Leviticus 19:33
“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The command "you shall not do him wrong" extends beyond just physical harm, forbidding hurtful words and exploitation, reminding us that love for our neighbor inherently includes those outside our immediate circle. It’s a profound call to treat even those with different backgrounds not as outsiders, but with the same respect and care we’d offer ourselves, recognizing our shared humanity.
This command appears in Leviticus chapter 19, a chapter filled with ethical and holiness instructions for the Israelite community. Following directives on honesty in business and justice for all, God reminds them of their own history as strangers in Egypt to instill empathy. This verse, therefore, is part of a broader call to reflect God's character through righteous treatment of others, especially the vulnerable, which continues into the next verse with an emphasis on loving the stranger.
Who counts as 'stranger' in God's eyes? This ancient law reveals that identity is about more than where you're from.
This verse calls the Israelites to treat those who 'sojourn' with them – meaning, those living among them temporarily or permanently, regardless of their origin or religious background – with respect and fairness. The 'stranger' could be a foreigner who had adopted their faith (a proselyte of righteousness) or simply someone living within their borders who hadn't (a proselyte of the gate), or even just a temporary visitor.
Crucially, God's people were forbidden from 'vexing' them. This wasn't just about avoiding outright harm, but also about refraining from hurtful words, unfair dealings, or reminding them of their past as idolaters or foreigners. It meant seeing their inherent dignity, not just their outsider status.
Why did God command such care for outsiders? It starts with remembering what it felt like to be one.
The underlying motivation for this command is profound: empathy rooted in shared experience. The Israelites had a vivid memory of being strangers themselves in Egypt. They knew firsthand the vulnerability, the potential for exploitation, and the deep need for kindness and protection that comes with being an outsider.
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This wasn't just a rule; it was a call to cultivate a heart that remembers its own fragility and extends compassion accordingly. God wanted them to recognize that the stranger's needs mirrored their own past experiences, urging them to 'love him as yourself.' This transforms the command from a mere legal obligation into an act of deep, relational humanity.
Understand the original words
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 lays the groundwork by explicitly stating, 'You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him.' Leviticus 19:33 echoes this, emphasizing a similar prohibition against mistreating those not of your own nation who live among you.
Deuteronomy 10:19This verse explains the *why* behind the command, reminding the Israelites, 'You also must love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.' It connects the command in Leviticus to their own history of being foreigners.
Matthew 25:35Jesus expands this principle, teaching, '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 shows how welcoming and caring for the stranger is an act of service to God Himself.
Hebrews 13:2This New Testament passage urges believers, 'Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.' It highlights the unexpected blessings that can come from opening your life to those on the outside.
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…
The command "you shall not do him wrong" extends beyond just physical harm, forbidding hurtful words and exploitation, reminding us that love for our neighbor inherently includes those outside our immediate circle. It’s a profound call to treat even those with different backgrounds not as outsiders, but with the same respect and care we’d offer ourselves, recognizing our shared humanity.
This command appears in Leviticus chapter 19, a chapter filled with ethical and holiness instructions for the Israelite community. Following directives on honesty in business and justice for all, God reminds them of their own history as strangers in Egypt to instill empathy. This verse, therefore, is part of a broader call to reflect God's character through righteous treatment of others, especially the vulnerable, which continues into the next verse with an emphasis on loving the stranger.
This command appears in Leviticus chapter 19, a chapter filled with ethical and holiness instructions for the Israelite community. Following directives on honesty in business and justice for all, God reminds them of their own history as strangers in Egypt to instill empathy. This verse, therefore, is part of a broader call to reflect God's character through righteous treatment of others, especially the vulnerable, which continues into the next verse with an emphasis on loving the stranger.
"“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong." — The command "you shall not do him wrong" extends beyond just physical harm, forbidding hurtful words and exploitation, reminding us that love for our neighbor inherently includes those outside our im…
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