New International Version “’Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. New Living Translation “Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. English Standard Version “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. Berean Standard Bible You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. Berean Literal Bible You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor and you shall not you shall not lift up upon him sin. King James Bible Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. New King James Version ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. New American Standard Bible ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may certainly rebuke your neighbor, but you are not to incur sin because of him. NASB 1995 ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. NASB 1977 ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. Legacy Standard Bible ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, and so not bear sin because of him. Amplified Bible ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. Berean Annotated Bible You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. Christian Standard Bible “Do not harbor hatred against your brother. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him. Holman Christian Standard Bible You must not harbor hatred against your brother. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him. American Standard Version Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. Contemporary English Version Don't hold grudges. On the other hand, it's wrong not to correct someone who needs correcting. English Revised Version Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbour, and not bear sin because of him. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Never hate another Israelite. Be sure to correct your neighbor so that you will not be guilty of sinning along with him. Good News Translation "Do not bear a grudge against others, but settle your differences with them, so that you will not commit a sin because of them. International Standard Version "You are not to hate your relative in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor if you must, but you are not to incur guilt on account of him. NET Bible You must not hate your brother in your heart. You must surely reprove your fellow citizen so that you do not incur sin on account of him. New Heart English Bible "'You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. Webster's Bible Translation Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. World English Bible “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou do not hate your brother in your heart; you certainly reprove your fellow, and do not permit sin on him. Berean Literal Bible You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor and you shall not you shall not lift up upon him sin. Young's Literal Translation 'Thou dost not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou dost certainly reprove thy fellow, and not suffer sin on him. Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: rebuking, thou shalt rebuke thy neighbor, and thou shalt not take sin upon him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart, but reprove him openly, lest thou incur sin through him. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but reprove him openly, lest you have sin over him. New American Bible You shall not hate any of your kindred in your heart. Reprove your neighbor openly so that you do not incur sin because of that person. New Revised Standard Version You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not hate your brother in your heart; but you shall in any wise rebuke your neighbor, lost you incur sin because of him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You shall not hate your brother in your heart but certainly you shall reprove your neighbor, that you will not bear sin because of him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbour, and not bear sin because of him. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, so thou shalt not bear sin on his account. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Love Your Neighbor…16You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. 17You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. 18Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.… Cross References You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Proverbs 26:24-26 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. Matthew 5:21-24 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. / So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, … Directly rebuke your neighbor, Matthew 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. Luke 17:3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Proverbs 27:5-6 Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. / The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. Ezekiel 33:8-9 If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. / But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life. Proverbs 24:11-12 Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. / If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds? James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, / consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, Matthew 5:22-24 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. / So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? / God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Treasury of Scripture You shall not hate your brother in your heart: you shall in any wise rebuke your neighbor, and not suffer sin on him. hate Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. Proverbs 26:24-26 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; … 1 John 2:9,11 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now… rebuke Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Proverbs 27:5,6 Open rebuke is better than secret love… and not suffer sin upon him. Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 1 Corinthians 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. Jump to Previous Account Bear Countryman Earnestly Evil Fellow Frankly Guilt Heart Incur Neighbor Neighbour Protest Reason Rebuke Reprove Share Sin Stopped Suffer Surely WiseJump to Next Account Bear Countryman Earnestly Evil Fellow Frankly Guilt Heart Incur Neighbor Neighbour Protest Reason Rebuke Reprove Share Sin Stopped Suffer Surely WiseLeviticus 19 1. A repetition of various lawsYou must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. God forbids concealed hostility as well as outward acts of violence. “Brother” ordinarily refers to a fellow Israelite, a member of the covenant people whom God had bound together in worship, justice, and mutual care. Hatred allowed to remain in the heart corrupts fellowship and prepares the way for sinful words and actions. Jesus exposed the same root of sin when He warned that unjust anger places a person under God’s judgment (Matthew 5:21–22). John likewise teaches that hatred toward a brother is akin to murder because it stands opposed to the life and love God gives (1 John 3:15). Pro 26:24-26 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech… Directly rebuke your neighbor, Love does not hide resentment behind silence. Israelites were to address known wrongdoing honestly rather than nourish bitterness or spread accusations among others. Such reproof sought repentance, restoration, and the preservation of holiness within the people God had redeemed. Jesus gave the same pattern to His disciples: go first to the one who has sinned and seek to win him back (Matthew 18:15). Faithful correction may wound for a moment, but it serves the good of the one corrected and protects the unity of God’s people (Proverbs 27:5–6). Mat 18:15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him… so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. Refusing to confront sin could make an Israelite complicit in the harm that sin produced. Israel stood before God as a covenant community, and persistent rebellion by one member could bring consequences upon many, as Achan’s sin demonstrated at Ai (Joshua 7). Loving rebuke guards both the offender and the community from deeper guilt. God calls His people to reject hatred, pursue truth, and bear responsibility for one another’s spiritual welfare. Ezk 33:8-9 If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’… Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe original audience of Leviticus, the Israelites were God's chosen people, receiving the Law through Moses as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land. 2. Moses The prophet and leader who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai and communicated it to the Israelites. 3. The Promised Land The destination of the Israelites, a land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, representing a place of blessing and fulfillment. Teaching Points The Call to Love and HonestyGod commands us to love our neighbors genuinely, which includes being honest and direct when addressing wrongs. This prevents bitterness and promotes healing. The Danger of Harboring Hatred Holding onto hatred can lead to sin and guilt. It is crucial to address issues openly to maintain a pure heart and right standing with God. The Importance of Community Accountability Addressing sin within the community is vital for maintaining holiness and unity. It reflects God's desire for His people to live in harmony and righteousness. The Role of Rebuke in Spiritual Growth Constructive rebuke, when done in love, can lead to personal and communal growth. It is an opportunity for repentance and strengthening relationships. The Balance of Truth and Grace While truth must be spoken, it should always be coupled with grace and love, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:17?2. How does Leviticus 19:17 guide us in addressing sin among fellow believers? 3. What does "rebuke your neighbor" mean within the context of Christian love? 4. How can we avoid "harboring hatred" while correcting others, as Leviticus instructs? 5. What New Testament teachings align with Leviticus 19:17's call to rebuke sin? 6. How can we practically implement Leviticus 19:17 in our church community today? 7. What does Leviticus 19:17 teach about confronting others with love and avoiding hatred? 8. How does Leviticus 19:17 align with the broader message of love in the Bible? 9. Why is rebuking a neighbor emphasized in Leviticus 19:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 19? What Does Leviticus 19:17 Mean You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heartHolding on to inner resentment is forbidden. Love is to rule the hidden places of the heart, not bitterness. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 5:22, warning that anger puts us in danger of judgment. John sharpens the point: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). The same call to inward purity appears in Psalm 66:18, reminding us that cherished sin blocks fellowship with God. Practical checkpoints: • When another believer’s name comes up, do you feel a knot of anger or a wave of goodwill? • If the memory of an offense still stings, the heart needs cleansing through forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). Directly rebuke your neighbor Love does not stay silent while sin festers. Jesus gives the pattern: “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately” (Matthew 18:15). Paul advises, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Guidelines for a godly rebuke: • Go to the person, not around the person—no gossip (Proverbs 26:20). • Speak truthfully yet humbly, remembering your own need for mercy (Ephesians 4:15). • Aim for restoration, not humiliation (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). So that you will not incur guilt on account of him Silence can make us complicit. God told Ezekiel that failure to warn a sinner leaves the watchman liable for the sinner’s blood (Ezekiel 3:18-19). James echoes the principle: “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17). By addressing wrongdoing, we free ourselves from shared guilt and open a path for the other person’s repentance. Encouraging outcomes: • The relationship is cleared of hidden stumbling blocks (Romans 12:18). • The church family is protected from spreading harm (1 Corinthians 5:6). • God’s name is honored when truth and love walk together (Psalm 85:10). summary Leviticus 19:17 commands an inner attitude of love, an outward act of honest confrontation, and a mindful concern for shared righteousness. Refusing hatred, speaking truth in love, and guarding one another’s walk keep both hearts and community clean before the Lord. (17) Shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart.—From the outward acts denounced in the preceding verse, the legislator now passes to inward feelings. Whatever wrong our neighbour has inflicted upon us, we are not to harbour hatred against him.Thou shalt in any wise rebuke.—Better, thou shalt by all means, or thou shalt freely rebuke him. If he has done wrong he is to be reproved, and the wrong is to be brought home to him by expostulation. In illustration of this precept the Jewish canonists remark, “when any man sinneth against another he must not inwardly hate him and keep silence, as it is said of the wicked, ‘And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon’ (2Samuel 13:22); but he is commanded to make it known unto him, and to say, ‘Why hast thou done thus unto me?’” Similar is the admonition of Christ, “If thy brother sin against thee rebuke him, and if he repent forgive him” (Luke 17:3). And not suffer sin upon him.—Better so that thou bear not sin on his account. That is, by not reproving him, but harbouring inward hatred towards the offender, we not only become partakers of his offence, but incur the sin of bearing secret ill-will (Romans 1:32; Ephesians 4:26; 1Timothy 5:20... Verse 17. - On the one side we are not to hate our brother in our heart, whatever wrongs he may commit; but on the other side, we are in any wise to rebuke our neighbour for his wrong doing. So our Lord teaches, "if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him" (Luke 17:3); and he appoints a solemn mode of procedure, by which this fraternal rebuke is to be conveyed in his Church: "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church; but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" (Matthew 18:15-17). Therefore St. Paul warns his delegates, Timothy and Titus, "Them that sin rebuke before all" (1 Timothy 5:20). "Reprove, rebuke" (2 Timothy 4:2). "Rebuke them sharply" (Titus 1:13). "Rebuke with all authority" (Titus 2:15). By withholding reproof in a bitter spirit, or from a feeling of cowardice, we may become partakers of other men's sins. Whoever fails to rebuke his neighbour when he ought to do so, bears sin on his account (the more correct and less ambiguous rendering of the words translated in the Authorized Version, suffer sin upon him, cf. Numbers 18:22, 32). God's people are their brothers' keepers (Genesis 4:9).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You must notלֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no harbor hatred תִשְׂנָ֥א (ṯiś·nā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8130: To hate against your brother אָחִ֖יךָ (’ā·ḥî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) in your heart. בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ (bil·ḇā·ḇe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart Directly הוֹכֵ֤חַ (hō·w·ḵê·aḥ) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict rebuke תּוֹכִ֙יחַ֙ (tō·w·ḵî·aḥ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict your neighbor, עֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ (‘ă·mî·ṯe·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5997: Companionship, a comrade, kindred man so that you will not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no incur תִשָּׂ֥א (ṯiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take guilt חֵֽטְא׃ (ḥêṭ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2399: A crime, its penalty on account of him. עָלָ֖יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Additonal Resources Leviticus 19:17 Blue Letter BibleLeviticus 19:17 Bible Gateway Leviticus 19:17 Bible.com Leviticus 19:17 NIV |
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