Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 10:19
What does Deuteronomy 10:19 mean?
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Deuteronomy 10:19
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It's not just about remembering a past hardship; the command to "love the sojourner" is rooted in empathy. Because you know what it feels like to be on the outside, looking in, you're uniquely equipped to offer kindness and justice to those in the same vulnerable position today.
Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this verse, Moses has reminded the Israelites of all God requires: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. He's also emphasized that God shows no favoritism and cares for everyone, including orphans and widows. This verse then pivots to a specific application of that divine love: treating foreigners with kindness, because the Israelites themselves experienced hardship as strangers in Egypt.
Imagine being far from home, with no one to turn to. How would you want to be treated? This verse connects a painful past to a present command.
The command to 'love the sojourner' isn't just a nice idea; it's rooted in a shared experience.
A Collective Memory
God reminds Israel that they weren't always in their own land. They were 'strangers' in Egypt, a vulnerable status. This memory is meant to be a powerful empathy builder.
Why This Matters
Because they knew what it felt like to be on the outside, they were uniquely positioned to understand and care for others in the same situation. It’s a call to radical compassion, born from personal history.
God doesn't just command love; He exemplifies it. What does His own care for the vulnerable teach us about how we should act?
The instruction to love the sojourner is also presented as a reflection of God's own character and actions.
God's Provision
Even while Israel was in their vulnerable state in Egypt, God watched over them and provided for them. The text implies that God's care for the 'stranger' is a constant attribute.
Reflecting the Divine
Therefore, when Israel is told to love the sojourner, it's a call to imitate their Heavenly Father. It’s about aligning their hearts and actions with God’s own merciful nature. Our compassion isn't just a good deed; it's a participation in God's ongoing work of kindness.
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This passage echoes Deuteronomy's command, stating 'When a sojourner resides with you in your land, do not mistreat him.' It emphasizes the same principle of treating foreigners with dignity because of who God is.
Exodus 22:21This earlier law also prohibits mistreating sojourners, stating, 'You shall not oppress a sojourner.' It lays the groundwork for the 'remember you were slaves' reason found in Deuteronomy.
Matthew 25:35Jesus takes this command to care for the vulnerable to a profound level, stating, 'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.' This connects loving the sojourner to how we treat Christ himself.
Romans 8:15This passage speaks of receiving the 'Spirit of adoption' which cries, 'Abba! Father!' This contrasts with the 'spirit of slavery' and highlights the transformed identity of believers, who are no longer 'strangers' but children, mirroring the Israelites' journey from being strangers in Egypt.
gillDeuteronomy 10:19: "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
Love ye therefore the stranger,.... Because the Lord loves him; and another reason follows, particularly binding on the Israelites: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt; and therefore should sympathize with such, and show them compassion, relieve them in distress, and afford them whatever they want, and is in the power of their hands to communicate to them; remembering their own condition in E…
pooleDeuteronomy 10:19: "Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
No text from Poole on this verse.
It's not just about remembering a past hardship; the command to "love the sojourner" is rooted in empathy. Because you know what it feels like to be on the outside, looking in, you're uniquely equipped to offer kindness and justice to those in the same vulnerable position today.
Just before this verse, Moses has reminded the Israelites of all God requires: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. He's also emphasized that God shows no favoritism and cares for everyone, including orphans and widows. This verse then pivots to a specific application of that divine love: treating foreigners with kindness, because the Israelites themselves experienced hardship as strangers in Egypt.
Just before this verse, Moses has reminded the Israelites of all God requires: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. He's also emphasized that God shows no favoritism and cares for everyone, including orphans and widows. This verse then pivots to a specific application of that divine love: treating foreigners with kindness, because the Israelites themselves experienced hardship as strangers in Egypt.
"Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." — It's not just about remembering a past hardship; the command to "love the sojourner" is rooted in empathy. Because you know what it feels like to be on the outside, looking in, you're uniquely equi…
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Last reviewed October 2026