Amplified Bible
Leviticus 19:16
16You shall not go around as a gossip among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor [with slander or false testimony]; I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.
- New International Version (NIV)“ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “ ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.
- English Standard Version (ESV)You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
- New King James Version (NKJV)You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
Context of Leviticus 19:16
14You shall not curse a deaf man nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God [with profound reverence]; I am the Lord. 15‘You shall not do injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor show a preference for the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. You shall not go around as a gossip among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor [with slander or false testimony]; I am the Lord. 17‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you may most certainly rebuke your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. 18You shall not take revenge nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor (acquaintance, associate, companion) as yourself; I am the Lord.
Read all of Leviticus 19Leviticus 19:16 word by word
לֹא־תֵלֵ֤ךְ רָכִיל֙ בְּעַמֶּ֔יךָ לֹ֥א תַעֲמֹ֖ד עַל־דַּ֣ם רֵעֶ֑ךָ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Leviticus 19:16
- Exodus 23:1“You shall not give a false report; you shall not join hands with the wicked to be a malicious witness [promoting wrong and violence].
- Psalms 15:3He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
- Proverbs 11:13He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.
- Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters].
- Jeremiah 6:28They are all the worst [kind] of [stiff-necked, godless] rebels, Going around spreading slander. They are [not gold and silver ore, but] bronze and iron; They are all corrupt.
- Jeremiah 9:4“Let everyone beware of his neighbor And do not trust any brother. For every brother is a supplanter [like Jacob, a deceiver, ready to grab his brother’s heel], And every neighbor goes around as a slanderer.
- Ezekiel 22:9In you are men who slander for the purpose of shedding blood, and in your presence they have eaten [food offered to idols] at the mountain shrines; in your midst they have committed acts of lewdness.
- 1 Timothy 3:11Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things.
- 2 Timothy 3:3[and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good,
- 1 Peter 2:1So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander and hateful speech;
- Exodus 20:16“You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).
- 1 Kings 21:10and seat two worthless and unprincipled men opposite him, and have them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
- Matthew 26:60They found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward,
- Matthew 27:4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They replied, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!”
- Acts 6:11Then [to attack him another way] they secretly instructed men to say, “We have heard this man [Stephen] speak blasphemous (slanderous, sacrilegious, abusive) words against Moses and against God.”
- Acts 24:4But so that I do not weary you further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.
Commentaries on Leviticus 19:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer - רכיל rachil signifies a trader, a peddler, and is here applied to the person who travels about dealing in scandal and calumny, getting the secrets of every person and family, and retailing them wherever he goes. A more despicable character exists not: such a person is a pest to society, and should be exiled from the habitations of men. Neither shalt thou stand against the blood, etc. - Thou shalt not be as…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Stand against the blood of thy neighbor - Either, to put his life in danger by standing up as his accuser (compare Matthew 26:60); or, to stand by idly when thy neighbor‘s life is in danger. Whichever interpretation we adopt, the clause prohibits that which might interfere with the course of justice.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16You must not go about spreading slander: Imagine a merchant who trades in damaging rumors and accusations. This behavior quickly weakens the valued community spirit in Israel (see Proverbs 11:13; 16:28; 20:19; 26:20; 2 Corinthians 12:20).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-1611-16. Ye shall not steal--A variety of social duties are inculcated in this passage, chiefly in reference to common and little-thought-of vices to which mankind are exceedingly prone; such as committing petty frauds, or not scrupling to violate truth in transactions of business, ridiculing bodily infirmities, or circulating stories to the prejudice of others. In opposition to these bad habits, a spirit of humanity and brotherly kindness is strongly…Read the comment
Topics related to Leviticus 19:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Leviticus 19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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