You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-bornThis command emphasizes the importance of equality and justice within the community of Israel. In the ancient Near Eastern context, foreigners often had limited rights and were vulnerable to exploitation. By instructing the Israelites to treat foreigners as native-born, God is establishing a standard of fairness and compassion. This reflects the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor and is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches the parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:25-37), highlighting the call to love beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries.
and love him as yourself
This phrase underscores the commandment to love others, which is central to both the Old and New Testaments. It parallels the command found inLeviticus 19:18, "Love your neighbor as yourself," which Jesus cites as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). The call to love the foreigner as oneself challenges believers to extend empathy and kindness, recognizing the shared humanity and dignity of all people. This anticipates the inclusive nature of the Gospel, where all are invited into the family of God regardless of their background (Galatians 3:28).
for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt
This reminder of Israel's history serves as a powerful motivator for compassion. The Israelites' experience as foreigners in Egypt, where they faced oppression and hardship, is meant to cultivate empathy and a sense of solidarity with those who are now in similar positions. This historical context is crucial, as it connects the command to love foreigners with Israel's own narrative of redemption and deliverance. It also foreshadows the New Testament theme of believers as "aliens and strangers" in the world (1 Peter 2:11), emphasizing the transient nature of earthly life and the call to live with an eternal perspective.
I am the LORD your God
This declaration serves as the divine authority behind the command. It reminds the Israelites of their covenant relationship with God, who is holy and just. The phrase "I am the LORD your God" appears frequently in Leviticus, reinforcing the idea that God's laws are rooted in His character and His relationship with His people. It calls believers to obedience not out of mere duty, but as a response to God's identity and His gracious acts. This echoes the New Testament teaching that love and obedience are intertwined, as seen in Jesus' words, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Foreigners (Gerim)Refers to non-Israelites residing among the Israelites. In the Hebrew context, "ger" implies a sojourner or temporary resident who is not native-born.
2.
Native-born IsraelitesThe original inhabitants of the land, who are commanded to treat foreigners with love and equality.
3.
EgyptThe land where the Israelites were once enslaved, serving as a reminder of their own experience as foreigners.
4.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who commands His people to reflect His character in their treatment of others.
5.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are given laws to live by that reflect God's holiness and justice.
Teaching Points
Love as a Reflection of God's CharacterGod's command to love the foreigner is rooted in His own nature. As believers, we are called to reflect God's love and justice in our interactions with others.
Remembering Our Own JourneyJust as the Israelites were reminded of their time in Egypt, Christians are called to remember their own spiritual journey and extend grace and love to others.
Equality and JusticeThe command to treat foreigners as native-born emphasizes the importance of equality and justice in God's kingdom. Believers are to advocate for fair treatment of all people.
Hospitality as a WitnessShowing hospitality to strangers can be a powerful witness of God's love and can open doors for sharing the Gospel.
Practical Love in ActionLoving others as ourselves requires practical actions, such as providing for needs, offering friendship, and standing against injustice.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:34?
2.How does Leviticus 19:34 instruct us to treat foreigners among us today?
3.What does "love him as yourself" reveal about God's view on equality?
4.How does Leviticus 19:34 connect to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:39?
5.In what ways can we implement Leviticus 19:34 in our local communities?
6.How does remembering being "foreigners in Egypt" shape our empathy towards others?
7.How does Leviticus 19:34 challenge our treatment of immigrants and strangers today?
8.What historical context influenced the command in Leviticus 19:34?
9.How does Leviticus 19:34 reflect God's character and expectations for His people?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 19?
11.What does the Bible say about illegal immigration?
12.What does the Bible teach about loving others?
13.How should we treat our neighbors with love and kindness?
14.Who qualifies as my neighbor?What Does Leviticus 19:34 Mean
You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born- God commands Israel to give outsiders full social acceptance, not a second-class status. This is not a suggestion but a covenant expectation, echoingExodus 22:21 where the Lord says, “You must not mistreat or oppress a foreigner.”
- The phrase “as native-born” removes loopholes. Foreigners were to enjoy the same protections and opportunities as Israelites, just asNumbers 15:15 stipulates, “The assembly is to have the same statute for you and for the foreigner residing with you.”
- By instituting equal treatment, God models His own impartiality (Romans 2:11) and safeguards community holiness (Leviticus 18:26), proving that righteousness reaches beyond ethnic lines.
and love him as yourself- This repeats the earlier standard ofLeviticus 19:18, extending the great commandment to every neighbor, including the immigrant. Jesus later fuses these two commands inMatthew 22:39, confirming their enduring authority.
- Loving “as yourself” means:
• Providing material support when needed (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
• Defending legal rights (Deuteronomy 1:16).
• Welcoming into fellowship and worship (Isaiah 56:6-7).
- The call is active, not sentimental, mirroring the Samaritan’s compassion inLuke 10:33-37.
for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt- Memory fuels mercy.Exodus 23:9 reminds Israel, “You yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.” Personal history becomes moral leverage; having tasted oppression, they must not replicate it.
- God embeds humility in national identity, preventing ethnocentric pride (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
- This backward glance also reassures: the same God who delivered them will care for today’s sojourner (Psalm 146:9).
I am the LORD your God- The command rests on God’s character. He alone sets the standard and possesses authority to enforce it, just as He punctuates other holiness laws (Leviticus 20:7-8).
- “LORD” (YHWH) recalls covenant faithfulness first revealed inExodus 3:14, guaranteeing that obedience is never pointless but aligned with a real, present, personal God.
- By linking ethical duty to His name, the Lord makes hospitality an act of worship (Hebrews 13:1-2) and disobedience a personal affront (Malachi 3:5).
summaryLeviticus 19:34 binds God’s people to treat immigrants with the same rights, care, and affection they grant themselves, rooting this ethic in their own redemption story and in the holy, unchanging character of the Lord. What was true for Israel remains a timeless standard: God’s covenant people must reflect His impartial love in practical, tangible ways toward every outsider.
(34)
But the stranger that dwelleth.--Better,
The stranger that sojourneth.The word "but" is not in the original, and its insertion mars the flow of the passage, whilst the expression rendered in the Authorised Version by "dwelleth" is the same which is translated "sojourn in the preceding verse. This stranger is in every respect to be treated as any other member of the commonwealth, and as a native.
Shalt love him as thyself.--He is not simply to be treated with consideration and courtesy because he is a foreigner, and enjoy the rights and receive the justice due to every human being, but he is to be put on a perfect equality with the ordinary Israelite. Hence the precept laid down inLeviticus 19:18, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," is here enacted with regard to the stranger. It was this humane law which attracted so many strangers to Palestine. Hence we find that in the days of Solomon there were 153,600 strangers in the Holy Land.
For ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.--To enforce these kindly sentiments towards strangers, which was so contrary to the practice of the surrounding nations, who had an inveterate hatred of all foreigners, the lawgiver appeals to their own bitter experience. They knew with what inhumanity they were treated in Egypt because they were strangers, how they had been humiliated and reduced to slavery. The very thought of this will not only soften their hearts, but will enable them to see that the safety of all classes consists in basing our legislation upon the principle of equal rights to all inhabitants. This pathetic appeal is to be found three times more in the Pentateuch to enforce this precept (Exodus 22:20;Exodus 23:9;Deuteronomy 10:19).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You must treatיִהְיֶ֨ה(yih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bethe foreignerהַגֵּ֣ר ׀(hag·gêr)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616:A guest, a foreignerlivingהַגָּ֣ר(hag·gār)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1481:To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostilityamong youאִתְּכֶ֗ם(’it·tə·ḵem)Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, amongas native-bornכְּאֶזְרָ֣ח(kə·’ez·rāḥ)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 249:A spontaneous growth, nativeand loveוְאָהַבְתָּ֥(wə·’ā·haḇ·tā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 157:To have affection fhimלוֹ֙(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewas yourself,כָּמ֔וֹךָ(kā·mō·w·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3644:Like, as, whenforכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionyou wereהֱיִיתֶ֖ם(hĕ·yî·ṯem)Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beforeignersגֵרִ֥ים(ḡê·rîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1616:A guest, a foreignerin the landבְּאֶ֣רֶץ(bə·’e·reṣ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776:Earth, landof Egypt.מִצְרָ֑יִם(miṣ·rā·yim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714:Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest AfricaIאֲנִ֖י(’ă·nî)Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:Iam the LORDיְהוָ֥ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelyour God.אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃(’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
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OT Law: Leviticus 19:34 The stranger who lives as a foreigner (Le Lv Lev.) 
