You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart.This command emphasizes the internal nature of sin, focusing on the heart's condition rather than just external actions. In the ancient Israelite community, "brother" referred to fellow Israelites, highlighting the importance of maintaining unity and love within the covenant community. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus expands the concept of "neighbor" to include all people (
Matthew 5:21-22,
Matthew 22:39). The prohibition against harboring hatred aligns with the broader biblical theme of love and reconciliation, as seen in 1
John 3:15, which equates hatred with murder. The heart is central in biblical anthropology, often seen as the seat of emotions and intentions (
Jeremiah 17:9). This command calls for self-examination and the cultivation of a heart aligned with God's love and justice.
Directly rebuke your neighbor,
The directive to rebuke a neighbor underscores the importance of addressing sin and wrongdoing within the community. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, maintaining communal holiness was vital, as the community's collective relationship with God was at stake. This practice of direct confrontation is also seen in the New Testament, where Jesus instructs believers to address offenses directly with the person involved (Matthew 18:15-17). The goal of rebuke is not condemnation but restoration and reconciliation, reflecting God's desire for His people to live in harmony and righteousness.Proverbs 27:5-6 highlights the value of open rebuke over hidden love, emphasizing the constructive role of correction in relationships.
so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
This phrase highlights the communal responsibility within the covenant community. Failing to address a neighbor's sin could result in shared guilt, as the community was seen as a collective entity before God. This reflects the interconnectedness of the Israelites, where individual actions could impact the entire community's standing with God. The concept of shared guilt is seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as the sin of Achan inJoshua 7, where one person's sin brought consequences upon the whole nation. This principle underscores the importance of accountability and mutual responsibility among God's people, encouraging proactive engagement in each other's spiritual well-being.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The IsraelitesThe original audience of Leviticus, the Israelites were God's chosen people, receiving the Law through Moses as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.
2.
MosesThe prophet and leader who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai and communicated it to the Israelites.
3.
The Promised LandThe destination of the Israelites, a land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, representing a place of blessing and fulfillment.
Teaching Points
The Call to Love and HonestyGod commands us to love our neighbors genuinely, which includes being honest and direct when addressing wrongs. This prevents bitterness and promotes healing.
The Danger of Harboring HatredHolding onto hatred can lead to sin and guilt. It is crucial to address issues openly to maintain a pure heart and right standing with God.
The Importance of Community AccountabilityAddressing sin within the community is vital for maintaining holiness and unity. It reflects God's desire for His people to live in harmony and righteousness.
The Role of Rebuke in Spiritual GrowthConstructive rebuke, when done in love, can lead to personal and communal growth. It is an opportunity for repentance and strengthening relationships.
The Balance of Truth and GraceWhile truth must be spoken, it should always be coupled with grace and love, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 19
How should you address someone who has wronged you?
What is the Bible's perspective on hate?
How should you address someone who has wronged you?
What does the Bible say about mean-spiritedness?(17)
Shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart.--From the outward acts denounced in the preceding verse, the legislator now passes to inward feelings. Whatever wrong our neighbour has inflicted upon us, we are not to harbour hatred against him.
Thou shalt in any wise rebuke.--Better,thou shalt by all means,orthou shalt freely rebuke him.If he has done wrong he is to be reproved, and the wrong is to be brought home to him by expostulation. In illustration of this precept the Jewish canonists remark, "when any man sinneth against another he must not inwardly hate him and keep silence, as it is said of the wicked, 'And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon' (2Samuel 13:22); but he is commanded to make it known unto him, and to say, 'Why hast thou done thus unto me?'" Similar is the admonition of Christ, "If thy brother sin against thee rebuke him, and if he repent forgive him" (Luke 17:3).
And not suffer sin upon him.--Betterso that thou bear not sin on his account.That is, by not reproving him, but harbouring inward hatred towards the offender, we not only become partakers of his offence, but incur the sin of bearing secret ill-will (Romans 1:32;Ephesians 4:26;1Timothy 5:20;1Timothy 5:22). According to the spiritual authorities during the second Temple, however, this clause denotes, "but thou shalt bear no sin by reason of it," as the Authorised Version translates this phrase inNumbers 18:32; that is, "execute the duty of reproof in such a manner that thou dost not incur sin by it," which they explain in the following manner: "Even if the reproof is ineffectual the first time, it must be repeated over and over again, but the rebuker must desist as soon as he sees blushes on the offender's face, for it shows that the reproofs have made an impression. Every step taken by the one who reproves, after the offender has thus indicated by his countenance that he realises the offence, is an unnecessary humiliation, and hence brings sin upon him who rebukes by reason of it." . . .
Verse 17. - On the one side we are not to
hate our brother in our heart, whatever wrongs he may commit; but on the other side, we are
in any wise to rebuke our neighbour for his wrong doing. So our Lord teaches, "if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him" (
Luke 17:3); and he appoints a solemn mode of procedure, by which this fraternal rebuke is to be conveyed in his Church: "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church; but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" (
Matthew 18:15-17). Therefore St. Paul warns his delegates, Timothy and Titus, "Them that sin rebuke before all" (
1 Timothy 5:20). "Reprove, rebuke" (
2 Timothy 4:2). "Rebuke them sharply" (
Titus 1:13). "Rebuke with all authority" (
Titus 2:15). By withholding reproof in a bitter spirit, or from a feeling of cowardice, we may become partakers of other men's sins. Whoever fails to rebuke his neighbour when he ought to do so,
bears sin on his account (the more correct and less ambiguous rendering of the words translated in the Authorized Version,
suffer sin upon him, cf.
Numbers 18:22, 32). God's people are their brothers' keepers (
Genesis 4:9).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You must notלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noharbor hatredתִשְׂנָ֥א(ṯiś·nā)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8130:To hateagainst your brotherאָחִ֖יךָ(’ā·ḥî·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 251:A brother, )in your heart.בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ(bil·ḇā·ḇe·ḵā)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3824:Inner man, mind, will, heartDirectlyהוֹכֵ֤חַ(hō·w·ḵê·aḥ)Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3198:To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convictrebukeתּוֹכִ֙יחַ֙(tō·w·ḵî·aḥ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3198:To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convictyour neighbor,עֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ(‘ă·mî·ṯe·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5997:Companionship, a comrade, kindred manso that you will notוְלֹא־(wə·lō-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noincurתִשָּׂ֥א(ṯiś·śā)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takeguiltחֵֽטְא׃(ḥêṭ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2399:A crime, its penaltyon account of him.עָלָ֖יו(‘ā·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against
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OT Law: Leviticus 19:17 You shall not hate your brother (Le Lv Lev.) 
