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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/19-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/03_Lev_19_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. 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I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I <i>am</i> the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I <i>am</i> the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You shall not take vengeance, and you shall not keep <i>your anger</i> against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not take revenge nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor (acquaintance, associate, companion) as yourself; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't be angry or try to take revenge. I am the LORD, and I command you to love others as much as you love yourself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never get revenge. Never hold a grudge against any of your people. Instead, love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to seek vengeance or hold a grudge against the descendants of your people. Instead, love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you must love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not take vengeance, nor watch the sons of your people; and you have had love for your neighbor as yourself; I [am] YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou dost not take vengeance, nor watch the sons of thy people; and thou hast had love to thy neighbour as thyself; I am Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not avenge thyself nor keep anger with the sons of thy people, and didst love thy neighbor as thyself. I Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Seek not revenge, nor be mindful of the injury of thy citizens. Thou shalt love thy friend as thyself. I am the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge, neither should you be mindful of the injury of your fellow citizens. You shall love your friend as yourself. I am the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your own people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not bear any enmity against the children of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not keep hate for the children your people, but love your fellow man as yourself. I AM LORD JEHOVAH.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thy hand shall not avenge thee; and thou shalt not be angry with the children of thy people; and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/19-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=5095" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/19.htm">Love Your Neighbor</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5358.htm" title="5358: ṯiq·qōm (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To avenge, take vengeance. A primitive root; to grudge, i.e. Avenge or punish.">seek revenge</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5201.htm" title="5201: ṯiṭ·ṭōr (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To keep. A primitive root; to guard; figuratively, to cherish.">or bear a grudge</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">against any</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·me·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of your people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: wə·’ā·haḇ·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">but love</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: lə·rê·‘ă·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">your neighbor</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: kā·mō·w·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so.">as yourself.</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">am the LORD.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-39.htm">Matthew 22:39</a></span><br />And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-31.htm">Mark 12:31</a></span><br />The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Luke 10:27</a></span><br />He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9</a></span><br />The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a></span><br />The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8</a></span><br />If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43-44</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ / But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-21.htm">1 John 4:21</a></span><br />And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-11.htm">1 John 3:11</a></span><br />This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34</a></span><br />A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a></span><br />Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">Proverbs 20:22</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-29.htm">Proverbs 24:29</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a></span><br />And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">not avenge</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4,5</a></b></br> If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-25.htm">Deuteronomy 32:25</a></b></br> The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling <i>also</i> with the man of gray hairs.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/13-22.htm">2 Samuel 13:22,28</a></b></br> And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar… </p><p class="hdg">thou shalt</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43</a></b></br> Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/19-19.htm">Matthew 19:19</a></b></br> Honour thy father and <i>thy</i> mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/22-39.htm">Matthew 22:39,40</a></b></br> And the second <i>is</i> like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-6.htm">Attempts</a> <a href="/revelation/6-10.htm">Avenge</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-10.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Feelings</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Grudge</a> <a href="/leviticus/3-9.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/exodus/34-7.htm">Love</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-6.htm">Revenge</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-36.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-23.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Vengeance</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-35.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/13-4.htm">Attempts</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-25.htm">Avenge</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-10.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/numbers/5-14.htm">Feelings</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-54.htm">Grudge</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-33.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Love</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/judges/15-7.htm">Revenge</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-25.htm">Vengeance</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-15.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-33.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/19-1.htm">A repetition of various laws</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people</b><br>This command is part of the Holiness Code, a section of Leviticus (chapters 17-26) that outlines how the Israelites are to live as God's holy people. The prohibition against revenge and grudges emphasizes the importance of maintaining community harmony and reflects the broader biblical principle of forgiveness. In ancient Israel, personal vendettas could disrupt social order and lead to cycles of violence. This command is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about turning the other cheek (<a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Matthew 5:39</a>) and Paul advises against repaying evil for evil (<a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-19</a>). The focus on "your people" highlights the communal aspect of Israelite society, where kinship and tribal affiliations were central.<p><b>but love your neighbor as yourself</b><br>This phrase is foundational to both Jewish and Christian ethics. It encapsulates the principle of empathy and selflessness, urging individuals to treat others with the same care and respect they desire for themselves. Jesus cites this command as the second greatest commandment, alongside loving God (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a>). The term "neighbor" extends beyond immediate kin to include all members of the community, and in the parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>), Jesus expands this definition to include all humanity. This command challenges believers to transcend personal biases and prejudices, fostering a spirit of unity and compassion.<p><b>I am the LORD</b><br>This declaration underscores the divine authority behind the command. It serves as a reminder that the laws given to Israel are not merely societal norms but are rooted in the character and will of God. The phrase "I am the LORD" appears frequently in Leviticus, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people. It calls the Israelites to obedience, not just out of duty, but as an act of worship and reverence for their covenant-keeping God. This divine signature assures the Israelites that their moral and ethical conduct is a reflection of their identity as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites and the mediator of God's Law, including the instructions found in Leviticus.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God gave the Law to Moses, including the commandments found in Leviticus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who commands His people to live in holiness and love, reflecting His character.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/n/neighbor.htm">Neighbor</a></b><br>In the context of Leviticus, this refers to fellow Israelites, but the principle extends to all people as seen in the broader biblical account.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_love.htm">The Call to Love</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to love others selflessly, reflecting God's love for us. This love is not just an emotion but an action that seeks the well-being of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/forgiveness_over_revenge.htm">Forgiveness Over Revenge</a></b><br>Holding grudges and seeking revenge are contrary to God's command. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven, trusting God to be the ultimate judge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_relationships.htm">Holiness in Relationships</a></b><br>Our relationships with others are a reflection of our relationship with God. Loving our neighbor is a practical expression of living a holy life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_in_god.htm">Identity in God</a></b><br>The command ends with "I am the LORD," reminding us that our identity and actions are rooted in our relationship with God. Our love for others is a response to His authority and character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/universal_application.htm">Universal Application</a></b><br>While originally directed at the Israelites, the principle of loving one's neighbor extends to all humanity, as affirmed by Jesus and the New Testament writers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_tolerance_and_convictions_differ.htm">How do tolerance and convictions differ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_lev._19_18_align_with_violence.htm">If Leviticus 19:18 teaches loving one’s neighbor, how does that align with instances of violence in other biblical passages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_treat_neighbors_kindly.htm">How should we treat our neighbors with love and kindness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_teaching_on_love.htm">What is the Bible's teaching on love?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not avenge.</span>--As the preceding verse enjoins upon us to reprove the offender, this verse forbids us to avenge the wrong even when the rebuke has proved ineffectual, thus demanding the greatest sacrifice on the part of the injured person. The administrators of the law during the second Temple illustrate what is meant by avenge by the following example. "When a disobliging person who is in need applies to you to lend him something, and you reply, 'I will not lend you even as you would not lend me,' this is to avenge." (Comp. also <a href="/romans/12-19.htm" title="Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord.">Romans 12:19</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Nor bear any grudge.</span>--The law goes further still. It enjoins that the injured man is to banish from memory the injury he has suffered, though the offender has made no reparation. The spiritual authorities during the time of Christ regarded the simple reference to the injury when a kindly act is performed to our adversary as a violation of this injunction. They illustrated it by the following example. When an adversary applies to you to lend him something, and you actually comply with his request, but in so doing you say, "I lend it you, I will not act as you have acted, for you have refused to lend me," this is a violation of the command not to bear any grudge. "He who at the reconciliation with his adversary readily forgives his transgressions, his own trespasses will also be readily forgiven in the day of judgment," is the oft-repeated precept of the sages during the second Temple. Again, "He who suffers injuries and does not return injury for injury, he who is reviled? 1 does not revile again, fulfils acts of love and rejoice in suffering; of him it is said, 'Those that love him are like the sun, which comes forth in its might from all dark clouds beaming with light'" (<a href="/judges/5-31.htm" title="So let all your enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goes forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.">Judges 5:31</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.</span>--This sublime precept formed the centre around which clustered the ethical systems propounded by some of the most distinguished Jewish teachers during the second Temple. When Hillel was asked by one who wished to learn the sum and substance of the Divine Law in the shortest possible time, this sage replied by giving a paraphrase of the precept before us in a negative form, "What thou dost not wish that others should do to thee, that do not thou to others; this is the whole Law, the rest is only its interpretation. Now go and learn." Christ gives it in the positive form (<a href="/matthew/7-12.htm" title="Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.">Matthew 7:12</a>; <a href="/luke/6-31.htm" title="And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise.">Luke 6:31</a>; <a href="/context/romans/13-8.htm" title="Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.">Romans 13:8-10</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - Revenge and malice are forbidden as well as hatred, and the negative precepts culminate in the positive law. <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,</span> which sums up in itself one half of the Decalogue (<a href="/matthew/22-40.htm">Matthew 22:40</a>). "For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law" (<a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/19-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seek revenge</span><br /><span class="heb">תִקֹּ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiq·qōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5358.htm">Strong's 5358: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grudge, avenge, punish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or bear a grudge</span><br /><span class="heb">תִטֹּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiṭ·ṭōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5201.htm">Strong's 5201: </a> </span><span class="str2">To guard, to cherish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against any</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your people,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמֶּ֔ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·me·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but love</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·haḇ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your neighbor</span><br /><span class="heb">לְרֵעֲךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(lə·rê·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as yourself.</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּמ֑וֹךָ</span> <span class="translit">(kā·mō·w·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3644.htm">Strong's 3644: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like, as, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance nor bear (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 19:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 19:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/19-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 19:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 19:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>