Leviticus 19:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not harbor hatred; instead, confront sin lovingly to save your neighbor from guilt.
The Context of Leviticus 19:17
Calls for internal honesty and loving confrontation.
What Does Leviticus 19:17 Mean?
Hatred in the heart is an internal sin that poisons the self and the community. Yet confrontation requires care—the goal is not punishment but redemption. Rebuking someone is an act of love because it offers them the chance to repent and be freed from sin's weight.
By remaining silent when you see sin, you become complicit; you suffer the other person to remain in transgression. This is not love but indifference. True love speaks truth, even when difficult, because the neighbor's soul matters.
Leviticus 19:17 in the Original Language
tochach (תּוֹכַח), 'rebuke' — to reprove, correct; to bring someone to account with the aim of reconciliation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 19:17
What does Leviticus 19:17 mean?
Do not harbor hatred; instead, confront sin lovingly to save your neighbor from guilt.
What is the context of Leviticus 19:17?
Calls for internal honesty and loving confrontation.