New English Translation
Leviticus 25:43
43You must not rule over him harshly, but you must fear your God.
Leviticus 25:43 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
- New International Version (NIV)Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
- English Standard Version (ESV)You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)You shall not rule over him with rigor, but you shall fear your God.
Context of Leviticus 25:43
41but then he may go free, he and his children with him, and may return to his family and to the property of his ancestors. 42Since they are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt, they must not be sold in a slave sale. You must not rule over him harshly, but you must fear your God. 44“‘As for your male and female slaves who may belong to you – you may buy male and female slaves from the nations all around you. 45Also you may buy slaves from the children of the foreigners who reside with you, and from their families that are with you, whom they have fathered in your land, they may become your property.
Read all of Leviticus 25Leviticus 25:43 word by word
לֹא־תִרְדֶּ֥ה ב֖וֹ בְּפָ֑רֶךְ וְיָרֵ֖אתָ מֵאֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Leviticus 25:43
- Leviticus 25:46You may give them as inheritance to your children after you to possess as property. You may enslave them perpetually. However, as for your brothers the Israelites, no man may rule over his brother harshly.
- Exodus 1:13and they made the Israelites serve rigorously.
- Exodus 2:23During that long period of time the king of Egypt died, and the Israelites groaned because of the slave labor. They cried out, and their desperate cry because of their slave labor went up to God.
- Exodus 3:7The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
- Exodus 5:14The Israelite foremen whom Pharaoh’s slave masters had set over them were beaten and were asked, “Why did you not complete your requirement for brickmaking as in the past – both yesterday and today?”
- Isaiah 47:6I was angry at my people; I defiled my special possession and handed them over to you. You showed them no mercy; you even placed a very heavy burden on old people.
- Isaiah 58:3They lament, ‘Why don’t you notice when we fast? Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’ Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, you oppress your workers.
- Ephesians 6:9Masters, treat your slaves the same way, giving up the use of threats, because you know that both you and they have the same master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
- Colossians 4:1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.
- Leviticus 25:17No one is to oppress his fellow citizen, but you must fear your God, because I am the Lord your God.
- Exodus 1:17But the midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.
- Deuteronomy 25:18how they met you along the way and cut off all your stragglers in the rear of the march when you were exhausted and tired; they were unafraid of God.
- Malachi 3:5“I will come to you in judgment. I will be quick to testify against those who practice divination, those who commit adultery, those who break promises, and those who exploit workers, widows, and orphans, who refuse to help the immigrant and in this way show they do not fear me,” says the Lord who rules over all.
Commentaries on Leviticus 25:43
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 43Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor - What is rigorous service? "Service which is not determined, and service whereof there is no need." This is the definition given by the Jews; but much more is implied in this command than is expressed here. Labour beyond the person's strength, or labor too long continued, or in unhealthy or uncomfortable places and circumstances, or without sufficient food, etc., is labor exacted with rigour, and consequently…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 43Fear thy God - Yahweh was the Lord and Master of His people. To treat a Hebrew as a slave was therefore to interfere with the rights of Yahweh. Compare Romans 14:4.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 39-55Verses 39-55 A native Israelite, if sold for debt, or for a crime, was to serve but six years, and to go out the seventh. If he sold himself, through poverty, both his work and his usage must be such as were fitting for a son of Abraham. Masters are required to give to their servants that which is just and equal, Col 4:1. At the year of jubilee the servant should go out free, he and his children, and should return to his own family. This typified…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 43God created human beings in his image (Genesis 1:26, 27; Proverbs 14:31; 17:5). Fellow Israelites were in a covenant with God. So, even bondservants must receive respect. God's law includes many rules to protect them (see Exodus 21:20, 26–27). Everyone must treat others in a way that shows reverence for God (see Proverbs 14:31; 17:5; James 2:14–16; 3:9–10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 39-4639-46. if thy brother ... be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee, thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bond-servant--An Israelite might be compelled, through misfortune, not only to mortgage his inheritance, but himself. In the event of his being reduced to this distress, he was to be treated not as a slave, but a hired servant whose engagement was temporary, and who might, through the friendly aid of a relative, be redeemed at any time before the…Read the comment
Topics related to Leviticus 25:43
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Leviticus 25
- 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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