Leviticus 19:17 - “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 19:17" mean?
Leviticus 19:17 is a powerful verse dealing with interpersonal relationships and the importance of direct communication rather than harboring resentment. Let's break it down:
"‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart."
This speaks against holding onto secret animosity or ill will towards another person (your "brother" which in this context, means fellow member of the community). The focus is on the internal feelings. You cannot control immediate feelings of anger or frustration, but you can control whether you nurture and let those feelings grow into deep-seated hatred.
It emphasizes the importance of addressing issues directly rather than allowing them to fester into resentment.
"You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him."
"Rebuke": This isn't about being mean or vindictive, but rather offering constructive criticism or correction when your neighbor is in the wrong. It implies a genuine concern for their well-being and a desire to help them avoid making mistakes. It is seen as an act of love and responsibility within the community.
"Not bear sin because of him": This is a bit more nuanced. It means that if you see your neighbor doing wrong and you do nothing to address it, you become partially responsible for their actions. By remaining silent, you allow the sin to continue, and potentially spread to others. You "bear" their sin in the sense that you become complicit in it. Also, it could mean that you sin by not confronting them, and allowing your resentment to grow.
In essence, it's a call to action. If you care about your community and the well-being of others, you have a responsibility to address wrongdoing in a compassionate but direct manner.
In summary, the verse means:
Don't harbor hatred or resentment. If you see your neighbor doing wrong, you have a responsibility to address it, not out of anger, but out of concern for them and for the community. By confronting the issue, you prevent sin from festering and avoid becoming complicit in it.
Important Considerations:
Context: This verse is part of a larger code of conduct in Leviticus 19, often called the "Holiness Code." It emphasizes ethical and moral behavior within the Israelite community.
Loving Rebuke: The rebuke should be done with love and respect, not with condemnation or judgment. The goal is to help the neighbor correct their behavior.
Modern Application: The principle applies to all relationships, not just family, in the modern world: friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
Practical application: The interpretation of this verse can be challenging in practice, and it has often been misused. For example, in our times, addressing what is seen as inappropriate behavior publicly is generally considered unacceptable and would be considered an abuse of this teaching. However, approaching the subject privately with your neighbor might be the best approach.
Nuance: It's important to also consider the nuance of the situation. Sometimes silence is the best course of action, especially if the neighbor is not open to receiving criticism, or if rebuking them would cause more harm than good. Discernment is key.
In short, Leviticus 19:17 calls for open communication, responsibility for one another, and a focus on addressing problems directly rather than allowing them to breed bitterness and sin.
Leviticus 19:17 - “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
What does "Leviticus 19:17" mean?
Leviticus 19:17 is a powerful verse dealing with interpersonal relationships and the importance of direct communication rather than harboring resentment. Let's break it down:
"‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart."
This speaks against holding onto secret animosity or ill will towards another person (your "brother" which in this context, means fellow member of the community). The focus is on the internal feelings. You cannot control immediate feelings of anger or frustration, but you can control whether you nurture and let those feelings grow into deep-seated hatred.
It emphasizes the importance of addressing issues directly rather than allowing them to fester into resentment.
"You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him."
"Rebuke": This isn't about being mean or vindictive, but rather offering constructive criticism or correction when your neighbor is in the wrong. It implies a genuine concern for their well-being and a desire to help them avoid making mistakes. It is seen as an act of love and responsibility within the community.
"Not bear sin because of him": This is a bit more nuanced. It means that if you see your neighbor doing wrong and you do nothing to address it, you become partially responsible for their actions. By remaining silent, you allow the sin to continue, and potentially spread to others. You "bear" their sin in the sense that you become complicit in it. Also, it could mean that you sin by not confronting them, and allowing your resentment to grow.
In essence, it's a call to action. If you care about your community and the well-being of others, you have a responsibility to address wrongdoing in a compassionate but direct manner.
In summary, the verse means:
Don't harbor hatred or resentment. If you see your neighbor doing wrong, you have a responsibility to address it, not out of anger, but out of concern for them and for the community. By confronting the issue, you prevent sin from festering and avoid becoming complicit in it.
Important Considerations:
Context: This verse is part of a larger code of conduct in Leviticus 19, often called the "Holiness Code." It emphasizes ethical and moral behavior within the Israelite community.
Loving Rebuke: The rebuke should be done with love and respect, not with condemnation or judgment. The goal is to help the neighbor correct their behavior.
Modern Application: The principle applies to all relationships, not just family, in the modern world: friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
Practical application: The interpretation of this verse can be challenging in practice, and it has often been misused. For example, in our times, addressing what is seen as inappropriate behavior publicly is generally considered unacceptable and would be considered an abuse of this teaching. However, approaching the subject privately with your neighbor might be the best approach.
Nuance: It's important to also consider the nuance of the situation. Sometimes silence is the best course of action, especially if the neighbor is not open to receiving criticism, or if rebuking them would cause more harm than good. Discernment is key.
In short, Leviticus 19:17 calls for open communication, responsibility for one another, and a focus on addressing problems directly rather than allowing them to breed bitterness and sin.