Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

LEVITICUS 19:18KJV
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Leviticus 19:18 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:18 mean?

Leviticus 19:18 commands the Israelites not to seek revenge or hold onto resentment against others in their community, but instead to love their neighbor as themselves, because God is the one giving this instruction. The verse sets a clear standard for personal relationships among the people, rooted in fairness, forgiveness, and active goodwill.

In Leviticus 19:18, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving them practical laws for living together as a holy community. The verse is part of a larger section where God outlines how the Israelites should treat one another, emphasizing that their behavior toward each other reflects their relationship with God. The instruction to "love your neighbor as yourself" is presented as a foundational principle for community life.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:18

  • The word "avenge" (נָקַם, naqam) means to take revenge or retaliate. This highlights that the command is not just about avoiding violence, but also about letting go of the desire to get even.
  • "Grudge" (נָטַר, natar) refers to keeping anger or holding onto a past wrong. The verse addresses not only actions, but also attitudes and feelings that can harm relationships.
  • "Neighbor" (רֵעַ, re'a) in this context means a fellow member of the community, not just someone living nearby. The command is about relationships within the group, but the principle can be understood broadly.
  • "Love" (אָהַב, ahav) means to seek the good of another, not just to feel affection. The verse calls for active concern and care, not just passive tolerance.

Why Leviticus 19:18 matters

  • Leviticus 19:18 clarifies that loving others is not just an emotion, but a choice to act kindly and fairly, even when wronged.
  • The verse shows that God’s laws are concerned with both outward actions and inward attitudes, addressing the roots of conflict and resentment.
  • This command is quoted by Jesus and others in the New Testament as a summary of the law, showing its central place in biblical teaching about how people should treat one another.

Where else these words appear

“grudge” Hebrew H5201 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 103:9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
  • Song of Solomon 8:11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
  • Jeremiah 3:5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.

“thyself” Hebrew H3644 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
  • 1 Kings 22:4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
  • Isaiah 26:18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

“avenge” Hebrew H5358 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
  • 1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
  • Jeremiah 5:29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?