Leviticus 19:18 Meaning: Who Is My Neighbor?
“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
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.
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.
`Thou dost not take vengeance, nor watch the sons of thy people; and thou hast had love to thy neighbour as thyself; I am Jehovah.
Thou shalt not avenge thyself, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Leviticus 19:18 commands love for neighbor as self. Learn the original context, what 'neighbor' means, and how Jesus expanded this ancient law.
Context
Leviticus 19 is part of the Holiness Code, a collection of laws calling Israel to be holy as God is holy. This verse sits in a group of commands about how to treat other people fairly, not stealing, not lying, not oppressing the poor, not slandering, not hating. The section leading up to verse 18 includes the command to rebuke your neighbor rather than hate him. Then comes the double prohibition: do not take vengeance, do not bear a grudge. Instead, love your neighbor as yourself. The chapter repeatedly reminds Israel that these commands come from God: 'I am the Lord.'
Key Words
The Hebrew word for 'take vengeance' is naqam. It means to get even, to pay back hurt for hurt. The law does not just forbid the act of revenge; it forbids the desire that starts it. The word for 'bear any grudge' is natar. It literally means to keep or guard something, holding onto an injury in your heart long after the event. You keep it, and it keeps you. Then comes the positive: ahav, love. In Hebrew, this is an action word. It is what you do for someone, not just what you feel about them. The standard is 'as yourself.' That is not a call to equal affection but to equal care: wanting for them what you want for yourself.
How Christians Read This Verse
The word 'neighbor' (rea) in this verse originally referred to fellow Israelites, 'the children of your people.' Many early Jewish teachers understood it that way. Yet the surrounding chapter also commands love for the foreigner living among you (verse 34). Christian tradition has read this verse in light of Jesus' teaching. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus expands 'neighbor' to include anyone in need, even an enemy. The apostle Paul quotes this command as summarizing all the moral law (Romans 13:9). Historic Christian teaching now holds that love for neighbor extends to all people, regardless of ethnicity or status.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that this verse only forbids outward acts of vengeance. In fact, the command goes much deeper. It also prohibits holding a grudge, the inward seething that does not act but refuses to let go. Jesus picks up this same point in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching that anger itself is a form of murder (Matthew 5:21-22). The law reaches all the way to the heart.
Living This Out
This week, you might have a chance to prove you have stored up a grudge. Someone cuts you off in traffic, speaks sharply to you, or forgets a promise. Your first thought is to even the score. The command here invites you to stop before you act. Ask yourself: Am I holding something against this person that I will not let go? Then do the harder thing: wish them well. Love as yourself. It does not mean you become a doormat. It means you refuse to let their offense define your response. You hand the weight to God, who alone judges rightly.
Main takeaway: God commands us to put away revenge and grudges, and to actively love others with the same care we give ourselves.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God says we should not get back at people who hurt us. Instead, we should love them the way we love ourselves. That means treating them the way we want to be treated.
For ages 9, 12
Holding a grudge is like carrying a heavy rock everywhere. This verse tells us to put that rock down. God does not want us to keep score of wrongs. He wants us to let go and do good to people who have hurt us. That is hard, but He gives us the strength to do it because He is our Lord.
Questions People Ask
Does 'neighbor' in Leviticus 19:18 mean everyone or just fellow Israelites?
The original context uses 'neighbor' to mean fellow Israelites, as the phrase 'children of your people' shows. But the same chapter also commands love for foreigners (verse 34). Jesus later taught that 'neighbor' includes anyone in need, even enemies. Christians now understand this as a command to love all people.
What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
It does not mean you must feel the same affection for everyone. It means you should care for your neighbor's well-being as naturally as you care for your own. You want food, safety, and respect for yourself; you actively seek those things for others. This is practical love, not just feelings.
Is it ever right to seek vengeance according to the Bible?
Private vengeance, paying back an offense yourself, is consistently forbidden. God reserves the right to judge and repay (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19). He has appointed governments and judges to carry out justice for the common good, but individuals are called to leave vengeance to Him.
How does this verse connect to the command to love your enemies?
In the Old Testament, the command to love your neighbor did not explicitly include enemies. But surrounding passages show care for enemies (Exodus 23:4-5). Jesus makes the connection clear in Matthew 5:44, commanding love for enemies. So the 'neighbor' in Leviticus 19:18 is ultimately fulfilled when we love even those who oppose us.
What is the difference between a grudge and justice?
A grudge is personal: you hold onto an injury and want the other person to suffer. Justice is impartial and aims to set things right. The law forbids holding a grudge because that poisons your heart and leads to revenge. Seeking justice through proper authorities is different from nurturing resentment.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study