Tree of Life Version
Leviticus 19:16
16“You are not to go up and down as a talebearer among your people. You are not to endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Adonai.
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
14“You are not to curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am Adonai. 15“You are to do no injustice in judgment. You are not to be partial toward the poor nor show favoritism toward the great, but you are to judge your neighbor with fairness. “You are not to go up and down as a talebearer among your people. You are not to endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Adonai. 17“You are not to hate your brother in your heart. Instead, you are to firmly rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18You are not to take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am Adonai.
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“Do not to spread a false report. Do not join hands with the wicked by becoming a malicious witness.
- Psalms 15:3who does not slander with his tongue, does not wrong his neighbor, and does not disgrace his friend,
- Proverbs 11:13A gossip reveals secrets, but one who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
- Proverbs 20:19A talebearer goes about, revealing secrets, so do not associate with a babbler.
- Jeremiah 6:28They are all stubborn rebels spreading slander. They are bronze and iron, all of them are corrupt.
- Jeremiah 9:4Everyone deceives his neighbor and does not speak the truth. They taught their tongue to speak lies. They wear themselves out doing wrong.
- Ezekiel 22:9Slanderous men are in you in order to shed blood. They have eaten at the mountain shrines; they commit immoral acts in your midst.
- 1 Timothy 3:11Women likewise must be dignified, not backbiting; clear-minded, trustworthy in every respect.
- 2 Timothy 3:3hardhearted, unforgiving, backbiting, without self-control, brutal, hating what is good,
- 1 Peter 2:1So get rid of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all lashon ha-ra .
- Exodus 20:16“Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- 1 Kings 21:10Then seat two sons of Belial before him, and let them testify against him saying, ‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
- Matthew 26:60But they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward
- Matthew 27:4saying, “I’ve sinned, betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What’s that to us? You see to it yourself!”
- Acts 6:11Then they secretly instigated men into saying, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God!”
- Acts 24:4“But in order that I may not weary you any longer, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
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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