Deuteronomy 10:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel must love and protect foreigners because they themselves experienced the vulnerability of being aliens in Egypt.
The Context of Deuteronomy 10:19
A command to treat strangers with love, grounded in Israel's own experience of displacement.
What Does Deuteronomy 10:19 Mean?
This command draws a direct line between Israel's past suffering and their present obligation. Having known the powerlessness of being outsiders in Egypt, Israel cannot excuse indifference to strangers in their midst. Empathy rooted in shared vulnerability becomes a moral imperative.
The appeal to memory is profound: Israel's liberation from Egypt was not earned by national superiority but granted by divine mercy. That same mercy must now flow from Israel toward the foreigner. Love of the stranger is thus a way of gratitude and imitation of God's character.
Deuteronomy 10:19 in the Original Language
stranger (גֵּר, ger) — a foreigner or resident alien living within Israel's borders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 10:19
What does Deuteronomy 10:19 mean?
Israel must love and protect foreigners because they themselves experienced the vulnerability of being aliens in Egypt.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 10:19?
A command to treat strangers with love, grounded in Israel's own experience of displacement.