How often were debts forgiven in the Bible?

Asked by: Ella Weissnat  |  Last update: September 1, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (43 votes)

1 And, while Old Testament lenders were admonished to be merciful, debts were canceled every seven years whether they liked it or not. The Old Testament model can, therefore, be legitimately applied to modern day bankruptcy laws.

How often was debt forgiven in the Bible?

At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.

Does the Bible say to forgive debts every 7 years?

Deuteronomy 15:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money. This is how it must be done.

Does the Bible mention debt forgiveness?

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 15, God says that every seven years, creditors should “remit the claim that is held against a neighbor” because “the Lord's remission has been proclaimed.” In the New Testament, Jesus instructs his followers to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12, ...

How often is forgiveness mentioned in the Bible?

How many times is forgiveness mentioned in the Bible? The word forgiveness appears 15 times, forgive shows up 121 times, and forgiven makes an appearance a total of 55 times. All these instances of the word(s) are according to the NIV version of the Bible located on Biblegateway.com.

Is Financial DEBT Forgiveness in the Bible?

16 related questions found

Why did Jesus say 77 times?

Jesus speaks of forgiveness beyond what anyone had ever considered before: seventy times seven! Many commentaries understand this to mean that Jesus was telling Peter that he should forgive his brother a limitless number of times.

How many times did God ask us to forgive?

Matthew 18:21-35 New International Version (NIV)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Where in the Bible does it say not to pay debt?

Proverbs 22:26-27 ERV. Don't promise to pay someone else's debt. If you cannot pay, you will lose everything you have. So why should you lose the bed you sleep on?

What happened every 7 years in the Bible?

Every seventh year, the land is to lie fallow. No sowing of fields or pruning of vineyards is allowed in this Sabbath year. Echoing the commandment in chapter 23, it is to be “a sabbath of complete rest for the land, a sabbath for the LORD” (25:4).

Is there such a thing as debt forgiveness?

Debt forgiveness is when a creditor — a lender, credit card issuer, etc. — agrees to cancel a portion of (or with some types of debts, all of) an outstanding debt you have with them. It's more common with certain types of debts, like federal student loans, for example.

Are all debts forgiven after 7 years?

It's a question many people ask, especially when they have accounts in collections or are trying to rebuild their credit. The answer depends on the type of debt. In most cases, these negative marks will drop off your report after seven years, but certain debts can stick around for up to 10 years — or even longer.

What is the parable of forgiveness of debt?

The 'Parable of the Unforgiving Servant' is from the Christian Bible: Matthew 18:21-35. It details the story of a servant who was forgiven a massive (unrepayable) debt, only to refuse forgiveness to another servant who owed a relatively small debt.

Is it a sin to owing debt?

The Bible never says that going into debt is a sin. However, it issues a very stark warning: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender”.

What did Jesus teach about debt?

Matthew 6:12 is Jesus' second reference to lending- related terms, this time focusing on our debt to God and those in debt to us: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Like Matthew 5:42 above, this teaching is included in the Sermon on the Mount, directed both to the disciples and the world ...

When did debt forgiveness start?

The earliest time in which borrowers could receive forgiveness under the program was after October 1, 2017.

Where in the Bible does it talk about the king forgiving the debt?

“The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy? ' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt.

Is debt forgiven after 7 years in the Bible?

“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.

What is the 7 year warning in the Bible?

The 7-year tribulation is when Satan will make one final attempt to steal God's throne before he is forever overthrown. This time is marked by great troubles. In other words, it's going to get worse before it gets better—but there is a better coming.

How long will the rapture last?

The Rapture itself will be a matter of seconds. However, the saints that are Raptured will remain in heaven for around 3 1/2 years during which there will be a married feast for Jesus. After this period Jesus will return to the earth with his Saints, destroy the wicked and establish the millennium kingdom.

Does the Bible forgive debt?

Jesus also taught us to ask God to "forgive us our debts [sins] as we forgive our debtors [those who sin against us]" (Matthew 6:12, Luke 11:4).

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” What does the Bible say about tattoos? That's it—that one line in Leviticus 19:28 of the Old Testament. But context is key—and this scripture may not apply to us in the way it looks.

What does the Bible say about cremation?

While the Bible doesn't explicitly endorse cremation, there's also no scriptural passage that directly prohibits it.

Why did Jesus say forgive 70 times 7?

Why does the Bible say 7 Times 70? This passage emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and highlights the potential consequences for failing to embody this virtue.

What does 490 mean in the Bible?

The number 490 is also the value of the Hebrew phrase “Let your heart be perfect” (1 Kings 8:61 KJV). Forgiving helps make us complete, and it is key to perfecting our hearts before the Lord. But there are some even deeper connections.

Can you forgive someone and not talk to them in the Bible?

To forgive in a biblical sense is to recognize and regard someone and their actions towards you in light of and through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This does not require you to ever see that person again.