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Leviticus 19:15

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Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Ye shall do {H6213} no unrighteousness {H5766} in judgment {H4941}: thou shalt not respect {H5375} the person {H6440} of the poor {H1800}, nor honour {H1921} the person {H6440} of the mighty {H1419}: but in righteousness {H6664} shalt thou judge {H8199} thy neighbour {H5997}.

"'Do not be unjust in judging - show neither partiality to the poor nor deference to the mighty, but with justice judge your neighbor.

You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.

Commentary

Leviticus 19:15 (KJV): "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour."

Context

This verse is situated within the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), a section of the book that outlines the laws and principles by which Israel was to live as a holy nation set apart for God. Chapter 19 specifically provides a broad range of ethical and moral instructions governing daily life and social interactions within the community, often summarized by the command to "love your neighbour as yourself" found later in the same chapter (Leviticus 19:18). Verse 15 addresses the critical area of justice and fairness within the legal or social system.

Key Themes

  • Impartiality in Judgment: The core command is to avoid any form of bias or favoritism when making decisions or judgments concerning others.
  • Equality Before the Law: The verse explicitly forbids treating the poor differently from the rich or powerful, ensuring that status does not influence the outcome of a judgment.
  • Righteous Justice: Judgment must be based solely on what is right and just, reflecting God's own character of fairness and truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "respect the person" or "honour the person" translates a Hebrew idiom that means showing partiality or favoritism based on someone's appearance, status, or wealth. It is the opposite of judging based on merit or the facts of a case. The word translated "righteousness" is tzedeq (צֶדֶק), which encompasses justice, fairness, and moral rectitude. It signifies a standard of rightness that should govern all legal and social decisions.

Commentary and Explanation

Leviticus 19:15 lays down a fundamental principle for any just society: judgment must be impartial. It forbids "unrighteousness in judgment," which is then specifically defined as showing favoritism. Whether dealing with the vulnerable poor or the influential mighty, the standard of justice must remain the same. There is to be no bias based on a person's economic status or social standing. This principle of impartial judgment was reiterated in the instructions given to judges, emphasizing that they were to fear no man but judge righteously. The command to judge "in righteousness" means applying a standard of truth and fairness, ensuring that decisions reflect God's own just character. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are warned against showing favoritism based on wealth or social status within the church community.

Practical Application

While this verse directly addresses those in positions of legal or judicial authority, its principle extends to all believers in their daily interactions. We are called to treat everyone with fairness and dignity, regardless of their background, wealth, or social standing. This means avoiding prejudice, listening carefully to all sides of a matter before forming an opinion, and making decisions based on truth and righteousness rather than personal bias or external factors. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and actions to ensure we are not showing favoritism or judging others unfairly.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 1:17 (12 votes)

    Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it.

  • Proverbs 24:23 (8 votes)

    ¶ These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

  • Deuteronomy 27:19 (7 votes)

    Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Exodus 23:6 (7 votes)

    Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

  • Exodus 23:8 (7 votes)

    And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

  • Exodus 23:2 (6 votes)

    Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:

  • Exodus 23:3 (6 votes)

    Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.