Leviticus 19 18

Leviticus 19:18 kjv

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18 nkjv

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18 niv

"?'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18 esv

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:18 nlt

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19 verses

Leviticus 19 18 Meaning

Leviticus 19:18 mandates a profound ethic: the active prohibition of vengeance and bearing grudges, paired with the positive command to love one's fellow Israelite "as yourself." It encapsulates a standard of interpersonal conduct rooted in the character of God, demanding an internal disposition free from malice and an external demonstration of selfless regard. This command moves beyond simple non-harm to active beneficence and care for the community, grounded in divine authority.

Leviticus 19 18 Context

Leviticus 19 stands within the Holiness Code (Lev 17-26), a section delineating how Israel, as God's chosen people, must live set apart from surrounding nations by reflecting God's holy character. The chapter provides a diverse collection of moral and ceremonial commands, often interspersing cultic purity with ethical integrity. Verse 18 follows direct prohibitions against hatred, slandering, holding back another’s wages, partiality in judgment, and even commands to not "go about as a slanderer among your people" (v. 16) and "not hate your brother in your heart" (v. 17). Thus, verse 18 acts as the climactic positive command, transcending mere absence of malice by requiring active, empathetic love, making it a foundational principle for communal life under God's covenant. This set of instructions distinguishes Israel from societies where vengeance and tribal grudges were commonplace and sanctioned.

Leviticus 19 18 Word analysis

• You shall not take vengeance (לֹא תִקֹּם - lo tiqqom): A clear prohibition against personal retaliation for perceived wrongs. It rejects self-judgment and seeking to repay injury with injury. This addresses external acts driven by bitterness.
• nor bear any grudge (וְלֹא תִטֹּר - wəlo tittor): Prohibits holding onto resentment or bitterness in the heart. While "vengeance" refers to active repayment, "grudge" addresses the internal, lingering malice or suppressed anger that festers. It commands a cleansing of the inner person from spite.
• against the children of your people (אֶת־בְּנֵי עַמֶּךָ - et-bənê ‘ammekā): Literally "sons of your people." Initially understood as fellow Israelites within the covenant community. In the broader biblical narrative, especially the New Testament, "neighbor" expands beyond national or ethnic boundaries to include any human being in need, even enemies.
• but you shall love (וְאָהַבְתָּ - wə'āhavtā): A powerful and active verb ("and you shall love"). This isn't just an emotion, but a volitional act and a way of life, expressed through actions that seek the well-being of others. It commands proactive benevolence.
• your neighbor (לְרֵעֲךָ - ləre‘ăkā): From rea', meaning "companion, friend, associate." This term carries a wide semantic range, indicating anyone with whom one interacts. Jesus later broadens this scope to include all who are in need, even those typically considered adversaries, as exemplified in the Good Samaritan parable.
• as yourself (כָּמוֹךָ - kāmôkā): The crucial standard for this love. It implies a healthy self-regard and self-care that then serves as the model for relating to others. It is not an invitation to egoism, but assumes a baseline self-concern. One must recognize inherent value in oneself to properly extend it to another. This means applying the same care, understanding, patience, and forgiveness that one would desire for oneself.
• I am the LORD (אֲנִי יְהוָה - ani YHWH): Yahweh, God’s personal covenant name. This declaration grounds the command in God's authority, identity, and character. It signifies that the basis for this ethic is not mere human social order but divine command and God's holy nature. This statement concludes many commands in Leviticus 19, serving as the ultimate motivation and guarantee for obedience.

Leviticus 19 18 Bonus section

This verse's profound nature lies in its holistic scope, addressing both internal attitudes (grudge) and external actions (vengeance). It moves Israel's ethical code beyond simple reciprocal justice (lex talionis) towards a more demanding, God-like love, where the default response to offense is not retribution but grace. The repeated declaration "I am the LORD" serves not just as an authentication of the command, but also as an implied assurance of divine justice, releasing the individual from the burden of seeking their own revenge. Furthermore, the divine "I am the LORD" highlights that observing this command is not merely a social courtesy but a sacred act, reflecting God's own character of covenant faithfulness and steadfast love, making human relationships a sphere where divine holiness is manifest. This is why it became the touchstone for Jesus and the apostles in summarizing the Mosaic Law.

Leviticus 19 18 Commentary

Leviticus 19:18 presents a foundational ethic for holy living within community, often termed the "Great Commandment of Love for Neighbor." It functions both negatively, by prohibiting vengeful and resentful attitudes, and positively, by commanding active love. The progression is significant: release grudges and abstain from vengeance in order to actively love. The phrase "as yourself" is not an egoistic standard but implies treating others with the same care and respect you naturally desire for yourself, rooted in a proper understanding of one's own value as created in God's image. This command extends beyond merely refraining from harming a neighbor; it compels a proactive seeking of their welfare. This principle anticipates and underlies Jesus' amplification, showing its timeless relevance and radical application to all humanity, particularly enemies, reflecting the boundless love of God. It calls for transformation of the heart that impacts all relationships.

Examples for practical usage:

• Dealing with conflict: Instead of seeking to get even for a slight (vengeance) or stewing over it internally (grudge), approach the person with a desire for reconciliation and their well-being.
• Generosity: Sharing resources or time with those in need, even when it costs you something, embodying "love your neighbor as yourself."
• Empathy: Actively listening and seeking to understand another's perspective or pain, treating their feelings with the same sensitivity you would your own.