Leviticus 19 11
Get the Leviticus 19:11 summary and meaning with expert commentary explained. Uncover biblical context and spiritual insights through detailed word analysis and cross-references.
Leviticus chapter 19 - The Holiness Manifesto
Leviticus 19 articulates a diverse collection of moral, social, and ritual laws that apply the command 'Be holy, for I am holy' to daily life. It covers everything from honoring parents and the Sabbath to leaving harvest corners for the poor and practicing honest business weights. This chapter proves that holiness is not confined to the Tabernacle but is expressed through justice, kindness, and social integrity.
Leviticus 19:11
ESV: "You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.
KJV: Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
NIV: "?'Do not steal. "?'Do not lie. "?'Do not deceive one another.
NKJV: 'You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
NLT: "Do not steal. "Do not deceive or cheat one another.
Meaning
Leviticus 19:11 commands God's people not to engage in stealing, dishonest dealings, or direct lying to one another. This tripartite prohibition is foundational for fostering integrity, trust, and truthfulness within the community, reflecting the holy character of God among His people and ensuring just and righteous interactions.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 20:15 | "You shall not steal." | 8th Commandment against theft |
| Exo 20:16 | "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." | 9th Commandment against lying |
| Deut 5:19 | "And you shall not steal." | Reiterates theft prohibition |
| Deut 5:20 | "Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor." | Reiterates false witness |
| Psa 34:13 | Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. | Abstinence from all deceit |
| Psa 101:7 | No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house. | Rejection of deceit |
| Pro 6:16-19 | The Lord hates a lying tongue, false witness, hands shedding innocent blood. | Abomination of lying |
| Pro 12:22 | Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. | God's disdain for lies |
| Pro 19:5 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. | Consequences of false witness |
| Jer 9:5 | Every one will deceive his neighbor; they will not speak the truth. | Widespread deceit condemned |
| Zec 8:16 | Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace. | Call for truth and justice |
| Zec 8:17 | Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath. | Prohibition of deceitful thoughts |
| Mal 3:5 | I will be a swift witness against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the orphan... who do not fear me. | Economic injustice and fraud |
| Matt 5:37 | Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. | Simplicity and honesty of speech |
| Rom 13:9 | The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal... You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." | Love as fulfillment of law |
| 1 Cor 6:10 | Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. | Those excluded by deceit |
| Eph 4:25 | Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. | Call to truth within community |
| Eph 4:28 | Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work... that he may have something to share... | Ethical labor instead of theft |
| Col 3:9 | Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices... | Renewed behavior, no lying |
| 1 Tim 1:10 | Law is for the sexually immoral, murderers... liars, perjurers... | Law applies to liars |
| Rev 21:8 | But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable... all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur... | Ultimate judgment for liars |
| Rom 3:4 | Let God be true though every one were a liar... | God's truthfulness contrasting human deceit |
| Luke 16:10 | "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." | Integrity in all matters |
Context
Leviticus 19 is a pivotal chapter within the "Holiness Code" (chapters 17-26) of the Book of Leviticus. This code emphasizes that Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh requires a comprehensive commitment to holiness, not just in ritual practice but in all aspects of daily life. The chapter begins with the foundational command, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Lev 19:2). This divine characteristic is the basis for the specific moral, ethical, and social laws that follow. Verse 11, prohibiting stealing, dealing falsely, and lying, directly addresses interpersonal ethics, ensuring that the internal relationships within the Israelite community reflect the truthfulness and righteousness of the God they worship. It defines holiness in practical terms for economic, social, and communicative interactions, setting Israel apart from the often deceptive practices of surrounding nations.
Word analysis
You shall not: This phrase initiates a strong, absolute prohibition, common in legal codes throughout the Bible. It denotes a direct, divine imperative against the stated actions.
steal (Hebrew: גָּנַב, ganav): This refers to the illicit taking of property that belongs to another. While often associated with overt theft, ganav can also encompass covert acts of misappropriation, deceitful taking, or any form of unlawful acquisition of another's possessions. It undermines private property rights and the fabric of economic trust.
nor deal falsely (Hebrew: כָּחַשׁ, kachash - specifically the Hifil form for "deal falsely" or "deny"): This term denotes denial, concealment, or acting deceptively, often implying a breach of trust or integrity in one's actions, especially in business dealings, testimony, or fulfilling obligations. It is broader than an outright spoken lie and can include suppressing truth, defrauding, or deceitfully denying what is due. This action can involve a denial of fact or reality that one knows to be true, making a false representation, or denying an oath.
nor lie (Hebrew: שָׁקַר, shaqar - often appearing as a derivative to mean "speak falsely" or "lie"): This specifically refers to speaking an untruth or communicating a falsehood. While "deal falsely" might encompass actions or subtle deceptions, shaqar directly points to the verbal act of knowingly distorting truth. It implies a direct verbal untruth communicated.
to one another (Hebrew: אִישׁ בַּעֲמִיתוֹ, ish ba'amito - "a man with his fellow/neighbor"): This phrase emphasizes that these prohibitions are not just abstract laws but apply directly to interpersonal relationships within the covenant community. It underscores the importance of honesty and trust in communal living, promoting a society where individuals can rely on the integrity of their neighbors. This specifies the ethical realm: not against abstract principles, but against specific people, emphasizing the relational harm caused by these sins.
Words-group analysis: The progression from "steal" to "deal falsely" to "lie" shows an escalating refinement of prohibited deceit, moving from overt physical appropriation to deceptive action to direct verbal untruth. Collectively, these commands ensure fundamental ethical principles: the right to property, the expectation of honesty in transactions, and the reliability of verbal communication. This trio underpins a righteous and trustworthy community. These are not merely separate prohibitions but intertwined aspects of integrity that maintain justice and peace within a holy nation.
Commentary
Leviticus 19:11 is a crucial part of God's blueprint for a holy community. It is deeply connected to the Decalogue (Exo 20, Deut 5), reiterating the Eighth Commandment (not stealing) and reflecting the Ninth (not bearing false witness/lying). The inclusion of "deal falsely" alongside "steal" and "lie" indicates that integrity must permeate every aspect of a person's life, from acquiring possessions to everyday speech and hidden motives. It's about establishing an atmosphere of unwavering honesty and transparency. Violations of these commands break the trust necessary for healthy social functioning and demonstrate a departure from God's character. Ultimately, the absence of truth and presence of deceit distances individuals from a holy God, who is Himself truth. Living by these commands builds a community founded on righteousness, echoing God's own holiness in their interactions. For instance, being truly honest when returning lost property, clearly disclosing all defects when selling goods, or refraining from gossip and slander.
Bonus section
The seemingly simple prohibitions in Leviticus 19:11 carry profound theological implications. They reflect the character of God Himself, who is truthful, just, and abhorrent of deceit. As His covenant people, Israel was called to reflect this character in their daily lives. These commands, therefore, are not merely legal stipulations but ethical imperatives rooted in divine nature. Transgression against these laws is not just a societal misdemeanor but an affront to God, who established these principles as foundational for walking in His ways. Furthermore, the progression from stealing to dealing falsely and lying also illustrates how sins against truth often stem from deeper heart issues, such as covetousness (leading to theft) or self-preservation (leading to deceit). The New Testament consistently reinforces these Old Testament principles, emphasizing inner transformation as the basis for outward honesty. It underscores that God requires not just the avoidance of overt acts of theft or lying, but a complete transformation of the heart that desires and loves truth in all things.
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