Leviticus 19:13 kjv
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
Leviticus 19:13 nkjv
'You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.
Leviticus 19:13 niv
"?'Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. "?'Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.
Leviticus 19:13 esv
"You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.
Leviticus 19:13 nlt
"Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. "Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay.
Leviticus 19 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 24:14-15 | "You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor... you shall pay him his wages on the same day before the sun sets..." | Explicitly reiterates and emphasizes the timely payment of wages for poor hired workers. |
| Jer 22:13 | "Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve for nothing and does not give him his wages," | Denounces withholding wages as an act of severe injustice leading to woe. |
| Mal 3:5 | "...against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages..." | Identifies defrauding the hired worker as a transgression against God that He will judge. |
| Jas 5:4 | "Behold, the wages of the laborers... which you kept back by fraud, are crying out..." | Condemns the withholding of wages as a cry of injustice that reaches the ears of God. |
| Prov 3:27-28 | "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,' when you have it with you." | A wisdom principle reflecting the spirit of prompt and just dealings. |
| Mic 2:2 | "...they covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a person and his inheritance." | Broad condemnation of taking what rightfully belongs to another, echoing "defraud" and "rob." |
| Exo 20:15 / Deut 5:19 | "You shall not steal." | General prohibition against theft, foundational to the specific prohibitions in Lev 19:13. |
| Eph 4:28 | "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him toil, doing honest work..." | New Testament application for believers to abandon unjust acquisition and embrace honest labor. |
| Mark 10:19 | "You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud...'" | Jesus includes "Do not defraud" in His summary of commandments, confirming its moral weight. |
| 1 Cor 6:7-8 | "...Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud..." | Addresses the sin of defrauding even among believers, highlighting its gravity. |
| 1 Thes 4:6 | "that no one transgress and defraud his brother in this matter..." | Warns against defrauding a brother, indicating unethical business practices among others. |
| Prov 22:16 | "Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty." | Proverbial warning against the practice of oppression for personal gain. |
| Lev 25:50 | "...he shall pay for his redemption in proportion to the years remaining until the Year of Jubilee..." | While about a slave's redemption, it highlights the principle of fair proportional compensation. |
| Rom 13:7 | "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." | Broad command to render to everyone what is due, encompassing payment of wages and debts. |
| Matt 7:12 | "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them..." | The Golden Rule, a summary principle undergirding the fairness commanded in Lev 19:13. |
| Matt 20:8 | "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages...'" | Parable implicitly assumes the custom of paying laborers at the end of the day. |
| Ps 10:2-3 | "In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire; the greedy man curses and renounces the LORD." | Depicts the wickedness of the arrogant oppressing the poor. |
| Ps 62:10 | "Do not trust in oppression or take pride in robbery..." | Direct admonition against reliance on oppression and robbery as a means of gain. |
| Prov 22:22-23 | "Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the Lord will plead their cause..." | Explicit warning against robbing and oppressing the poor, emphasizing God as their advocate. |
| Isa 58:6-7 | "...to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free... to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house..." | Broader call for justice and freeing the oppressed, demonstrating a compassionate heart for the needy. |
| Lev 19:18 | "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." | Provides the foundational principle of "love your neighbor" for all the ethical commands in the chapter, including Lev 19:13. |
| Rom 13:9 | "...'You shall not covet'; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" | New Testament reaffirmation that commands like those in Lev 19:13 fall under loving one's neighbor. |
Leviticus 19 verses
Leviticus 19 13 Meaning
Leviticus 19:13 is a divine command that establishes three critical principles for Israelite society, focusing on just and compassionate treatment within the community. Firstly, it prohibits defrauding or exploiting one's neighbor through deceptive or oppressive means. Secondly, it forbids outright robbery, which involves seizing possessions by force or violence. Finally, and with specific detail, it commands that the wages of a hired laborer must not be withheld overnight, ensuring immediate payment to those who depend on their daily earnings for their livelihood. This verse underscores God's concern for ethical conduct in all dealings, especially protecting the vulnerable from economic injustice and oppression.
Leviticus 19 13 Context
Leviticus chapter 19 is a pivotal section within the Mosaic Law, often referred to as the "Holiness Code." It immediately follows chapters detailing various ceremonial laws and transitions into the practical outworking of God's holiness in daily life. The chapter begins with God's foundational command to Israel: "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Lev 19:2). The subsequent verses detail a comprehensive list of ethical and moral injunctions covering a wide range of human interactions. These commands address religious practices (e.g., proper offerings, sabbaths), social justice (e.g., care for the poor, honest weights), respect for parents and elders, sexual purity, and integrity in speech and business dealings.
Leviticus 19:13 is nestled within a block of commandments (Lev 19:11-18) that emphasize integrity, truthfulness, and fairness in one's dealings with fellow human beings, particularly within the Israelite community. This section includes prohibitions against stealing, lying, swearing falsely, slandering, and standing idly by while a neighbor is in danger. The command against defrauding, robbing, and withholding wages highlights God's demand for economic justice and compassion, demonstrating that true holiness is not merely ritualistic but extends to every aspect of social and financial interaction. The specific instruction about timely payment to hired laborers reveals a profound understanding of the ancient Near Eastern context where daily wages were essential for immediate survival for many.
Leviticus 19 13 Word analysis
Thou shalt not defraud (לֹא תוֹנֶה – lo toneh): The Hebrew verb ’anah means "to oppress, deal fraudulently with, wrong, vex, exploit." This term describes actions that are insidious, often involving deception, manipulation, or taking advantage of someone's vulnerability without overt violence. It implies a subtle form of exploitation where one gains unfairly from another, distinct from direct theft.
thy neighbour (אֶת־עֲמִיתֶךָ – et amitĕka): The term 'amith refers to one's "associate, fellow citizen, kinsman, countryman." In the context of the Holiness Code, "neighbor" often refers primarily to fellow Israelites within the covenant community, but its principles frequently extended to the resident alien (sojourner) as well, emphasizing a universal ethical standard within God's people.
neither rob him (וְלֹא תִגְזֹל – vəlo tigzōl): The Hebrew verb gazal means "to rob, plunder, seize, tear away." This prohibition speaks of more forceful or violent acquisition of property or possessions. It denotes overt taking, whether by direct violence, coercion, or illegitimate seizure of goods. While defrauding involves trickery, robbing implies direct force or unjust confiscation.
the wages (שְׂכַר – śeḵar): This noun refers to "wage, reward, hire, compensation." It is the stipulated payment for labor or services rendered, highlighting the principle of receiving just remuneration for one's work.
of him that is hired (שָׂכִיר – śāḵîr): This term signifies a "hired laborer" or "mercenary." In ancient Israel, such individuals were often poor, having no land or permanent means of support, and thus relied solely on their daily earnings for their immediate sustenance and that of their families. They were among the most vulnerable members of society.
shall not abide with thee all night until the morning (לֹא־תָלִין אִתְּךָ שְׂכִיר עַד־בֹּקֶר): Literally, "shall not cause to spend the night with you... until morning." This phrase powerfully underscores the urgency and humanitarian aspect of the law. It demands immediate payment for the daily laborer, typically at the end of the workday before sunset. Delaying payment even until the next morning was deemed a form of oppression, as it could deprive the laborer and their family of essential food or shelter. It points to a direct correlation between timely payment and the basic needs of life.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him": This dual prohibition highlights the breadth of God's command for ethical and just economic dealings. It covers both the subtle, deceitful exploitation (defrauding) and the overt, forceful seizure of property (robbing). Together, these commands lay the foundation for a society free from unjust gain, whether through cunning or might. They underscore respect for one's neighbor's rightful possessions and earnings.
- "the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning": This specific command serves as a practical, humanitarian application of the broader principles against fraud and robbery. It zeroes in on a particular act of injustice—withholding the wages of a daily laborer. This particular prohibition is so crucial because hired workers, often among the poorest, depended on their daily earnings for their immediate survival, meaning a delay in payment, even overnight, could cause significant hardship or starvation. This detailed regulation demonstrates God's deep concern for the most economically vulnerable and the meticulous justice He demands in society.
Leviticus 19 13 Bonus section
The strong emphasis on the rights of the hired worker in Leviticus 19:13, repeated elsewhere in the Torah, reflects a divine characteristic: God as the defender and provider for the oppressed, the poor, and those who have no earthly patron. This principle aligns with God's very nature, as seen in His deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt—a profound act of freeing oppressed laborers. By mandating timely payment, God establishes a foundational aspect of social welfare and protection that far surpassed many practices in other ancient Near Eastern cultures, showcasing the distinctive moral and ethical framework of the covenant community. This command serves as a miniature social safety net, providing immediate relief and ensuring the continuity of basic needs. It reflects the theological truth that righteous living includes active pursuit of justice and compassion for fellow human beings, as an expression of love for God.
Leviticus 19 13 Commentary
Leviticus 19:13 is a concise yet profoundly impactful command illustrating the practical outworking of God's holiness in the lives of His people. It establishes foundational principles of economic justice and compassion, demanding fair and ethical treatment for all, particularly the vulnerable. The prohibitions against defrauding and robbing lay down general laws against unjust acquisition, covering both subtle deception and overt violence. These acts directly contradict the divine call to love one's neighbor and treat them with integrity, as implied by the larger context of the Holiness Code.
The specific injunction regarding the timely payment of a hired laborer's wages underscores the radical compassion embedded in God's Law. In an ancient society where daily wage earners often lived hand-to-mouth, delaying payment, even by a few hours, could mean the difference between sustenance and severe hunger for the laborer and their family. This command, reiterated in Deuteronomy, ensures that those who exert physical labor for sustenance are not exploited but receive immediate compensation for their work. It signifies that true reverence for God extends to equitable and compassionate economic practices, holding employers accountable to principles of justice rather than allowing them to leverage their power to the detriment of the vulnerable. It's a reminder that holiness permeates every interaction, even mundane financial transactions.