the people,'' of Heathen people; the Targum of Jonathan is, ``you shall not deliver a stranger (i.e. a proselyte of righteousness, as Maimonides ^F23 calls this servant) into the hands of those who worship idols, but he shall be delivered by you, that he may be under the shadow of my Shechinah, because he fled from the worship of his idol.''

Jarchi mentions another sense; that it may be understood of ``a Canaanitish servant of an Israelite who flees (from his master) outside the land, where he was not obliged to go with him, and serve him against his will; but I suppose a proselyte is meant;'' and much more then will this hold good of a Hebrew servant in such circumstances.

Aben Ezra interprets this of a servant who is not an Israelite, who, in time of war, flees from his master, who is also not an Israelite, to the camp of Israel, and that for the glory of the divine name which is called upon Israel; such a one, though a servant, might not be delivered to his master.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F23: Hilchot Abadim, c. 8. sect. 11.