Leviticus 19:17

KJV

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not hate {H8130} thy brother {H251} in thine heart {H3824}: thou shalt in any wise {H3198} rebuke {H3198} thy neighbour {H5997}, and not suffer {H5375} sin {H2399} upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Do not hate your brother in your heart, but rebuke your neighbor frankly, so that you won't carry sin because of him.

Berean Standard Bible

You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 19:17, nestled within the Holiness Code, is a profound divine directive that transcends mere outward conformity, demanding purity of heart and active, loving intervention within the community. It prohibits internal animosity towards one's fellow Israelite ("brother") while simultaneously commanding the proactive responsibility to confront a neighbor's sin. This dual injunction underscores God's holistic expectation for His people: that their relationships be characterized not only by the absence of malice but also by a courageous, restorative love that seeks the spiritual well-being of others and prevents the destructive spread of unaddressed sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 19 stands as a pivotal chapter within the book, often referred to as the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26). This code delineates the practical outworking of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing that their conduct must reflect God's own holy character. Chapter 19 itself is a mosaic of ethical, moral, and ceremonial laws, frequently shifting between cultic purity and social justice. Our verse, Leviticus 19:17, is immediately preceded by commands against stealing, lying, defrauding, and slandering (Leviticus 19:11-16), establishing a broader theme of integrity and right relationship within the community. Crucially, it directly precedes the foundational command to "love your neighbor as yourself" in [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor"), indicating that the prohibition of hatred and the duty to rebuke are essential prerequisites and expressions of genuine neighborly love. The verse thus serves as a bridge, connecting internal disposition with external responsibility, and setting the stage for the pinnacle of relational ethics.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, placed a high value on communal solidarity and honor. However, this often coexisted with practices of vengeance, grudges, and a reluctance to intervene in others' affairs unless directly impacted. Leviticus 19:17 challenges these norms by penetrating beyond superficial peace to address the heart's true condition. The command against hatred in the heart was radical, as many ancient legal codes focused primarily on overt actions. Furthermore, the duty to rebuke was a counter-cultural call to active, compassionate engagement rather than passive observation. In a tribal society where reputation and social cohesion were paramount, confronting a neighbor could be fraught with social risk. Yet, the law mandates it as an act of love and communal preservation, ensuring that sin does not fester unchecked, thereby bringing corporate guilt or divine judgment upon the community, as seen in instances like the sin of Achan in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Israel's Defeat"). This divine imperative fostered a community where individuals were responsible for upholding God's standards not just for themselves, but for the collective spiritual health of the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hate (Hebrew, _śānē'_):** This word denotes a deep-seated animosity, enmity, or strong dislike, not merely a fleeting emotion. It implies a settled disposition of ill-will or hostility towards another. In the context of "brother," it refers to a fellow Israelite, indicating that God's law penetrates the inner life, forbidding the cultivation of bitterness or resentment in the heart, even if it does not manifest in overt harmful actions.
* **Rebuke (Hebrew, _yākaḥ_):** This verb carries a range of meanings including to argue, to decide, to convict, to correct, to reprove, or to plead. It suggests a reasoned, persuasive intervention aimed at bringing conviction and change, rather than mere scolding or condemnation. The intent is restorative, to bring the erring party back to the path of righteousness, implying a loving concern for their spiritual well-being.
* **Suffer Sin (Hebrew, _nāśā' 'āwōn_):** The phrase "not suffer sin upon him" or "not bear sin on his account" is crucial. _Nāśā'_ means "to lift, carry, bear," and _'āwōn_ means "iniquity, guilt, punishment for sin." The expression can mean: (1) not to allow your neighbor to continue in sin, thereby piling up guilt upon themselves, or (2) not to incur guilt yourself by passively observing your neighbor's sin without intervening. The latter interpretation emphasizes a shared communal responsibility; by failing to rebuke, one potentially becomes complicit in the sin or shares in the corporate guilt that might befall the community due to unaddressed transgression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart:"** This opening clause establishes that God's law is not merely external but deeply concerned with the internal disposition of the individual. It forbids the cultivation of animosity, resentment, or ill-will towards a fellow member of the covenant community. This command highlights that true holiness begins in the heart, where thoughts and intentions are formed, and that harboring hatred is a sin in itself, regardless of whether it manifests outwardly. It sets a high standard for interpersonal relationships, demanding a purity of motive.
* **"thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour,"** This second clause introduces a positive, active command that complements the negative prohibition. It mandates that one must actively and courageously confront a neighbor who is engaging in sin. The phrase "in any wise" (or "surely") emphasizes the certainty and necessity of this duty. This is a call to courageous love, where concern for another's spiritual health and adherence to God's law outweighs the discomfort or social awkwardness of confrontation. The rebuke is intended to be corrective and restorative, aimed at bringing the person back to righteousness.
* **"and not suffer sin upon him."** This concluding phrase explains the purpose and consequence of the rebuke. It means that by rebuking, one prevents the neighbor from continuing to accumulate guilt or from remaining under the destructive power of their sin. Alternatively, it can mean that by rebuking, one avoids incurring guilt oneself for passively allowing a neighbor to persist in sin. This underscores a profound communal responsibility: individuals are not isolated in their walk with God, but are interconnected, and their actions (or inactions) have implications for the spiritual well-being of the entire community.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 19:17 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound ethical and theological message. **Antithesis** is prominent, contrasting the internal prohibition ("not hate") with the external, active command ("rebuke"). This highlights the holistic nature of God's law, which addresses both the hidden motives of the heart and the visible actions within the community. The verse also uses **Juxtaposition** by placing these two seemingly disparate commands side-by-side, revealing their intrinsic connection: true love (the opposite of hatred) expresses itself not just in the absence of malice, but in active, corrective care for others. The structure itself is an **Ethical Imperative**, delivered as direct, unequivocal commands ("Thou shalt not...", "thou shalt..."), emphasizing their non-negotiable nature. Finally, the phrase "not suffer sin upon him" functions as a **Consequential Clause**, explaining the vital purpose of the rebuke and underscoring the communal accountability and the serious implications of unaddressed sin, either for the individual or for the one who fails to intervene.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 19:17 profoundly articulates the Old Testament's emphasis on holistic holiness, demonstrating that divine righteousness permeates not only ritual and worship but also the most intimate aspects of interpersonal relationships. It reveals that God's law is not superficial, but probes the very intentions of the heart, demanding purity of motive as much as purity of action. The command to rebuke, in conjunction with the prohibition of hatred, underscores a theology of communal responsibility, where individuals are their "brother's keeper," actively participating in the spiritual well-being of the covenant community. This proactive love, which seeks to restore and prevent further sin, is a foundational expression of the greater command to love one's neighbor as oneself, demonstrating that genuine love is willing to engage in difficult truths for the sake of another's spiritual health and the collective purity of God's people.

* [Matthew 5:21-22](/matthew/5-21-22 "Matthew 5:21-22 - Jesus' Teaching on Anger and Murder")
* [Galatians 6:1](/galatians/6-1 "Galatians 6:1 - Restoring a Brother in Gentleness")
* [1 John 4:20-21](/1_john/4-20-21 "1 John 4:20-21 - Love for God and Brother")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 19:17 presents a powerful and often challenging call to self-examination and courageous love for believers today. It forces us to confront the hidden corners of our hearts, asking whether we harbor any resentment, bitterness, or unaddressed animosity towards others, especially fellow believers. True Christian love, as taught by this verse, is not merely a feeling of affection or the absence of outward conflict; it is a proactive commitment to the spiritual flourishing of our neighbor. This means cultivating a heart free from hatred, but also possessing the spiritual courage and humility to lovingly, gently, and wisely confront a brother or sister when we observe them straying from God's path. The goal of such rebuke is always restoration, not condemnation or shaming. It is an act of genuine care, seeking to prevent further spiritual harm to the individual and to uphold the purity of the body of Christ. This verse reminds us that our spiritual health is intertwined with that of our community, and that true discipleship involves both internal purity and external, redemptive engagement.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What hidden resentments or unaddressed animosities might I be harboring in my heart towards others, and how can I bring these before God for healing and forgiveness?**
* **In what ways might I be "suffering sin upon" a neighbor or fellow believer by passively observing their struggles or transgressions without offering loving, restorative intervention?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate the courage and wisdom necessary to offer biblical rebuke in a way that is genuinely loving, humble, and aimed at restoration, rather than condemnation?**

### FAQ
**What does "not suffer sin upon him" truly mean in a practical sense for believers today?**

Answer: In a practical sense, "not suffer sin upon him" means that we have a responsibility to prevent our neighbor from continuing in sin and accumulating further guilt, and also to avoid becoming complicit in their sin by our silence or inaction. This doesn't mean we are responsible for their choices, but we are responsible for our response. If we see a fellow believer straying, the loving thing to do is to gently and humbly speak the truth in love, offering correction or counsel (as seen in [Galatians 6:1](/galatians/6-1 "Galatians 6:1 - Restoring a Brother in Gentleness")). Failing to do so out of fear, apathy, or a desire to avoid discomfort could lead to our neighbor's continued spiritual harm, and in some interpretations, could even imply a shared spiritual burden or guilt for us by our passive observation. It's about active, redemptive care, not judgmentalism.

**Is all rebuke loving, and how should it be done according to biblical principles?**

Answer: No, not all rebuke is loving. Leviticus 19:17 explicitly links the duty to rebuke with the prohibition of hatred, implying that true rebuke must flow from a heart of love, not animosity. Biblical rebuke, as exemplified throughout Scripture, should be done with humility, gentleness, and a desire for the other person's restoration, not their humiliation or condemnation. It should be accompanied by prayer, self-examination, and a willingness to acknowledge one's own fallibility. The goal is always reconciliation and spiritual growth, not merely pointing out error. Jesus' example in [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Matthew 18:15-17 - Steps for Church Discipline") provides a framework for addressing sin within the community, emphasizing private conversation first, then involving others if necessary, all aimed at winning the brother back.

**Why does God care about inner hatred if it doesn't manifest in outward actions?**

Answer: God cares about inner hatred because He is a God who looks at the heart, not just outward appearances ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). Hatred in the heart is a root of bitterness that defiles the individual and, if left unchecked, inevitably leads to destructive outward actions or attitudes, even if subtle. It violates the spirit of love that is to characterize His people. Jesus Himself expanded on this, teaching that hatred and anger in the heart are akin to murder in God's eyes ([Matthew 5:21-22](/matthew/5-21-22 "Matthew 5:21-22 - Jesus' Teaching on Anger and Murder")). A pure heart is essential for genuine worship and right relationship with God and others. God desires a people whose internal disposition aligns with His holy character, reflecting His love in all aspects of their being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 19:17, with its dual command against internal hatred and for active, loving rebuke, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He perfectly embodies the law's spirit, demonstrating that true righteousness begins in the heart, utterly devoid of hatred or malice. Jesus not only commanded love for one's neighbor, but also for one's enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), raising the standard beyond the Old Testament's scope. Furthermore, Christ is the supreme example of loving rebuke. His confrontations with the Pharisees ([Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Jesus Condemns the Pharisees")), His gentle correction of His disciples ([Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Peter's Rebuke and Jesus' Response")), and His compassionate yet firm words to the woman caught in adultery ([John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - The Woman Caught in Adultery")) all exemplify rebuke flowing from perfect love, aimed at conviction and restoration, not condemnation. Most significantly, Christ fulfilled the part about "not suffer sin upon him" by uniquely and perfectly "suffering sin" *for* us. He, who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf, bearing the full weight of our iniquity on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). By His sacrifice, He ensures that those who believe in Him do not "suffer sin upon" themselves eternally, but rather receive His righteousness. Thus, Jesus not only perfectly kept the law of Leviticus 19:17 in His life, but also provided the means for us to be reconciled to God despite our failures to keep it, enabling us by His Spirit to live out its demanding principles of love and accountability within the new covenant community ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment of Love")).

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

1 John 2:9

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

Luke 17:3

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

1 John 2:11

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Proverbs 27:5

¶ Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.

1 John 3:12

Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

1 John 3:15

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.