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Leviticus 24:22

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Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I [am] the LORD your God.

Ye shall have one {H259} manner of law {H4941}, as well for the stranger {H1616}, as for one of your own country {H249}: for I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}.

You are to apply the same standard of judgment to the foreigner as to the citizen, because I am ADONAI your God."

You are to have the same standard of law for the foreign resident and the native; for I am the LORD your God.’”

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the sojourner, as for the home-born: for I am Jehovah your God.

Commentary

Commentary on Leviticus 24:22

Leviticus 24:22 delivers a profound principle of justice within the Mosaic Law: "Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I [am] the LORD your God." This verse emphasizes God's demand for impartial justice, extending the same legal standards to both native-born Israelites and resident aliens among them.

Context

This verse concludes a section in Leviticus 24 that begins with instructions for the tabernacle's lamps and showbread, then transitions abruptly to the incident of a man who blasphemed the Name of the LORD and was subsequently stoned. The laws immediately preceding verse 22 deal with capital offenses and restitution for various injuries (e.g., "life for life, eye for eye"). The inclusion of verse 22 immediately after these specific legal pronouncements underscores that the principles of justice and punishment outlined are not exclusive to Israelites but apply universally to all who live within the community under God's covenant. This highlights the comprehensive reach of God's divine statutes.

Key Themes

  • Impartial Justice: The central message is God's unwavering demand for fairness. There is to be no favoritism or discrimination in the application of the law based on one's origin or status. This principle reflects God's own character, as He shows no partiality (Romans 2:11).
  • Equality Under God's Law: This verse establishes a foundational concept that all individuals, whether native or foreign-born, stand equally before God's law. This was a progressive and inclusive stance for ancient societies, many of which had different legal codes for citizens and foreigners.
  • Care for the Resident Alien: The repeated emphasis in the Torah on treating the "stranger" (Hebrew: ger, referring to a resident alien or sojourner) justly and with compassion is a hallmark of Israel's law. This command is echoed throughout the Pentateuch, such as in Exodus 12:49 regarding Passover, and the call to love the stranger in Deuteronomy 10:19.
  • Divine Authority: The concluding phrase, "for I [am] the LORD your God," serves as the ultimate authority for this command. It grounds the necessity of impartial justice in the very nature and covenant relationship with God. His identity as their God demands adherence to His righteous standards.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "stranger" is ger (גֵּר), which specifically denotes a resident alien—a non-Israelite who has settled among the Israelites and is subject to their laws, distinct from a transient visitor. The phrase "one manner of law" translates from the Hebrew mishpat echad (מִשְׁפָּט אֶחָד), literally "one judgment" or "one ordinance," strongly emphasizing uniformity and consistency in legal application.

Practical Application

Leviticus 24:22 remains profoundly relevant today. It challenges societies to uphold equitable legal systems that treat all individuals fairly, regardless of their nationality, origin, or social status. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's heart for justice and inclusivity, urging us to reflect His character in how we interact with and advocate for those who may be considered "outsiders" or vulnerable in our communities. This principle calls us to resist discrimination and promote dignity for all people, recognizing that every individual is made in God's image.

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

  • Exodus 12:49 (6 votes)

    One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

  • Numbers 9:14 (5 votes)

    And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

  • Numbers 15:15 (5 votes)

    One ordinance [shall be both] for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth [with you], an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye [are], so shall the stranger be before the LORD.

  • Numbers 15:16 (5 votes)

    One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

  • Numbers 15:29 (4 votes)

    Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, [both for] him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.

  • Leviticus 19:34 (4 votes)

    [But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Leviticus 17:10 (3 votes)

    ¶ And whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.