Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany A

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The LordI spokeII to Moses,III saying:IV

Notes on verse 1

I “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
II “spoke” = dabar. This is generally to speak, answer, declare, or command. It might mean to arrange and so to speak in a figurative sense as arranging words.
III “Moses” = Mosheh. From mashah (to pull out in a literal or figurative sense, to draw out) OR from Egyptian mes or mesu (child, son i.e. child of…). This is Moses – the one drawn out from the water, which is to say, rescued. If derived from the Egyptian, his name would share a root with Rameses and Thutmose.
IV “saying” = amar. This is to speak, say, answer, command, promise, report.

“Speak to allV the congregationVI of the IsraelitesVII

Notes on verse 2a

V “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
VI “congregation” = edah. From yaad (to appoint, assemble or gather selves, agree) OR from ed (witness, testimony, recorder); from ud (to admonish, repeat, duplicate, testify, restore, record, relieve). This is a congregation, assembly, or company. It could be a family, crowd, or fixture.
VII “Israelites” = ben + Yisrael. Literally, “children of Israel.” Ben is from banah (to build or obtain children). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense. Yisrael is from sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + El (God or god). This is Israel, meaning God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring. This refers to the people and to the land.

and say to them: You shall beVIII holy,IX for I the Lord your GodX am holy. 

Notes on verse 2b

VIII “be” = hayah. Related to “Lord” in v1. See note I above.
IX “holy” = qadosh. From qodesh (set apart and so sacred; God is different from us and so God is holy/set apart; things we dedicate to God’s service are set apart for God and so they, too, are holy); related to qadash (set apart, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified; something or someone set apart for a holy purpose or use – ceremonially or morally clean). This is sacred or holy in a ritual or moral sense. As a noun, it refers to a holy one (like a saint or angel), a holy place (the sanctuary), or God (the Holy One).
X “God” = Elohim. Related to “Israel” in v2. See note VII above.

“When you reapXI the harvestXII of your land,XIII

Notes on verse 9a

XI “reap” = qatsar. This is to cut down, be short, reap, curtail. It is used especially for harvesting grass or grain. Figuratively, it can mean to be discouraged or grieve.
XII “harvest” = qatsir. Related to “reap” in v9. From qatsar (see note XI above). This is branch, harvest, one who harvests. Properly, this means severed, reaped. It is the crop being harvested, the time of harvest or the one who harvests. It can also be a bough.
XIII “land” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.

you shall not reap to the very edgesXIV of your fieldXV or gatherXVI the gleaningsXVII of your harvest. 

Notes on verse 9b

XIV “very edges” = kalah + peah. Kalah is to end, be finished, complete, prepare, consume, spent, or completely destroyed. Peah is from paah (to puff, scatter, cut in pieces) OR poh (here, side). This is a side, edge, region, temple, corner.
XV “field” = sadeh. From the same as shadday (almighty, field, land); from shadad (to devastate, ruin, destroy, oppress, be powerful). Or, it may be from a word that means to spread out. This is field, ground, soil, or land. It can be used to mean wild as in a wild animal.
XVI “gather” = laqat. Related to “gleanings” in v9. See note XVII below.
XVII “gleanings” = leqet. 2x in OT– both in Leviticus. From laqat (to pick up, glean, gather). This is a gleaning.

10 You shall not strip your vineyardXVIII bareXIX or gather the fallen grapesXX of your vineyard; you shall leaveXXI them for the poorXXII and the alien:XXIII I am the LordXXIV your God.

Notes on verse 10

XVIII “vineyard” = kerem. This is a vineyard, garden, vines, or a vintage.
XIX “strip…bare” = alal. 19x in OT. This is to affect, abuse, mistreat, impose, practice, glean, defile.
XX “fallen grapes” = peret. 1x in OT. From parat (to divide, chant, hum). This is something broken off. So it could be a stray grape or berry.
XXI “leave” = azab. To loosen, relinquish, permit, forsake, fail, leave destitute.
XXII “poor” = ani. From anah (to be bowed down; humility or being browbeaten, oppressed, afflicted, or depressed; literal or figurative – depressed in mood or circumstance). This is humble, lowly, poor, or afflicted.
XXIII “alien” = ger. From gur (to abide or sojourn; to leave the road to lodge or for any other reason). This is sojourner, guest, stranger, foreigner.
XXIV “Lord” = YHVH. Related to “Lord” in v1 & “be” in v2. From the same as YHVH (see note I above). This is a secondary spelling of the Lord, the name of the God of Israel. It has the same meaning.

11 “You shall not steal;XXV you shall not deal falsely;XXVI and you shall not lieXXVII to oneXXVIII another.XXIX 

Notes on verse 11

XXV “steal” = ganab. This is to steal in a stealthy way rather than through violence. It can also mean to deceive. There is a Yiddish word ganef that derives from this root. It means thief or scoundrel.
XXVI “deal falsely” = kachash. This is deceive, fail, or deny. It can be lying or disappointing. It can also mean becoming lean or cringe.
XXVII “lie” = shaqar. 6x in OT. From sheqer (deception, lie, disappointment, or thing that is vain). This is to deal falsely, generally to lie. It can be to cheat, but it usually refer to lying words.
XXVIII “one” = ish. Perhaps from enosh (human, humankind, mortal); from anash (to be weak, sick, or frail). This is man, husband, another, or humankind.
XXIX “another” = amit. 12x in OT– 11x in Leviticus & 1x in Zechariah. Root may mean to associate. This is a companion, associate, relation, or neighbor.

12 And you shall not swearXXX falselyXXXI by my name,XXXII profaningXXXIII the name of your God: I am the Lord.XXXIV

Notes on verse 12

XXX “swear” = shaba. From sheba (seven – the number of perfection/sacred fullness). This is to swear, curse, vow, make a covenant. Properly, it can mean to be complete. This is to seven oneself – as in affirming something so strongly it is as though it were said seven times.
XXXI “falsely” = sheqer. Related to “lie” in v11. See note XXVII above.
XXXII “name” = shem. May be from sum (to put, place, set). This is name, fame, renown. A name was thought to indicate something essential about a person – something about their individuality. So, this word can also mean honor, authority, or character.
XXXIII “profaning” = chalal. This is to pierce, which implies to wound. It is used figuratively for making someone or something profane or breaking your word. It can also mean to begin as though one opened a wedge. Also, to eat something as a common thing.
XXXIV “Lord” = YHVH. Same as “Lord” in v1. See note I above.

13 “You shall not defraudXXXV your neighbor;XXXVI you shall not steal;XXXVII

Notes on verse 13a

XXXV “defraud” = ashaq. This is to wrong, deceive, violate, or use oppression.
XXXVI “neighbor” = rea. From raah (to associate with). This is the same as neighbor in Leviticus 19:18 “love your neighbor as yourself.” This is friend, companion, fellow, neighbor. It is someone with whom you associate, whether more or less close.
XXXVII “steal” = gazal. This is snatch, take violently, seize, tear away. It can also mean flay or rob.

and you shall not keepXXXVIII for yourself the wagesXXXIX of a laborerXL until morning.XLI 

Notes on verse 13b

XXXVIII “keep” = lun. This is to stop – usually to lodge for the night. It can imply dwelling, enduring, or staying permanently. Figuratively, it can mean being obstinate, particularly with one’s words – to complain.
XXXIX “wages” = peullah. 14x in OT. From paal (to do, make, work, or accomplish; generally refers to regularly repeated or systematic action – to practice). This is work, deed, reward, or wages.
XL “laborer” = sakir. 17x in OT. From sakar (to hire, earn). This is someone who earns a wage, a laborer. It could be one a day by day basis or for a longer term.
XLI “morning” = boqer. From baqar (to seek, plow, break forth, admire, care for). This refers to the break of day. So it is dawn, early, morning, or morrow.

14 You shall not revileXLII the deafXLIII or putXLIV a stumbling blockXLV

Notes on verse 14a

XLII “revile” = qalal. This is to be little, insignificant, swift. It can also mean to bring down in esteem, create contempt, curse.
XLIII “deaf” = cheresh. 9x in OT. From charash (to scratch, which implies etching or plowing; to manufacture regardless of materials used; figuratively, to devise or conceal; secrecy – hence, being silent, left alone, or speechless). This is deaf or a someone who is deaf in a literal or figurative sense.
XLIV “put” = natan. This is to give, put, set, offer. It is to give literally or figuratively.
XLV “stumbling block” = mikshol. 14x in OT. From kashal (to stumble, fail, be weak or decayed, be overthrown, to totter; weak legs or ankles so to falter, faint, or fall). This is a stumbling or something that causes one to stumble like an obstacle literal or figurative.  It can also refer to an offense, an idol, or to ruin.

beforeXLVI the blind;XLVII you shall fearXLVIII your God: I am the Lord.XLIX

Notes on verse 14b

XLVI “before” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
XLVII “blind” = ivver. From avar (to blind, put out). This is blindness or someone who is blind. It can be used literally or figuratively.
XLVIII “fear” = yare. This is to fear, be afraid, dreadful. It can also refer to fearful reverence – to fear in a moral sense is to say to revere, respect.
XLIX “Lord” = YHVH. Same as “Lord” in v1. See note I above.

15 “You shall not renderL an unjustLI judgment;LII

Notes on verse 15a

L “render” = asah. This is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses.
LI “unjust” = evel. Perhaps from aval (to deal unjustly, act in a wrongful way, a wrongdoer). This is injustice, wrong, moral evil, acts of violence, or unrighteousness.
LII “judgment” = mishpat. From shaphat (to judge, defend, pronounce judgment, condemn, govern). This is a verdict or formal sentence whether from humans or from God. It includes the act of judging as well as the place that judging takes place, the suit itself, and the penalty. Abstractly, this is justice, which includes the rights of the participants.

you shall not be partial toLIII theLIV poorLV or deferLVI

Notes on verse 15b

LIII “be partial to” = nasa. This is to lift in a broad sense, literally and figuratively. So it could be to carry, take, or arise. It could also be bring forth, advance, accept.
LIV {untranslated} = paneh. Same as “before” in v14. See note XLVI above.
LV “poor” = dal. From dalal (to be low, hang, fade, be emptied, become poor, be oppressed). This is lean, weak, needy, poor. Properly, it is one who is dangling.
LVI “defer” = hadar. 7x in OT. This may mean to swell in a literal or figurative sense. So, it could be honor, pride, respected, to adorn, claim honor. It could also refer to crooked or rough terrain. Additionally, it can refer to showing partiality or deference.

to theLVII great:LVIII with justiceLIX you shall judgeLX your neighbor.LXI 

Notes on verse 15c

LVII {untranslated} = paneh. Same as “before” in v14. See note XLVI above.
LVIII “great” = gadol. From gadal (to grow up, become great, become wealthy – to advance. The root meaning may be to twist in the sense of the process of growing). This is great, high, bigger, noble, old, marvelous. It can also refer to someone who is powerful or distinguished.
LIX “justice” = tsedeq. This is rightness, righteousness, vindication. It is everything that is just or ethical. That which is right in a natural, moral, or legal sense. It also includes just weights (i.e. true weights). Figuratively, this is justice, righteousness, equity – even prosperity.
LX “judge” = shaphat. Related to “judgment” in v15. See note LII above.
LXI “neighbor” = amit. Same as “another” in v11. See note XXIX above.

16 You shall not go aroundLXII as a slandererLXIII among your people,LXIV

Notes on verse 16a

LXII “go around” = halak. This is go, come, walk. It is walk literally and figuratively and includes people and animals. It can be used figuratively for one’s moral life – how we walk according to God’s way or against it. It can also refer to the walk of life as in the course one’s life takes, the choices we make, etc.
LXIII “slanderer” = rakil. 6x in OT. From rakal (to travel around, especially to trade; so, a merchant or trader; also trade itself). This is slander or one who slanders – a gossip or scandal-monger who goes from place to place.
LXIV “people” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.

and you shall not standLXV idly by when the bloodLXVI of your neighborLXVII is at stake: I am the Lord.LXVIII

Notes on verse 16b

LXV “stand” = amad. This is to stand up in a literal or figurative sense. So it can be establish, continue, endure, take a stand, act, be a servant, stand still, remain, stand against an enemy.
LXVI “blood” = dam. Perhaps from damam (to cease, be or become mute, silent, still, cut off, hold peace, be astonished, die). This is blood, bloodshed, bloodguilt, lifeblood, and death. It is used for people and animals. More often blood from a wound or the blood of the innocent. Used figuratively for violence or for wine. Closely tied to life and death.
LXVII “neighbor” = rea. Same as “neighbor” in v13. See note XXXVI above.
LXVIII “Lord” = YHVH. Same as “Lord” in v1. See note I above.

17 “You shall not hateLXIX in your heartLXX anyone of your kin;LXXI

Notes on verse 17a

LXIX “hate” = sane. This is to hate, an enemy. It is a personal hatred and not an abstract one.
LXX “heart” = lebab. May be related to labab (to encourage; properly, to be encased as with fat; used in a good sense, this means to transport someone with love; used in a bad sense, it can mean to dull one’s senses). This is the heart, courage, one’s inner self, the mind, or the will. Heart is only used in a figurative sense in the Old and New Testaments.
LXXI “kin” = ach. This is brother, kindred, another, other, like. It is literally brother, but it can also be someone who is similar, resembling, or related to.

you shall reproveLXXII your neighbor,LXXIII or you will incurLXXIV guiltLXXV yourself. 

Notes on verse 17b

LXXII “reprove” = yakach + yakach. This is to decide, be right, argue, or convince. It can also be to decide, convict, reason together, or reprove. The word is repeated twice – the first time as an Infinitive Absolute. The Infinitive Absolute serves to emphasize the sentiment of the word. It is rather like Foghorn Leghorn’s speech pattern, “I said, I said.”
LXXIII “neighbor” = amit. Same as “another” in v11. See note XXIX above.
LXXIV “incur” = nasa. Same as “be partial to” in v15. See note LIII above.
LXXV “guilt” = chet. From chata (to miss, sin, bear blame, to forfeit, lack). This is sin, fault, or punishment of sin.

18 You shall not take vengeanceLXXVI or bear a grudgeLXXVII against any of your people,LXXVIII but you shall loveLXXIX your neighborLXXX as yourself: I am the Lord.LXXXI

Notes on verse 18

LXXVI “take vengeance” = naqam. This is to avenge, punish, have a grudge, execute.
LXXVII “bear a grudge” = natar. 9x in OT. This is to guard, keep, reserve, take care of. Figuratively, it could be to keep a grudge or hold on to anger.
LXXVIII “people” = ben + am. Literally, “the children of your people.” Ben is the same as “Israelites” in v2. See note VII above. Am is the same as “people” in v16. See note LXIV above.
LXXIX “love” = aheb. This is to love, beloved, friend. It is to have affection for sexually or otherwise.
LXXX “neighbor” = rea. Same as “neighbor” in v13. See note XXXVI above.
LXXXI “Lord” = YHVH. Same as “Lord” in v1. See note I above.


Image credit: Detail of mosaics at the Mount of Beatitudes: “Ruth.” Photo by deror_avi, 2011.

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