Leviticus 19:15

15 “ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

Leviticus 19:15 in Other Translations

15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

15 "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

15 “Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

15 "Don't pervert justice. Don't show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.

15 "You must not act unjustly when rendering judgment. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.

Leviticus 19:15 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 19:15

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment
This is said with respect to judges and witnesses, as Aben Ezra notes; that the one should not bear false witness in a court of judicature to the perversion of justice, and the other should not pronounce an unrighteous sentence, justifying the wicked and condemning the righteous:

thou shalt not respect the person of the poor;
that is, in judgment, or in a court of judicature, when a cause of his is brought before it; though privately his person may be respected, and he relieved in his distress as a poor man; but in a court of justice his person and character as a poor man are not to be regarded; the cause is not to be given either for him or against him on that account, without regard to the justice and equity of it; he may be pitied in other respects but in a cause between him and another, even a rich man, not pity, but justice, must take place, (See Gill on Exodus 23:3):

nor honour the person of the mighty;
not fear to put him to shame and blushing, by giving the cause against him, if he is in the wrong; his riches, his grandeur, his honour, must not came into any account, or have any weight or influence on the court to pervert justice: the Jewish writers, particularly Maimonides ^F26 suggest that there was to be no difference between a rich man and a poor man while their cause was trying; that they were to be clothed either both in a rich habit, or both in a mean one; and that their posture was to be alike, whether sitting or standing; as well as that no favour should be shown to one more than to another; as that one might have liberty to speak as much and as long as he pleased, and the other bid to be short; or the one be spoken tenderly to, and the other harshly:

[but] in righteousness shall thou judge thy neighbour;
be he rich or poor, doing justice to both, and showing no partiality to either; see ( Proverbs 18:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Hilchot Sanhedrin, c. 21. sect. 1, 2, 3.

Leviticus 19:15 In-Context

13 “ ‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “ ‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.

14 “ ‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.

15 “ ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

16 “ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “ ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.

17 “ ‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 23:2; Exodus 23:2,6
• 2. Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 24:17; Job 13:8,10; Job 32:21; Proverbs 28:21
• 3. Job 34:19
• 4. S Exodus 23:8; Proverbs 24:23; Malachi 2:9; James 2:1-4