Leviticus 19:11-18
19:11 a A society that did not respect the property of others would quickly fall apart internally. To steal was prohibited (Exod 20:15 b), and those who would deceive or cheat were required to present a guilt offering (see Lev 6:2-7 c).19:12 d To bring shame on the name means to blaspheme (see study note on 18:21).
19:13 e Day laborers had no land and were a part of Israel’s lowest economic ranks. These hired workers depended on landowners for their livelihood. A hired man needed to receive his wages promptly so that he could feed his family (Deut 24:15 f); to withhold the wages of such a worker was to cheat him.
19:14 g The deaf and blind were helpless people, easy to belittle and exploit. The Israelites were not to take advantage of them.
19:15 h Neither the poor nor the rich were to be favored in a legal case. Justice was the priority at all times (see Exod 23:3 i, 6 j).
19:16 k Do not spread slanderous gossip: The image here is of a merchant who trades and sells harmful rumors and accusations. This practice would quickly erode and undermine the sense of community so valued in Israel (cp. Prov 11:13 l; 16:28 m; 20:19 n; 26:20 o; 2 Cor 12:20 p).
19:17 q for any of your relatives: The Hebrew term can refer to any fellow Israelite; all Israel was considered one family (cp. 1 Jn 3:15 r).
• Confront people directly: Love does not mean closing one’s eyes to wrong; reproof can help a person change.
19:18 s love your neighbor as yourself: This is the cornerstone for biblical ethics in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (see Matt 22:39 t; Mark 12:31 u; Luke 10:27 v; Rom 13:8-9 w; Gal 5:14 x; Jas 2:8 y). It includes foreigners (Lev 19:34 z; cp. Luke 10:30-37 aa). Conversely, hate leads to a grudge that can bear violent fruit (see 1 Jn 2:10-11 ab; 4:20 ac).
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