Leviticus 19:34 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:34 mean?

Leviticus 19:34 commands the Israelites to treat foreigners living among them with the same kindness and respect as they would treat their own people, loving them as themselves. The verse reminds the Israelites that they were once foreigners in Egypt, grounding this command in their own experience and in God’s authority.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving laws about how to live in their community. The focus here is on the "stranger"—someone from outside Israel (often called a sojourner) who has come to live among them. The command is not just about fair treatment, but about genuine love and inclusion, tying it to the Israelites’ own history as outsiders in Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:34

• "stranger" (גֵּר, ger): This word refers to a foreigner or sojourner, someone not originally from Israel but living among them. The use of גֵּר (ger) highlights that the command is about people who are outsiders by birth or background.
• "dwelleth" (גּוּר, gur): This verb means to reside or stay temporarily. It shows that the law applies to those who have come to live with the Israelites, not just passing travelers.
• "born" (אֶזְרָח, ezrach): This word means a native-born person. The verse says to treat the stranger "as one born among you," emphasizing equal standing in the community.
• "love" (אָהַב, ahav): This is the same word used for loving one’s neighbor. The command is not just about tolerance but about active care and goodwill.

Why Leviticus 19:34 matters

• Leviticus 19:34 clarifies that the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (given earlier in this chapter) explicitly includes foreigners, not just fellow Israelites.
• The verse roots the command in shared experience, reminding the Israelites that they too were once outsiders, which adds emotional and moral weight to the instruction.
• This verse stands out in the ancient world for its call to treat outsiders with the same dignity as insiders, showing an early biblical concern for justice and empathy beyond one’s own group.