Leviticus 19:33 - “‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 19:33

What does "Leviticus 19:33" mean?


Leviticus 19:33 instructs the Israelites on how to treat foreigners living among them. It essentially means:

"Stranger" or "Foreigner": This refers to someone who is not a native Israelite and is residing in their land.
"Lives as a foreigner with you in your land": Emphasizes that this isn't just about passing travelers, but people who have chosen to live and integrate into Israelite society.
"You shall not do him wrong": This is the core command. It prohibits mistreating, oppressing, or taking advantage of foreigners. This could include:

Economic exploitation: Taking unfair advantage in business or labor.
Social discrimination: Excluding them from community life or treating them as inferior.
Legal injustice: Denying them fair treatment in the legal system.

In essence, the verse is a command to treat foreigners with respect, fairness, and kindness, ensuring they are not exploited or mistreated simply because they are not native-born. This reflects a broader ethical principle in the Torah about treating the vulnerable with compassion, as the Israelites themselves had been foreigners in Egypt.

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