And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee. — Better, And if the hand of a stranger, and that a sojourner, attain riches by thee, that is, a stranger who has become a sojourner, or who has taken up his abode among the Israelites, and become prosperous by trading. Such a one had only to submit to the seven commandments given to Noah, and hence had not joined the Jewish religion. For this reason the Chaldee Version translates it, “And if the hand of an uncircumcised sojourner with thee wax strong.”
And thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor. — Better, and thy brother by him wax poor, that is, the Israelite who traded with him is unfortunate in business, and is reduced to poverty.
And sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee. — Better, and sells himself unto the stranger-sojourner by thee. The two terms as before describe the same person — the stranger who has become a sojourner. Hence the Chaldee Version translates it, “and sells himself to the uncircumcised stranger who is with thee.”
Or to the stock of the stranger’s family. — That is, the offshoot or descendant of a foreign family.