For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. (Deuteronomy 15:6)
The Hebrew verb form is historical, “hath blessed thee,” emphasizing the surety of the promise if Israel should obey (see v. 14; ch. 12:7). The promised blessing is so certain that Moses speaks of it as already accomplished.
Lend.
The form of the verb here translated “lend,” means “to give a pledge”; the causative form, as here, means “to cause [others] to give pledges.” This is a promise of material and financial prosperity. They would have been “the head, and not the tail” (ch. 28:13). Had Israel, by compliance with God’s wise requirements, become fit representatives of Him, they would have become the leading commercial and political power of antiquity.
Not borrow.
Literally, “not give a pledge.” Obedience to God’s instructions would prevent their enslavement to any nation, for to be in debt is to run the risk of being enslaved (Prov. 22:7).