New King James Version
Leviticus 19:16
16You 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.
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 Living Translation (NLT)“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
Context of Leviticus 19:16
14You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord. 15‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. 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. 17‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor 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 circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
- Psalms 15:3He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
- Proverbs 11:13A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
- Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
- Jeremiah 6:28They are all stubborn rebels, walking as slanderers. They are bronze and iron, They are all corrupters;
- Jeremiah 9:4“Everyone take heed to his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; For every brother will utterly supplant, And every neighbor will walk with slanderers.
- Ezekiel 22:9In you are men who slander to cause bloodshed; in you are those who eat on the mountains; in your midst they commit lewdness.
- 1 Timothy 3:11Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
- 2 Timothy 3:3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
- 1 Peter 2:1Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
- Exodus 20:16“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- 1 Kings 21:10and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, “You have blasphemed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.
- Matthew 26:60but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
- Matthew 27:4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
- Acts 6:11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
- Acts 24:4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries