Leviticus 19:13

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.

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}.

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

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

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

Leviticus 19:13 is a vital part of the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), which outlines practical ways the Israelites were to live out their covenant relationship with God by demonstrating holiness in their daily interactions. This verse specifically addresses economic justice and fair treatment within the community, emphasizing integrity in labor relations.

Context

This command appears amidst a series of ethical and moral instructions given to the Israelites, immediately following the foundational call to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 19:2). The chapter covers a wide range of social responsibilities, from respecting parents and observing Sabbaths to treating the poor and foreigners justly. Leviticus 19:13 specifically targets the exploitation of laborers and dishonest business practices, underscoring that true holiness extends to economic dealings and the protection of the vulnerable.

Key Themes

  • Economic Justice and Fairness: The verse directly prohibits defrauding or robbing one's neighbor, setting a clear standard for honesty in all transactions. This includes not taking advantage of someone through deceit or force.
  • Protection of the Vulnerable: The specific injunction regarding wages highlights God's concern for the daily laborer, who often depended on their immediate earnings for survival. Delaying payment was tantamount to withholding sustenance, a cruel act of oppression. This reflects God's compassionate character and His expectation that His people reflect that same care for the needy.
  • Integrity in Labor Relations: The command emphasizes that employers must fulfill their obligations promptly and honestly. It's a foundational principle for fair labor practices, ensuring that those who work receive their due without delay or manipulation.
  • Love for Neighbor: At its core, this verse is an expression of the broader command to love your neighbor as yourself, also found in this chapter. Treating a laborer fairly and paying promptly is an act of love and respect for their dignity and livelihood.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "defraud" ('ashaq) implies oppression, extortion, or wrongful gain achieved by suppressing or exploiting someone. It's more than just cheating; it suggests a power dynamic where the stronger party takes advantage of the weaker. "Rob" (gazal) refers to seizing something by force or violence. The phrase "wages of him that is hired" (sekher sakir) refers to the payment due to a daily wage earner or hired servant. The emphasis on "not abide with thee all night until the morning" underscores the immediate and urgent nature of this payment, as a daily laborer's family might depend on that day's earnings for food and shelter.

Related Scriptures

  • This principle of prompt payment for laborers is reiterated in Deuteronomy 24:14-15, which adds the reason: "for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it."
  • The New Testament echoes this warning against withholding wages in James 5:4, where it is declared a sin that cries out to God.
  • God's judgment against those who oppress the hired hand is also found in Malachi 3:5.

Practical Application

Leviticus 19:13 remains highly relevant today, urging us to uphold ethical standards in all financial and labor dealings. It calls for:

  • Fair Compensation: Ensuring that all workers are paid fairly and promptly for their labor, recognizing their dignity and right to a livelihood.
  • Ethical Business Practices: Avoiding any form of fraud, exploitation, or dishonest gain in business transactions. This includes transparency, integrity, and respect for contracts.
  • Compassion for the Vulnerable: Being mindful of those who are economically dependent and ensuring that our actions do not cause them undue hardship or suffering.

Ultimately, this verse teaches that our faith and holiness are not confined to religious rituals but must permeate every aspect of our lives, including how we treat others in the marketplace. It reflects a God who cares deeply about justice and the well-being of all people, especially the most vulnerable.

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Cross-References

  • James 5:4 (12 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Exodus 22:21 (3 votes)

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