Leviticus 25 35

Leviticus 25:35 kjv

And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

Leviticus 25:35 nkjv

'If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.

Leviticus 25:35 niv

"?'If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you.

Leviticus 25:35 esv

"If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.

Leviticus 25:35 nlt

"If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and cannot support himself, support him as you would a foreigner or a temporary resident and allow him to live with you.

Leviticus 25 verses

Leviticus 25 35 Meaning

Leviticus 25:35 outlines a divine command for Israel to provide immediate and comprehensive financial and communal support to any fellow Israelite who falls into poverty and is no longer able to sustain themselves. The directive emphasizes an obligation to uplift and secure the struggling individual's well-being, treating them with the same duty of care afforded to a stranger or temporary resident within their midst, ensuring they remain an integrated part of the community.

Leviticus 25 35 Context

Leviticus Chapter 25 is largely dedicated to the laws concerning the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee. These divine statutes were designed to prevent perpetual debt, extreme poverty, and the permanent loss of inherited land among the Israelites, reflecting God's sovereignty over the land and His desire for social and economic equity within the covenant community. The laws established a cyclic reset for land ownership and personal freedom, emphasizing that the land belongs to God and that all Israelites are His servants.

Verses 35-38 specifically address lending and supporting a struggling fellow Israelite. This section precedes further rules on servitude and the redemption of persons. It builds upon the larger theme of the Jubilee by ensuring that even before the Jubilee brings a general reset, individual members facing hardship are to be supported. The historical context shows these laws were crucial for a tribal society where land was the primary means of subsistence and family identity, safeguarding against a permanent underclass and preserving the social fabric of the twelve tribes. These economic laws were a stark contrast to many surrounding cultures that often allowed exploitation and permanent bondage due to debt.

Leviticus 25 35 Word Analysis

• And if your brother (וְכִֽי־יָמוּךְ אָחִ֛יךָ - v'chi-yamukh achikha):

  • וְכִֽי (v'chi): "And if." Introduces a condition, indicating this is a common or anticipated situation needing clear instruction.
  • יָמוּךְ (yamukh): From muk (מוּךְ), meaning "to become poor," "to sink," "to become low." It implies a state of diminishing wealth, not just lacking resources, but an actual economic decline into destitution. It speaks to a gradual process of falling into poverty.
  • אָחִ֛יךָ (achikha): "your brother." Refers specifically to a fellow Israelite, highlighting the familial and covenantal bond within the community. This distinguishes the treatment required for kin from that for non-Israelites (though foreigners also had rights). The emphasis is on internal community responsibility.

• and cannot maintain himself with you (וְהֶחֱזַקְתָּ בּוֹ - v'yada yimakh imakh (no this part is missing in the actual hebrew, actual Hebrew for cannot maintain himself is part of yamukh and 'imakh meaning with you.) It is ימך ידו - yamuk yado which is "his hand sinks" (metaphor for losing ability to support himself). So ידו yado is "his hand".):

  • וְיָֽדֹו֙ (v'yado): "and his hand" or "his power." Used metaphorically to mean his capacity for work, his ability to sustain himself economically.
  • ימך (yimakh): (repeat of previous root) "sinks" or "falters." So, "his hand sinks" literally signifies an inability to hold on or maintain his economic standing.
  • עִמָּ֑ךְ (imakh): "with you." This denotes that the poor brother is still part of the community and lives alongside you. The struggle happens within the communal context, making assistance an internal matter.

• you shall support him (וְהֶחֱזַקְתָּ בּוֹ - vehĕḥězaqta bo):

  • וְהֶחֱזַקְתָּ (vehĕḥězaqta): From chazaq (חָזַק), meaning "to be strong," "to strengthen," "to grasp firmly," "to uphold." This verb implies active, firm, and robust intervention to prevent the brother's collapse. It's not a passive observation but a direct and energetic effort to stabilize and restore. It indicates ongoing sustenance, not just a one-time handout.
  • בּוֹ (bo): "in him" or "concerning him." The object of the strengthening action.

• as though he were a stranger or a sojourner (גֵּר־וְתֹושָׁ֖ב - ger v'toshāv):

  • גֵּר (ger): "stranger" or "resident alien." A non-Israelite living within the community, granted certain protections and rights under Mosaic law.
  • וְתֹושָׁב (v'toshāv): "sojourner" or "temporary resident." Someone dwelling for a short period, who might not be as integrated as a ger.
  • The phrase "as though he were" (ka'asher ger v'toshav) is critical. It signifies that the Israelite brother, despite being kin, has fallen into a vulnerable state similar to an outsider who has no inherent land rights or family connections. The law elevates the responsibility towards the impoverished brother to the high level of care already mandated for these most vulnerable members of society. It guards against a false sense of shame or internal neglect and ensures full communal support.

• and he shall live with you (וָחַ֖י עִמָּֽךְ - vakhai immakh):

  • וָחַ֖י (vakhai): "and he shall live." From chay (חָיָה), meaning "to live," "to keep alive," "to preserve life." This is the ultimate goal – the poor brother's continued existence, sustenance, and well-being.
  • עִמָּֽךְ (imakh): "with you." Reemphasizes his inclusion and continued place within the community. He is not to be exiled, marginalized, or lose his place due to poverty. It denotes a shared life, implying hospitality, community, and support.

Leviticus 25 35 Bonus section

This verse stands as a powerful testament to the value God places on human life and the sanctity of community well-being over individual accumulation of wealth. It's a proactive measure against permanent social stratification and the formation of a rigid debtor class. The instruction implies that economic prosperity should not come at the expense of a brother's destitution, but rather shared within a framework of mutual care. This covenantal obligation ensured that Israelite society retained its distinct moral and ethical character, preventing it from mirroring the oppressive economic systems prevalent in surrounding nations. The concept foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on brotherly love, generosity, and caring for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40), demonstrating a consistent thread of divine compassion throughout salvation history.

Leviticus 25 35 Commentary

Leviticus 25:35 sets forth a foundational principle of compassionate economic justice within the covenant community. It demands active and consistent support for fellow Israelites who experience poverty, reflecting God's character as one who cares deeply for the vulnerable. The command to "support him" implies not just financial aid but holistic assistance, encompassing spiritual and communal dimensions to ensure the person can live with dignity and integration. The striking analogy "as though he were a stranger or a sojourner" serves to reinforce the high level of care required. It ensures that internal poverty among kin is treated with the same earnest concern already extended to the most vulnerable outsiders. This prevents the tendency to neglect "one's own" due to pride or perceived shame, universalizing the call to hospitality and protective care. The verse underscores that communal responsibility transcends immediate blood ties, aligning with God's ultimate ownership of the land and people, thereby curbing exploitation and maintaining the socio-economic equilibrium God desired for His chosen nation.

Practical examples of this principle include:

• Providing food, shelter, or financial assistance to church members facing job loss or illness.
• Offering skill development or employment opportunities to help someone regain self-sufficiency.
• Churches or Christian organizations running benevolent funds or relief programs for their communities.