“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 19:33
What does Leviticus 19:33 mean?
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Leviticus 19:33
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This verse isn't just about avoiding overt cruelty; it strictly forbids "vexing" the stranger, which includes subtle digs or "hard words" that remind them of their outsider status or past. It's a profound call to not only tolerate but actively create a welcoming environment for those not born into the community.
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears within a chapter packed with direct commands to love your neighbor as yourself, covering everything from honest business dealings to not taking vengeance. It specifically addresses how God's people are to treat foreigners living among them, reminding them of their own history as strangers in Egypt and calling for kindness and fair treatment. The surrounding verses continue this theme of compassionate justice, urging them to uphold these principles universally.
Ever felt out of place, like you didn't quite belong? This verse speaks directly to that feeling, calling us to care for those who are.
In Leviticus, the 'stranger' (or sojourner) wasn't just a visitor; they were often someone with few legal protections and no family ties in the land. God commands Israel not to 'vex' them – a word that covers both harsh words and unfair treatment, like exploitation or excessive demands.
This isn't just about avoiding active harm; it's about a proactive kindness. The vulnerable status of the stranger demands a conscious effort from the community to ensure their well-being, recognizing their inherent dignity.
God's law wasn't just for 'insiders.' This command reveals a radical inclusivity that still challenges us today.
While Israel had unique laws and a specific covenant, Leviticus 19:33 shows God's heart extends beyond national lines. The command to not 'vex' the stranger applies even if they haven't fully adopted Israelite customs or faith (sometimes called 'proselytes of the gate').
The underlying principle is universal: treating those different from us with respect and fairness. It pushes back against the natural tendency to favor our own group and instead calls for a recognition of shared humanity, rooted in God's own character.
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ger · Hebrew Noun
A person who resides in a land not their own, often without full citizen rights; God commands His people to show them justice and compassion, mirroring His own care for the vulnerable.
This passage sets the stage for Leviticus 19:33, directly commanding Israel not to oppress or vex a stranger, reminding them of their own experience as sojourners in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 10:18-19Here, the command to love the stranger is explicitly linked to God's own character: He loves the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, calling His people to imitate Him by showing justice and love.
Matthew 5:43-44Jesus expands on the principle of loving others, calling His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, a radical extension of the compassion required for strangers.
Luke 10:29-37The parable of the Good Samaritan powerfully illustrates who our 'neighbor' is, emphasizing that compassion and kindness toward someone in need, regardless of their background, is the true outworking of God's law, just as it is for the stranger in Leviticus.
Hebrews 13:2This New Testament passage encourages hospitality toward strangers, reminding believers that in doing so, they might entertain angels unaware, highlighting the divine value placed on welcoming the outsider.
pooleLeviticus 19:33: "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him."
Either with opprobrious expressions, or grievous exactions.
ellicottLeviticus 19:33: "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him."
(33) And if a stranger sojourn with thee. —The stranger, for whose benefit the legislators enacted so many humane and benign laws, and with regard to whom the book of Leviticus has laid down so many precepts, is one of non-Jewish origin, but who had joined the Jewish faith. He had, therefore, to undergo the rite of circumcision; he had to fast on the great Day of Atonement ( Leviticus 16:29 ); he had to s…
This verse isn't just about avoiding overt cruelty; it strictly forbids "vexing" the stranger, which includes subtle digs or "hard words" that remind them of their outsider status or past. It's a profound call to not only tolerate but actively create a welcoming environment for those not born into the community.
This verse appears within a chapter packed with direct commands to love your neighbor as yourself, covering everything from honest business dealings to not taking vengeance. It specifically addresses how God's people are to treat foreigners living among them, reminding them of their own history as strangers in Egypt and calling for kindness and fair treatment. The surrounding verses continue this theme of compassionate justice, urging them to uphold these principles universally.
This verse appears within a chapter packed with direct commands to love your neighbor as yourself, covering everything from honest business dealings to not taking vengeance. It specifically addresses how God's people are to treat foreigners living among them, reminding them of their own history as strangers in Egypt and calling for kindness and fair treatment. The surrounding verses continue this theme of compassionate justice, urging them to uphold these principles universally.
"“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong." — This verse isn't just about avoiding overt cruelty; it strictly forbids "vexing" the stranger, which includes subtle digs or "hard words" that remind them of their outsider status or past. It's a pro…
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Last reviewed October 2026