Leviticus 19 34

Leviticus 19:34 kjv

But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:34 nkjv

The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:34 niv

The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:34 esv

You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:34 nlt

Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19 verses

Leviticus 19 34 Meaning

Leviticus 19:34 instructs the Israelites to treat foreigners residing among them as if they were native-born, loving them with the same regard and care they have for themselves. This command is firmly based on Israel's own historical experience as strangers in the land of Egypt and is backed by the authoritative declaration of the LORD, their God. It establishes a fundamental principle of justice and compassion for the vulnerable within their community.

Leviticus 19 34 Context

Leviticus 19 is a pivotal chapter within the book of Leviticus, often referred to as the "Holiness Code" (chapters 17-26). It transitions from instructions concerning sacrifices and ritual purity to detailed ethical and moral injunctions for daily life, demonstrating that holiness encompasses all aspects of community living, not just worship. The chapter begins with the foundational declaration, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Lev 19:2), serving as the overarching theme for all subsequent commands.

Verse 34 specifically builds upon earlier commands concerning justice and love. It directly follows verse 33, which states, "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong," and extends the foundational command of love found in Leviticus 19:18, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." This placement underscores that God's demand for holiness extends to how the Israelites interact with the most vulnerable members of their society—the sojourners. Historically, these laws were given to Israel as they stood on the brink of entering the Promised Land, intending to establish a just and distinct society whose ethical practices would reflect the character of God, setting them apart from the practices of surrounding nations that often exploited foreign residents.

Leviticus 19 34 Word analysis

• "But": Connects this specific command to the preceding regulations, particularly those concerning fair economic practices and respect, emphasizing it as an extension of righteous conduct.
• "the sojourner" (גֵּר, ger): Refers to a non-Israelite who had left their homeland and settled in Israel. Distinct from a mere temporary traveler, the ger resided permanently or semi-permanently within the community, often without inherited land rights or established kinship networks, making them particularly vulnerable and dependent on local goodwill and law.
• "who dwells among you" (גָּר בְּתוֹכְכֶם, gar betochechem): Emphasizes the ger's active residence and integration into the Israelite society. This is not about transient guests, but about those who have made a life alongside the Israelites, solidifying their status as members of the wider community.
• "shall be to you as a native among you" (כְּאֶזְרָח מִכֶּם, k'ezrach mikkem): Commands complete equality in legal and social standing. The ger is to be afforded the same rights, protections, and dignity as an Israelite born citizen (ezrach). This was revolutionary in the ancient world, where foreigners often had significantly fewer rights.
• "and you shall love him as yourself" (וְאָהַבְתָּ ל֖וֹ כָּמוֹךָ, v'ahavta lo kamocha): Expands the highest standard of neighborly love (from Lev 19:18) to the sojourner. This signifies a profound ethical mandate, requiring not just non-discrimination but active care, empathy, and seeking their well-being, demonstrating a compassionate inclusion.
• "for you were sojourners" (כִּי־גֵרִים הֱיִיתֶם, ki gerim heyitem): Provides the foundational rationale for the command—Israel's collective memory. Their shared experience of vulnerability and oppression as strangers in Egypt is the basis for their empathy and proper conduct toward others in similar situations.
• "in the land of Egypt" (בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, b'eretz Mitzrayim): A specific and vivid historical reminder of their former state of alien status and suffering. This traumatic national memory is to inform their present treatment of others who are aliens.
• "I am the LORD your God" (אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, Ani Yahweh Eloheichem): A solemn divine authentication appearing repeatedly throughout the Holiness Code. It underscores that this is not merely a social recommendation but a divine decree, binding on Israel by virtue of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, their specific covenant-keeping God. His character and authority stand behind the command.

Leviticus 19 34 Bonus section

• The ger often faced economic disadvantage and lack of kinship support, making them one of the three vulnerable groups consistently singled out for protection in the Mosaic Law, alongside the widow and the orphan (e.g., Deut 24:17).
• The emphasis on loving the ger "as yourself" extends the command from Leviticus 19:18 (loving your neighbor) to include those who are outside of Israel's direct ethnic or familial lineage, demonstrating a universality in God's ethical demands beyond tribalism.
• In the New Testament, the concept of being a "sojourner" or "stranger" takes on a spiritual dimension for believers, recognizing that our ultimate home is not of this world (Heb 11:13, 1 Pet 2:11). This can also extend our empathy towards those literally displaced or alienated in society.
• The divine imperative, "I am the LORD your God," at the end of the verse ensures that adherence to this command is not merely good social practice, but an act of worship and obedience to God Himself, whose character is just and merciful towards the alien.

Leviticus 19 34 Commentary

Leviticus 19:34 is a powerful expression of God's radical call for justice and compassion. Within the context of the Holiness Code, it elevates the ethical treatment of the resident foreigner, the ger, to the level of covenant obligation. The command to treat the sojourner "as a native" and "love him as yourself" pushes beyond mere toleration, demanding genuine acceptance, equal rights, and benevolent care. This inclusion directly contrasts with typical ancient Near Eastern practices that often marginalized or exploited foreigners.

The verse anchors this demanding ethic in Israel's foundational redemption narrative: "for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." This national memory of suffering and God's liberating intervention serves as the ultimate motivation, transforming Israel's historical vulnerability into a mandate for present-day empathy. Having experienced the bitterness of alien oppression, Israel was uniquely positioned to extend mercy to others in a similar plight. The concluding affirmation, "I am the LORD your God," reinforces that this is not a humanly derived custom but a divine imperative, integral to being a holy people set apart for Yahweh. Thus, true worship and covenant fidelity are intrinsically linked to righteous social conduct, particularly towards the vulnerable and marginalized.