When a foreigner resides with you in your landThis phrase acknowledges the presence of non-Israelites living among the Israelites. In the ancient Near East, it was common for people to migrate due to trade, famine, or conflict. The term "foreigner" refers to those who were not native-born Israelites but chose to live within the community. This reflects God's inclusive nature and His concern for all humanity, not just Israel. The land is a significant theme in the Old Testament, representing God's promise to Abraham and his descendants (
Genesis 12:7). The presence of foreigners in the land highlights the universal scope of God's covenant, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant (
Ephesians 2:11-13).
you must not oppress him
This command underscores the importance of justice and compassion in God's law. Oppression of foreigners was a common issue in ancient societies, where outsiders often had no legal rights or protection. By instructing the Israelites not to oppress foreigners, God emphasizes His desire for His people to reflect His character of love and justice (Micah 6:8). This command is rooted in Israel's own experience of oppression in Egypt (Exodus 22:21), reminding them of their past and encouraging empathy. It also points to the future ministry of Jesus Christ, who consistently reached out to marginalized groups and taught love for one's neighbor (Luke 10:25-37).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Foreigners (Gerim)In the context of ancient Israel, these were non-Israelites who lived among the Israelites. The Hebrew word "ger" refers to a sojourner or temporary resident.
2.
IsraelitesThe people of Israel, to whom the laws of Leviticus were given. They were called to be a holy nation, set apart by God.
3.
The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a place where God's laws were to be lived out.
Teaching Points
God's Heart for the ForeignerGod consistently shows concern for the marginalized, including foreigners. This reflects His character as compassionate and just.
Remembering Our Own JourneyJust as the Israelites were once foreigners in Egypt, Christians are reminded of their own spiritual journey from alienation to belonging in God's family.
Hospitality as a Christian VirtueWelcoming and caring for strangers is a tangible expression of Christian love and hospitality, reflecting the love of Christ.
Justice and Fair TreatmentThe command not to oppress foreigners underscores the biblical principle of justice and fair treatment for all, regardless of their background.
Living Out Our FaithOur treatment of others, especially those who are different from us, is a testament to our faith and obedience to God's commands.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:33?
2.How does Leviticus 19:33 guide us in treating foreigners among us today?
3.What does "do not mistreat" imply about our behavior towards strangers?
4.How does Leviticus 19:33 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving neighbors?
5.In what ways can we apply Leviticus 19:33 in our community interactions?
6.How can Leviticus 19:33 influence our church's outreach to immigrants and refugees?
7.How does Leviticus 19:33 address the treatment of foreigners in ancient Israelite society?
8.What historical context influenced the command in Leviticus 19:33?
9.How does Leviticus 19:33 reflect God's character and expectations for His people?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 19?
11.How is ethnocentrism defined?
12.What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?
13.What is the Bible's stance on xenophobia?
14.What is the Bible's stance on asylum seekers?What Does Leviticus 19:33 Mean
When a foreigner resides“‘When a foreigner resides…’ (Leviticus 19:33) signals that God anticipated people from other nations living among Israel.
• The command is proactive, not hypothetical; Israel’s life was to be hospitable (Exodus 12:48).
• God had already reminded them, “You yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (Exodus 22:21), rooting the directive in shared experience.
• No distinction is made between the foreigner’s social status or length of stay—every outsider matters because every person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
With you“…resides with you…” means the foreigner is not kept at arm’s length but woven into daily community life.
• The phrase echoes “love your neighbor as yourself” earlier in the chapter (Leviticus 19:18) and is expanded in the very next verse: “The foreigner living among you must be treated as your native-born” (Leviticus 19:34).
• Ruth’s welcome into Bethlehem shows this principle in action (Ruth 2:11-12).
• In the New Testament, Gentile believers are called “fellow citizens with God’s people” (Ephesians 2:19), confirming that God’s family has always included outsiders.
In your land“…in your land…” reminds Israel that the territory ultimately belongs to the Lord (Leviticus 25:23;Psalm 24:1).
• Because the land is God’s, He sets the rules for its inhabitants.
• Possession never grants permission to mistreat; stewardship requires justice (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
• Welcoming the foreigner becomes an act of worship, acknowledging God’s ownership and mercy.
You must not oppress him“…you must not oppress him.” The prohibition is emphatic, closing every loophole.
• Oppression can be economic (withholding wages;Deuteronomy 24:14), legal (perverting justice;Exodus 23:9), or social (harsh treatment;Zechariah 7:10).
• God promises to “draw near for judgment” against those who oppress the sojourner (Malachi 3:5), showing how seriously He takes this command.
• Jesus echoes the heart of the verse when He says whatever is done “to the least of these” is done to Him (Matthew 25:40).
summaryLeviticus 19:33 reveals God’s enduring standard: every outsider living among His people is to be embraced, protected, and treated with the same dignity afforded to natives. Because the land is God’s and His people once knew the pain of alien status, they—and we—are called to extend compassionate, tangible justice to all who dwell among us.
(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 submit to the regulations about sacrifices (
Leviticus 17:8-9;
Leviticus 22:18); he had to abstain from eating blood and the flesh of animals torn by wild beasts (
Leviticus 22:10;
Leviticus 22:15); he had to practise the laws of chastity (
Leviticus 18:26); like the Israelite by birth, he had to refrain from blasphemy, and obey the moral precepts (
Leviticus 24:16-22). These were some of the conditions of his sojourning in the land. . . .
Verses 33, 34. - The command already given "neither to vex a stranger, nor oppress him" (
Exodus 22:21), on the pathetic ground that "ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt" (
Exodus 23:9), is broadened in these verses to the positive law, thou shalt love him as thyself. "The royal law of verse 18 is expressly extended to the stranger, and notwithstanding the national narrowness necessary to preserve the true religion in the world, the general brotherhood of mankind is hereby taught as far as was possible under the circumstances" (Gardiner).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Whenוְכִֽי־(wə·ḵî-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctiona foreignerגֵּ֖ר(gêr)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616:A guest, a foreignerresidesיָג֧וּר(yā·ḡūr)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1481:To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostilitywith youאִתְּךָ֛(’it·tə·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, amongin your land,בְּאַרְצְכֶ֑ם(bə·’ar·ṣə·ḵem)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 776:Earth, landyou must notלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nooppressתוֹנ֖וּ(ṯō·w·nū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3238:To rage, be violent, to suppress, to maltreathim.אֹתֽוֹ׃(’ō·ṯōw)Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case
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OT Law: Leviticus 19:33 If a stranger lives as a foreigner (Le Lv Lev.) 
