Leviticus 19:13

Authorized King James Version

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Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Original Language Analysis

לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעֲשֹׁ֥ק Thou shalt not defraud H6231
תַעֲשֹׁ֥ק Thou shalt not defraud
Strong's: H6231
Word #: 2 of 13
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֵֽעֲךָ֖ thy neighbour H7453
רֵֽעֲךָ֖ thy neighbour
Strong's: H7453
Word #: 4 of 13
an associate (more or less close)
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִגְזֹ֑ל neither rob H1497
תִגְזֹ֑ל neither rob
Strong's: H1497
Word #: 6 of 13
to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָלִ֞ין shall not abide H3885
תָלִ֞ין shall not abide
Strong's: H3885
Word #: 8 of 13
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
פְּעֻלַּ֥ת him the wages H6468
פְּעֻלַּ֥ת him the wages
Strong's: H6468
Word #: 9 of 13
(abstractly) work
שָׂכִ֛יר of him that is hired H7916
שָׂכִ֛יר of him that is hired
Strong's: H7916
Word #: 10 of 13
a man who is hired by the day or year
אִתְּךָ֖ H854
אִתְּךָ֖
Strong's: H854
Word #: 11 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 12 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּֽקֶר׃ with thee all night until the morning H1242
בֹּֽקֶר׃ with thee all night until the morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 13 of 13
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

Cross References

James 5:4Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.Proverbs 20:10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.Jeremiah 22:3Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.Jeremiah 22:13Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;Mark 10:19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.Exodus 22:21Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.Exodus 22:15But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.Ezekiel 22:29The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

Analysis & Commentary

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

This verse falls within the section on Various Laws of Holiness. Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18).


The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

Historical Context

Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18). Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Questions for Reflection

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