New International VersionDo not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
New Living TranslationShow your fear of God by not treating them harshly.
English Standard VersionYou shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
Berean Standard BibleYou are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God.
King James BibleThou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
New King James VersionYou shall not rule over him with rigor, but you shall fear your God.
New American Standard BibleYou shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.
NASB 1995‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.
NASB 1977‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.
Legacy Standard BibleYou shall not have dominion over him with brutality, but you shall fear your God.
Amplified BibleYou shall not rule over him with harshness (severity, oppression), but you are to fear your God [with profound reverence].
Christian Standard BibleYou are not to rule over them harshly but fear your God.
Holman Christian Standard BibleYou are not to rule over them harshly but fear your God.
American Standard VersionThou shalt not rule over him with rigor, but shalt fear thy God.
Contemporary English VersionSo obey me, and don't be cruel to the poor.
English Revised VersionThou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationDo not treat them harshly. Fear your God.
Good News TranslationDo not treat them harshly, but obey your God.
International Standard VersionYou are not to rule over them with harshness. You are to fear your God."
NET BibleYou must not rule over him harshly, but you must fear your God.
New Heart English BibleYou shall not rule over him with harshness, but shall fear your God.
Webster's Bible TranslationThou shalt not rule over him with rigor, but shalt fear thy God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God.
World English BibleYou shall not rule over him with harshness, but shall fear your God. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionyou do not rule over him with rigor, and you have been afraid of your God.
Young's Literal Translation thou rulest not over him with rigour, and thou hast been afraid of thy God.
Smith's Literal TranslationThou shalt not rule over him with crushing, and thou shalt be afraid of thy God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAfflict him not by might, but fear thy God.
Catholic Public Domain VersionDo not afflict him by power, but be fearful of your God.
New American BibleDo not lord it over them harshly, but stand in fear of your God.
New Revised Standard VersionYou shall not rule over them with harshness, but shall fear your God. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not compel them to do hard work; but shall fear your God.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd you shall not force him into hard service, and be in awe of your God. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationThou shalt not oppress him with labour, and shalt fear the Lord thy God.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Redemption of Bondmen… 42Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves. 43You are notto ruleover themharshly,but you shall fearyour God.44Your menservants and maidservants shall come from the nations around you, from whom you may purchase them.…
Cross References Exodus 1:13-14They worked the Israelites ruthlessly / and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.
Deuteronomy 15:14-15You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. / Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; that is why I am giving you this command today.
Ephesians 6:9And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
Colossians 4:1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Deuteronomy 24:14-15Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
James 5:4Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Exodus 21:2-6If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. / If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. / If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. ...
Matthew 7:12In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
Luke 6:31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Jeremiah 34:14Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.
1 Timothy 6:1-2All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.
Philemon 1:15-16For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
Proverbs 22:16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
Isaiah 58:3-6“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? ...
Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Treasury of Scripture You shall not rule over him with rigor; but shall fear your God. rule Leviticus 25:46,53
And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inheritthem for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour… Exodus 1:13,14
And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: … Exodus 2:23
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. but shalt Leviticus 25:17
Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for Iam the LORD your God. Exodus 1:17,21
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive… Deuteronomy 25:18
How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee,even allthat were feeble behind thee, when thouwast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Jump to Previous AfraidFearHardHarshnessMasterRevereRigorRigourRulestRuthlesslySeverityJump to Next AfraidFearHardHarshnessMasterRevereRigorRigourRulestRuthlesslySeverityLeviticus 25 1.the Sabbath of the seventh year8.The jubilee in the fiftieth year14.Of oppression18.A blessing of obedience23.The redemption of land29.Of houses35.Compassion to the poor39.The usage of bondmen47.The redemption of servantsYou are not to rule over them harshlyThis phrase addresses the treatment of fellow Israelites who have become servants due to poverty. The command not to rule harshly reflects God's concern for justice and compassion within the community. In the ancient Near Eastern context, slavery was common, but Israel was called to a higher standard, emphasizing humane treatment. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where masters are instructed to treat their servants justly and fairly ( Colossians 4:1). The idea of not ruling harshly can also be seen as a type of Christ, who leads with gentleness and humility ( Matthew 11:29). but you shall fear your God
The fear of God is a central theme throughout Scripture, signifying reverence, awe, and obedience to His commandments. This phrase connects the ethical treatment of others with one's relationship with God, suggesting that true reverence for God is demonstrated through just actions. The fear of God is foundational in the wisdom literature, such asProverbs 9:10, where it is described as the beginning of wisdom. This fear is not terror but a profound respect that influences behavior, aligning with Jesus' teaching that love for God and neighbor are the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-39). Persons / Places / Events 1. Moses- The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including those in Leviticus. 2. Israelites- The chosen people of God to whom the laws in Leviticus were given. 3. Canaan- The land promised to the Israelites, where they were to implement these laws. 4. Jubilee Year- A significant event in Israelite society where debts were forgiven, and slaves were freed, emphasizing the context of Leviticus 25. 5. God (Yahweh)- The divine lawgiver who commands the Israelites to act justly and with reverence for Him. Teaching Points Respect and DignityAs believers, we are called to treat others with respect and dignity, recognizing their inherent worth as God's creation. Fear of GodOur actions towards others should be motivated by a reverent fear of God, acknowledging His authority and justice. Leadership and AuthorityThose in positions of authority should exercise their power with humility and compassion, avoiding harshness. Social JusticeThe principles in Leviticus 25:43 encourage us to advocate for fair treatment and justice in our communities. Reflecting God's CharacterBy treating others well, we reflect God's character and His commandments, serving as a witness to His love and justice. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 25
Why does the Bible never explicitly condemn slavery?
What does fearing God entail?
Why does the command to release servants (Lev 25:39–46) appear inconsistent with other biblical passages endorsing servitude?
What are the Bible's teachings on lending money?(43) Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour.--The master is forbidden to tyrannise over him as if he were a slave without any rights. Verse 43. - Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God, is paralleled by the New Testament injunction, "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him" ( Ephesians 6:9).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew You are notלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noto ruleתִרְדֶּ֥ה(ṯir·deh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7287:To tread down, subjugate, to crumble offover them harshly,בְּפָ֑רֶךְ(bə·p̄ā·reḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6531:Harshness, severitybut you shall fearוְיָרֵ֖אתָ(wə·yā·rê·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3372:To fear, to revere, caus, to frightenyour God.מֵאֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃(mê·’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
Links Leviticus 25:43 NIVLeviticus 25:43 NLTLeviticus 25:43 ESVLeviticus 25:43 NASBLeviticus 25:43 KJV
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OT Law: Leviticus 25:43 You shall not rule over him (Le Lv Lev.) |
