Leviticus 19:17 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:17 mean?

Leviticus 19:17 tells the Israelites not to secretly hate their fellow Israelite but instead to honestly confront a neighbor when they do wrong, so that sin does not continue unchecked. The verse emphasizes dealing with problems openly and caring enough to help someone avoid wrongdoing rather than harboring resentment.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses instructions for the people of Israel on how to live together in a just and holy community. The verse is part of a larger section about loving your neighbor and treating others fairly. The focus is on honest relationships—addressing issues directly instead of letting anger or hatred grow in the heart.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:17

• hate (שָׂנֵא, sane): This word means to feel hostility or intense dislike. The verse warns against letting such feelings remain hidden inside, especially toward a fellow Israelite.
• rebuke (יָכַח, yakhach): This word means to correct, reprove, or confront. The command is not just to point out faults harshly, but to help a neighbor see their mistake so they can change.
• suffer (נָשָׂא, nasa): Here, this word means to "bear" or "carry." The verse tells the reader not to "bear" or "carry" someone else's sin by ignoring it, which would make the bystander partly responsible.
• sin (חֵטְא, chet): This word means wrongdoing or missing the mark. The concern is that ignoring a neighbor's sin allows harm to spread, affecting the whole community.

Why Leviticus 19:17 matters

• Leviticus 19:17 clarifies that true care for others involves honest confrontation, not silent resentment or gossip.
• The verse shows that ignoring someone’s wrongdoing is not kindness; it can actually make you complicit in their sin.
• This command is part of a larger call to love your neighbor (see Leviticus 19:18), showing that love sometimes means having difficult conversations for the good of the community.