Leviticus 25:43

43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.

Leviticus 25:43 in Other Translations

KJV
43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
ESV
43 You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
NLT
43 Show your fear of God by not treating them harshly.
MSG
43 Don't tyrannize them; fear your God.
CSB
43 You are not to rule over them harshly but fear your God.

Leviticus 25:43 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 25:43

Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour
As the Egyptians ruled over the Israelites, and made them to serve, ( Exodus 1:13 ) ; where the same word is used as here, and seems designed to put them in mind of it, that so they might abstain from such usage of their brethren, which they had met with from their most cruel enemies; it signifies tyranny and oppression, treating them with great severity, laying hard and heavy tasks and burdens upon them they could not bear; enjoining them things they could not perform, and ordering them to do what were unnecessary, and without any limitation with respect to time: but shalt fear thy God;
that has been good to thee, and has brought thee out of hard and rigorous bondage in Egypt; and which should be remembered with thankfulness, and they should fear to offend so good a God by using a brother cruelly.

Leviticus 25:43 In-Context

41 Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors.
42 Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves.
43 Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
44 “ ‘Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves.
45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Exodus 1:13; Ezekiel 34:4; Colossians 4:1
  • 2. S Genesis 42:18
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