What does Leviticus 19:34 mean?
"But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." - Leviticus 19:34
Leviticus 19:34 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."
This verse is part of the Holiness Code in the book of Leviticus, which outlines ethical and religious laws for the Israelites. In this particular verse, God instructs the Israelites to treat the foreigners living among them with love and acceptance, and to consider them as equals. This commandment is rooted in the Israelites' own experience as foreigners in the land of Egypt and serves as a reminder to show compassion to those who are different from them.
One of the key themes of this verse is the concept of hospitality and compassion towards strangers. The verse emphasizes the importance of welcoming and integrating foreigners into the community, rather than treating them as outsiders. This theme of inclusivity and acceptance is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, and it reflects the broader message of love and compassion that is central to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
Another important theme in this verse is the idea of empathy and understanding towards those who are marginalized or vulnerable. By reminding the Israelites of their own history as strangers in a foreign land, God encourages them to put themselves in the shoes of the foreigners among them and to treat them with the same kindness and respect they would want for themselves. This theme of empathy is a fundamental aspect of ethical and moral behavior, and it reinforces the principle of treating others as you would want to be treated.
The contextual background of this verse is also significant in understanding its meaning. The Israelites were a nomadic people who often traveled through various lands, and they would have encountered many different cultures and peoples along the way. This verse serves as a reminder to the Israelites that they should not mistreat or discriminate against those who are not part of their own community, but rather, they should embrace diversity and show love to all people, regardless of their nationality or background.
Symbolism plays a role in this verse as well, particularly in the reference to the Israelites' time in Egypt. The experience of slavery in Egypt was a formative event in the history of the Israelite people, and it shaped their identity as a community. By referencing this history, God is reminding the Israelites of their own vulnerability and the oppression they faced, and urging them to be mindful of the experiences of others who may be in a similar situation. This symbolism underscores the idea that all people are deserving of compassion and respect, regardless of their social or economic status.
In conclusion, Leviticus 19:34 is a powerful reminder of the importance of hospitality, empathy, and inclusivity in the treatment of strangers and foreigners. The verse emphasizes the need to love and accept others as equals, and it underscores the idea that all people are worthy of compassion and respect. This message is not only a foundational principle in the Old Testament but also resonates throughout the entire Bible, reflecting the universal themes of love, empathy, and justice that are central to the teachings of Christianity.
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Leviticus 19:34 - "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."
"But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." - Leviticus 19:34
Leviticus 25:34 - "But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession."
Genesis 19-34
Leviticus 19:33-34 - "When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God."
Leviticus 27:34 - "These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai."
2 Chronicles 34:19
2 Chronicles 34:19
Luke 19:34 - "And they said, The Lord hath need of him."
Leviticus 8:34 - "As he hath done this day, so the LORD hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you."
Leviticus 21:19 - "Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,"
Numbers 34:19 - "And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh."
Leviticus 6:19 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Leviticus 19:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Psalms 34:19 - "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
"But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession." - Leviticus 25:34
Leviticus 23:34 - "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD."
Leviticus 14:34 - "When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;"
Leviticus 11:34 - "Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean."
Leviticus 11:19 - "And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat."
Leviticus 19:7 - "And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted."
Leviticus 16:34 - "And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses."
Leviticus 26:34 - "Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths."
"Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded," - Leviticus 21:19
Leviticus 5:19 - "It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD."
2 Kings 19:34 - "For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."
Leviticus 19:35 - "¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure."
John 19:34 - "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water."
Leviticus 8:19 - "And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about."
Leviticus 19:33 - "¶ And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him."