Leviticus 19:13

KJV

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not defraud {H6231} thy neighbour {H7453}, neither rob {H1497} him: the wages {H6468} of him that is hired {H7916} shall not abide {H3885} with thee all night until the morning {H1242}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Do not oppress or rob your neighbor; specifically, you are not to keep back the wages of a hired worker all night until morning.

Berean Standard Bible

You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him: the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 19:13 stands as a foundational command within the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), articulating God's expectation for His covenant people to embody His character of justice and integrity in their economic and labor relations. This verse specifically prohibits the exploitation of one's neighbor through fraud or robbery, culminating in a precise injunction against withholding the wages of a hired laborer overnight. It underscores that true holiness extends beyond ritual purity to encompass ethical conduct in daily life, ensuring fair treatment and protecting the most vulnerable members of society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 19 is a pivotal chapter, often referred to as the "Holiness Code in Miniature," as it encapsulates the essence of what it means for Israel to "be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" ([Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - God's Call to Holiness")). The chapter transitions from commands concerning worship and offerings (e.g., [Leviticus 19:5-8](/leviticus/19-5 "Leviticus 19:5-8 - Peace Offerings")) to a broad spectrum of social and ethical directives. Immediately preceding Leviticus 19:13 are commands related to gleaning for the poor and the sojourner ([Leviticus 19:9-10](/leviticus/19-9 "Leviticus 19:9-10 - Gleaning for the Poor")), prohibitions against stealing, lying, and false swearing ([Leviticus 19:11-12](/leviticus/19-11 "Leviticus 19:11-12 - Prohibitions Against Dishonesty")). Leviticus 19:13 directly follows these, reinforcing the theme of honesty and justice in financial dealings. The verses that follow continue this ethical trajectory, addressing impartiality in judgment, slander, hatred, and culminating in the profound command to "love your neighbor as yourself" ([Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - The Great Commandment")). Thus, Leviticus 19:13 is not an isolated rule but an integral thread in a rich tapestry of commands designed to foster a just, compassionate, and holy community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in much of the ancient Near East, a significant portion of the workforce consisted of "hired laborers" (Hebrew: _sakir_). These individuals were typically day laborers who worked for a daily wage, often having no land or other assets. Their survival, and that of their families, depended entirely on receiving their wages at the end of each day. Unlike modern economies with banking systems, credit, and social safety nets, immediate payment was crucial for purchasing food and basic necessities for that very evening or the next morning. Delaying payment, even by a single night, could plunge a family into severe hardship, hunger, or even destitution. This command, therefore, directly addresses the immense vulnerability of this segment of society. It stands as a powerful legal protection against the exploitation of the poor by those with greater economic power, such as landowners or employers. The practice of prompt payment was not merely a good business practice; it was a matter of life and death, reflecting God's deep concern for the dignity and survival of every individual, especially the most economically dependent. This principle is reinforced elsewhere in the Torah, such as in [Deuteronomy 24:14-15](/deuteronomy/24-14 "Deuteronomy 24:14-15 - Justice for the Poor and Needy"), which explicitly states that a poor and needy laborer should be paid "on his day, and the sun shall not set on it, for he is poor and sets his heart on it."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Defraud (Hebrew, _'ashaq'_):** This verb implies oppression, extortion, or wrongful gain achieved through suppression, exploitation, or the abuse of power. It's more than simple cheating; it suggests a systemic or powerful party taking advantage of a weaker one, often by withholding what is due or by illegitimate means. It speaks to a violation of trust and an abuse of one's position.
* **Rob (Hebrew, _gazal'_):** This word denotes seizing something by force, violence, or open plunder. While _'ashaq_ can be more subtle, _gazal_ suggests a more overt and aggressive act of taking what belongs to another. The pairing of these two terms emphasizes that any form of unjust acquisition, whether subtle oppression or overt violence, is forbidden.
* **Wages of him that is hired (Hebrew, _sekher sakir'_):** This phrase specifically refers to the payment due to a day laborer or hired servant. _Sekher_ means "wages" or "hire," and _sakir_ denotes a "hired person" or "wage earner." The specificity highlights the immediate and critical nature of this income for the daily survival of the worker and their family, underscoring the urgency of the command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour":** This initial prohibition lays down a broad principle against any form of unjust gain or oppression directed at another person. It encompasses deceit, extortion, or taking advantage of someone's vulnerability in any transaction or relationship. The term "neighbour" (Hebrew: _rea'_), while often referring to a fellow Israelite, can also extend to anyone within the community, including resident aliens, emphasizing universal ethical conduct.
* **"neither rob [him]":** This second prohibition reinforces the first by adding a more forceful dimension. While "defraud" might imply subtle or manipulative injustice, "rob" speaks to the violent or forceful seizure of property or rights. Together, these clauses cover the full spectrum of dishonest and unjust acquisition, from covert exploitation to overt plunder, ensuring that no form of economic injustice is overlooked.
* **"the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning":** This specific injunction serves as a concrete example and a practical application of the broader principles of not defrauding or robbing. It targets the most vulnerable segment of the workforce – the day laborer – whose livelihood depended on immediate payment. The phrase "all night until the morning" underscores the absolute urgency; even a delay of a few hours was considered an act of oppression, as it could mean hunger or inability to meet basic needs for the worker and their family. This clause demonstrates God's meticulous care for the economically disadvantaged and His demand for prompt, just payment in labor relations.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 19:13 employs several effective literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse begins with **Parallelism** in its initial prohibitions: "Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]." This pairing of similar concepts (defrauding and robbing) reinforces the comprehensive nature of the command against unjust gain, covering both subtle deceit and overt seizure. The most striking device is the use of **Specificity** and **Concrete Imagery** in the latter part of the verse: "the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning." This highly detailed instruction paints a vivid picture of the day laborer's immediate need and the employer's obligation. This specific example also functions as **Metonymy**, where a specific, tangible detail (the overnight withholding of wages) stands in for the broader principle of timely and just payment for all labor and ethical conduct in all economic dealings. The entire verse is framed as **Apodictic Law**, characterized by its direct, unconditional "Thou shalt not" commands, conveying the absolute and non-negotiable nature of God's moral requirements.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 19:13 profoundly reveals God's character as one who is just, compassionate, and deeply concerned with the well-being of all people, especially the vulnerable. It establishes that holiness is not merely a matter of ritual observance but must permeate every aspect of daily life, particularly in economic interactions. This command teaches that our relationship with God is inextricably linked to how we treat our neighbor, making economic justice a spiritual imperative. It underscores the dignity of labor and the right of every person to fair and prompt compensation, reflecting the divine value placed on human life and livelihood. This principle is a practical outworking of the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" ([Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - The Command to Love Your Neighbor")), demonstrating that genuine love involves ensuring justice and preventing hardship for others.

* [Deuteronomy 24:14-15](/deuteronomy/24-14 "Deuteronomy 24:14-15 - Prompt Payment for the Poor")
* [James 5:4](/james/5-4 "James 5:4 - The Cry of Withheld Wages")
* [Malachi 3:5](/malachi/3-5 "Malachi 3:5 - God's Judgment on Oppressors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 19:13 transcends its ancient context to offer timeless principles for ethical conduct in all economic and labor relations. It calls us to a profound sense of responsibility for our neighbor's well-being, challenging us to examine our own practices and the systems we operate within. This verse compels us to consider whether our business dealings, employment practices, or even our consumer choices inadvertently contribute to the exploitation or hardship of others, whether locally or globally. It urges us to prioritize fair compensation, prompt payment, and transparent, honest dealings, recognizing that every transaction has a human face and a moral dimension. Ultimately, living out this command means actively seeking justice, championing the rights of the vulnerable, and ensuring that our economic lives reflect the holiness and compassion of God, transforming the marketplace into a sphere where dignity and equity flourish.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of God's character, as revealed in this verse, inform my economic decisions and interactions with others?**
* **In what specific ways might I, or the organizations I am associated with, be inadvertently "defrauding" or "robbing" others through delayed or unfair compensation, or by exploiting vulnerabilities in supply chains?**
* **Beyond immediate payment, what broader implications does this verse have for promoting economic justice and fair labor practices in my community and in the global marketplace?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "all night until the morning" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "all night until the morning" emphasizes the extreme urgency and critical nature of the daily wage for the hired laborer in ancient Israel. Unlike modern economies with banking systems or social safety nets, day laborers depended on their immediate earnings to buy food and necessities for their families that very day or evening. Delaying payment, even for a single night, could mean severe hunger, distress, or inability to meet basic needs. This specific injunction highlights God's profound compassion for the economically vulnerable and His demand that His people prevent any act that would cause immediate hardship or exploitation, underscoring that justice must be swift and comprehensive.

**How does this verse relate to modern employment practices and economic systems?**

Answer: While the specific context of day laborers has changed, the underlying principles of Leviticus 19:13 remain profoundly relevant. It calls for fair and prompt compensation for all workers, condemning any form of exploitation, wage theft, or unjust enrichment. This extends to ensuring living wages, timely payment of salaries and invoices, ethical supply chains that do not rely on exploitative labor (e.g., child labor, forced labor), and transparent business practices. It challenges individuals and corporations to consider the human impact of their economic decisions and to uphold dignity and justice in all labor relations, reflecting God's concern for the well-being of every person.

**Is this command only about employers and employees?**

Answer: While the latter part of the verse specifically addresses employers and hired laborers, the initial prohibitions – "Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]" – establish a broader principle of economic integrity that extends beyond the employer-employee relationship. This command applies to all financial transactions and interactions, urging honesty, fairness, and the avoidance of any action that unjustly deprives another of what is rightfully theirs. This includes fair pricing, honest weights and measures, fulfilling contracts, and not taking advantage of another's ignorance, weakness, or desperate circumstances in any business dealing or personal transaction. It's a call to general honesty and integrity in all economic spheres.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 19:13, with its unwavering demand for economic justice and compassion for the vulnerable, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of perfect righteousness and justice, consistently demonstrating God's heart for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized throughout His earthly ministry. Jesus not only taught about justice (e.g., [Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - Justice, Mercy, and Faith")) but lived it out, identifying with the "least of these" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Whatever You Did for One of the Least of These")) and challenging exploitative systems and attitudes. In the New Covenant, the Spirit of Christ empowers believers to live out the law's demands not by rigid adherence to external rules, but by an internal transformation that produces genuine love for God and neighbor ([Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")). The ultimate "payment" for our sin was not withheld by God, but rather, He "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all" ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Did Not Spare His Own Son")), demonstrating the ultimate act of non-withholding and self-giving. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His character by actively pursuing justice, ensuring fair dealings, and advocating for the dignity and well-being of all, especially those who are economically vulnerable, thus living out the spirit of Leviticus 19:13 in a world still marked by exploitation and injustice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Malachi 3:5

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Deuteronomy 24:14

¶ Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant [that is] poor and needy, [whether he be] of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that [are] in thy land within thy gates:

Deuteronomy 24:15

At his day thou shalt give [him] his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he [is] poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.

Jeremiah 22:13

Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Proverbs 20:10

¶ Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.

Exodus 22:21

Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.