Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

LEVITICUS 19:11KJV
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Leviticus 19:11 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:11 mean?

Leviticus 19:11 commands the people not to steal, not to act dishonestly, and not to lie to each other. This verse sets out clear expectations for honest and trustworthy behavior within the community.

In Leviticus 19:11, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving them practical laws for living as His people. The verse is part of a larger section where God lays out ethical guidelines that shape daily life, focusing here on respect for others’ property and truthfulness in relationships.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:11

  • The word for "steal" is גָּנַב (ganav, H1589), which means to take something that does not belong to you. This covers all forms of theft, not just obvious stealing but also more subtle ways of taking what is not yours.
  • The word translated "falsely" is כָּחַשׁ (kachash, H3584), which often means to deceive or act untruthfully. It highlights that dishonesty can go beyond just spoken lies and can include misleading actions or false dealings.
  • The word for "lie" is שָׁקַר (shakar, H8266), which specifically refers to speaking what is not true. This word focuses on direct falsehoods told to another person.
  • The phrase "one to another" uses two different words: אִישׁ (ish, H376) for "one" and עָמִית (amit, H5997) for "another," emphasizing that these commands are about how people treat each other within the community, not just in a general sense.

Why Leviticus 19:11 matters

  • Leviticus 19:11 makes clear that honesty is not just about avoiding outright theft, but also about avoiding any kind of deception or falsehood in dealings with others.
  • This verse fits into a larger section where God calls His people to be holy by treating each other with fairness and respect, showing that ethical behavior is central to community life.
  • The use of specific Hebrew words for both actions and relationships highlights that these commands are practical and relational, shaping not just legal matters but everyday interactions among neighbors.

Where else these words appear

“lie” Hebrew H8266 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 21:23 Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
  • 1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
  • Psalms 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

“another” Hebrew H5997 · used in 10 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Leviticus 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
  • Leviticus 25:15 According to the number of years after the jubile thou shalt buy of thy neighbour, and according unto the number of years of the fruits he shall sell unto thee:

“falsely” Hebrew H3584 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
  • 1 Kings 13:18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
  • Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

“steal” Hebrew H1589 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Exodus 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest,(for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.