Leviticus 19:14 kjv
Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling-block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:14 nkjv
You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:14 niv
"?'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:14 esv
You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:14 nlt
"Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 27:18 | 'Cursed is the one who makes the blind wander off the road.'... | Direct parallel; expands the curse against exploiting the blind. |
| Job 29:15-16 | I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame... | Job's righteousness included caring for the disabled. |
| Ps 146:8 | The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down... | God Himself cares for and provides for the blind. |
| Prov 24:11 | Rescue those who are being led away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter... | General principle of aiding those in danger/vulnerability. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge... | Establishes "fear of the LORD" as foundational wisdom and morality. |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Reiterates the core importance of reverence for God for moral discernment. |
| Eccl 12:13 | Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | Summarizes human duty as rooted in fearing God and obedience. |
| Matt 10:42 | And whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water... | Care for the vulnerable and marginalized rewarded. |
| Matt 18:6 | "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble..." | Spiritual parallel to placing a stumbling block, especially for the innocent in faith. |
| Rom 14:13 | Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. | Broadens the concept of stumbling block to spiritual/conscience issues within the community. |
| 1 Cor 8:9 | But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. | Warns against using Christian freedom in a way that harms the weaker believer. |
| 1 Cor 10:32 | Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God... | General call to avoid causing spiritual offense or harm. |
| Phil 1:10 | that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense... | Implies living in a way that causes no spiritual stumbling for others. |
| Lev 19:18 | You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. | Broader context of the love commandment; caring for vulnerable fits this. |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ... | Connects to God seeing hidden deeds and eventual divine accountability. |
| Heb 4:13 | And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him... | Reinforces the truth that God sees all, including hidden intentions and actions. |
| Ps 139:1-4 | O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up... | God's omnipresence and perfect knowledge, reinforcing the reason for "fear your God." |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | God's omniscience extends to monitoring both hidden wickedness and righteousness. |
| Matt 5:28 | But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her... | Jesus expands the law to the thoughts and intentions of the heart, reflecting God's inner scrutiny. |
| Isa 35:5-6 | Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped... | Prophetic promise of healing and restoration, highlighting God's care for those with disabilities. |
| Jas 1:27 | Pure and undefiled religion before God... is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble... | Practical expression of compassion and care for the vulnerable, embodying the spirit of the law. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? | Encompasses the ethical demands: justice for all, including the vulnerable, driven by inner humility. |
Leviticus 19 verses
Leviticus 19 14 Meaning
Leviticus 19:14 prohibits exploiting the vulnerabilities of the physically disadvantaged for personal gain or amusement, specifically by cursing the deaf or placing obstacles before the blind. The commandment extends beyond outward conformity by emphasizing the internal motive: "but shall fear your God," because only God witnesses such hidden transgressions. It concludes with the divine declaration "I am the LORD," affirming God's authority and omnipresent judgment, particularly over secret sins. This verse underscores a profound ethic of protecting the weakest members of society and points to an internal righteousness that aligns with God's character.
Leviticus 19 14 Context
Leviticus 19 is often called the "Holiness Code" (or part of it), emphasizing how God's people are to reflect His holiness in their daily lives. This chapter lists a series of diverse commands that define holy conduct, moving from instructions about sacrifices and feasts to interpersonal ethics. Many of these laws aim at social justice and compassion. The surrounding verses address fair treatment in business, honesty, respect for elders, and the prohibition of practices common among pagan neighbors (like consulting mediums). Verse 14 stands out by addressing particularly insidious sins: those committed against vulnerable individuals who cannot easily detect or report the harm done to them. The "fear your God" clause frequently appears throughout Leviticus 19 (e.g., vv. 3, 30, 32, 36) to underscore that obedience stems from an internal reverence for the all-seeing LORD, not just external compliance or human judgment. It subtly polemicizes against any cultural disregard for the disabled common in the ancient Near East, establishing Israel as a society uniquely marked by compassion and divine accountability.
Word Analysis
- You shall not curse (לֹא־תְקַלֵּ֥ל lo-t'qalel): The verb qalal means "to be slight, trifling," hence "to curse" by treating with contempt or uttering insults. This is not mere gossip, but an act of devaluing and expressing ill-will towards someone, often intended to cause harm or bad fortune.
- the deaf (חֵרֵ֑שׁ ḥērēsh): Refers to those who cannot hear. The sin is particularly malicious because the victim is unaware of the verbal assault, rendering the act impossible to rectify or rebuke socially. It highlights the perpetrator's intent, not the victim's perception.
- nor put a stumbling block (וּמִכְשׁוֹל֙ לֹ֣א תִתֵּ֔ן u-mikhshol lo titten): Mikhshol (stumbling block) is a physical obstacle, trap, or anything that causes one to trip and fall. Titten means "you shall give/put." This refers to deliberately placing an impediment. The law emphasizes exploiting a person's physical disadvantage for harm, cruelty, or even just malicious mischief.
- before the blind (לִפְנֵ֣י עִוֵּ֑ר lifnei ivver): Refers to those who cannot see. Like cursing the deaf, this act targets an individual's inability to detect harm, ensuring the perpetrator can act with impunity from human oversight.
- but shall fear your God (וְיָרֵאתָ֙ מֵֽאֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ v'yareta me'loheykha): The phrase yare means to "fear, stand in awe of, reverence." This isn't mere dread, but a profound respect and understanding of God's omnipresence and perfect justice. It signifies that even in acts undetectable by human society, God sees and holds accountable. This elevates the ethical standard from mere societal conformity to inner, God-aware integrity.
- I am the LORD (אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֔ה ani YHWH): This divine self-attestation, Yahweh's covenant name, serves as the ultimate guarantee and authority for the commandment. It asserts God's sovereignty, omnipotence, and covenant faithfulness. It implies that Yahweh Himself is the guardian and avenger of the vulnerable, reinforcing the earlier "fear your God" command. This serves as the foundation for the moral law – it is given by the God who knows all, demands righteousness, and upholds justice.
Leviticus 19 14 Commentary
Leviticus 19:14 offers profound insight into God's moral standards. It protects the most vulnerable from unseen abuse, whether through malicious words directed at the deaf or physical dangers laid for the blind. These are sins that human society cannot effectively police because the victim cannot report them, highlighting God's unique concern for internal righteousness. The concluding command to "fear your God" serves as the foundational motive, signifying that one's behavior, even in secret, must be governed by an awareness of God's presence and character. "I am the LORD" functions as the divine assurance that such hidden wrongs do not go unnoticed and will be accounted for by the all-seeing, just God of the covenant. This law pushes beyond superficial piety to cultivate a heart that aligns with God's compassionate nature, reflecting holiness through ethical treatment of all, especially the helpless.
Bonus Section
- Rabbinic Interpretation: Jewish tradition expands the "stumbling block before the blind" metaphorically beyond physical obstacles. It's often interpreted to include giving bad advice to someone who is "blind" to certain facts or ethical considerations, leading them to stumble into sin or error (e.g., advising someone to break a vow without disclosing its consequences, or selling unsuitable goods to an ignorant person).
- Universal Principle: This verse sets a timeless standard against exploiting any form of human vulnerability—physical, mental, emotional, social, or spiritual—for personal gain or malevolence. It compels believers to act with integrity even when unwatched, knowing God observes all.
- Holiness in Action: In the Holiness Code, these individual commandments are not arbitrary but demonstrate practical applications of loving God and loving neighbor. Protecting the deaf and blind showcases true holiness not in ritual alone, but in active compassion and ethical behavior toward the least powerful.