Leviticus 19:18

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.

Thou shalt not avenge {H5358}, nor bear any grudge {H5201} against the children {H1121} of thy people {H5971}, but thou shalt love {H157} thy neighbour {H7453} as thyself {H3644}: I am the LORD {H3068}.

Don't take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people; rather, love your neighbor as yourself; I am ADONAI.

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.

Commentary

Leviticus 19:18 (KJV) is a foundational verse within the Mosaic Law, encapsulating a profound ethical principle that transcends its ancient context. It states, "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD."

Context

This verse is part of the "Holiness Code" found in Leviticus chapters 17-26, which outlines the moral and ritual laws for the Israelite community to live as a holy people set apart for God. Preceding verses detail commands concerning justice, honesty, and respect for the vulnerable. Verse 18 serves as a summary principle for interpersonal relationships, emphasizing the heart attitude required in dealings with others within the covenant community.

Key Themes

  • Prohibition of Vengeance and Grudges: The verse directly forbids personal retaliation and the harboring of long-term resentment. This command prevents destructive cycles of retribution within the community, fostering peace and unity.
  • The Command to Love Your Neighbor: This is the positive command that supersedes the negative prohibitions. It calls for an active, selfless concern for others, treating them with the same care and respect one naturally has for oneself. This principle is famously identified by Jesus as the second greatest commandment, alongside loving God.
  • Divine Authority: The concluding phrase, "I am the LORD," powerfully underscores that these are not mere human suggestions but divine imperatives, flowing from God's own holy character and His covenant relationship with Israel. It emphasizes the source and binding nature of the law.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "love," ahav, implies more than just emotion; it denotes active commitment, loyalty, and a willingness to act for the well-being of the other. The term for "neighbour," re'a, initially referred to fellow Israelites but was later expanded in rabbinic tradition and by Jesus himself to encompass a broader scope of humanity, as illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). The command "Thou shalt not avenge" (Hebrew: naqam) and "nor bear any grudge" (Hebrew: natar) highlight the internal disposition against malice that must accompany external actions of love.

Practical Application

Leviticus 19:18 remains profoundly relevant for all believers today, offering timeless principles for Christian living. It challenges us to:

  • Practice Forgiveness: Actively release resentment and choose not to hold onto past wrongs or bitterness, even when deeply hurt by others.
  • Cultivate Active Love: Move beyond mere tolerance to genuine, self-sacrificial love for those around us, reflecting God's own unconditional love for humanity.
  • Promote Reconciliation: Work towards mending broken relationships and fostering harmony within families, communities, and even broader societal interactions, seeking the good of others as we seek our own.

This verse serves as a cornerstone of biblical ethics, demonstrating that genuine piety is inseparable from how we treat our fellow human beings. As Paul teaches in Romans 13:10, "love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

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Cross-References

  • Romans 13:9 (42 votes)

    For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Matthew 22:39 (40 votes)

    And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Matthew 22:40 (40 votes)

    On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

  • Mark 12:31 (37 votes)

    And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

  • Mark 12:34 (37 votes)

    And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].

  • Luke 10:27 (35 votes)

    And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Luke 10:37 (35 votes)

    And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.