Deuteronomy 10:19 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 10:19 mean?

Deuteronomy 10:19 commands the Israelites to love the stranger, reminding them that they themselves were once strangers in the land of Egypt. The verse calls for empathy and kindness toward foreigners, rooted in the Israelites’ own experience of being outsiders.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. He urges them to remember their history as foreigners in Egypt and to treat those who are not native-born with love and care. The instruction is practical and ethical, tying their treatment of others directly to their own past suffering and dependence on God’s mercy.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 10:19

• The word for "love" is אָהַב (’ahav, H157), which often means to show deep care, loyalty, or affection. Here, it is not just a feeling but an active command to treat the stranger well.
• The word for "stranger" is גֵּר (ger, H1616), which refers to someone living among the Israelites who is not native-born, often a foreigner or sojourner. This word highlights that the command is about those who might be vulnerable or without the same rights as citizens.
• The word for "land" is אֶרֶץ (’erets, H776), meaning land or country, pointing specifically to Egypt as a place where the Israelites were once outsiders.
• "Egypt" is מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim, H4714), reminding the Israelites of their own history of oppression and dependence in a foreign land.

Why Deuteronomy 10:19 matters

• Deuteronomy 10:19 clarifies that the command to love the stranger is not just a general moral idea but is grounded in the Israelites’ own story of being foreigners and experiencing hardship.
• The verse emphasizes that empathy for outsiders is a core part of Israel’s identity and ethical code, not just a suggestion but a command tied to their relationship with God.
• This instruction fits into a larger section where Moses is reminding the people of God’s justice and care for the vulnerable, showing that kindness to strangers is a reflection of God’s own character.