Leviticus - 24:22



22 You shall have one kind of law, for the foreigner as well as the native-born: for I am Yahweh your God.'"

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Leviticus 24:22.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.
Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the sojourner, as for the home-born: for I am Jehovah your God.
Let there be equal judgment among you, whether he be a stranger, or a native that offends: because I am the Lord your God.
Ye shall have one law: as the stranger, so the home-born; for I am Jehovah your God.
one judgment is to you; as a sojourner so is a native; for I am Jehovah your God.'
You are to have the same law for a man of another nation living among you as for an Israelite; for I am the Lord your God.
Let there be equal judgment among you, whether it is a sojourner or a citizen who will have sinned. For I am the Lord your God.
Judicium unum erit vobis, sicut peregrinus sic et indigena erit: quia ego Jehova Deus vester.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Ye shall have one manner of law. That the people of Israel, with their usual arrogance, might not suppose the race of Abraham only to be privileged, the Law is extended also to foreigners; and thus God shows that the whole body of the human race are under His care, so that He would not have those that are farthest off exposed to the licentious violence of the ungodly. In other points tie provided special privileges for His elect people; but here, because He created all men without exception after His own image, He takes them under His care and protection, so that none might injure them with impunity.

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger as for one of your own country - Equal laws, where each individual receives the same protection and the same privileges, are the boast only of a sound political constitution. He who respects and obeys the laws has a right to protection and support, and his person and property are as sacred in the sight of justice as the person and property of the prince. He who does not obey the laws of his country forfeits all right and title to protection and privilege; his own actions condemn him, and justice takes him up on the evidence of his own transgressions. He who does what is right need not fear the power of the civil magistrate, for he holds the sword only to punish transgressors. Universal obedience to the laws is the duty of every citizen; none can do more, none should do less: therefore each individual in a well regulated state must have equal rights and privileges in every thing that relates to the safety of his person, and the security of his property. Reader, such was the Mosaic code; such Is the British Constitution.

Ye shall have one manner of law,.... Respecting the above things, blaspheming of the name of God, taking away the life of man, or of any beast, and of doing damage to either:
as well for the stranger as for one of your own country; the above laws were binding upon proselytes as well as Israelites, and proselytes of the gate as well as proselytes of righteousness, though the Jews commonly restrain it to the latter:
for I am the Lord your God; whose name is holy and reverend, and ought not to be blasphemed; and who is the Maker and preserver of man and beast, and made these laws respecting them, and expected they should be obeyed, especially by the children of Israel, whose covenant God and Father he was, and they under the greatest obligation to serve and obey him.

One law - That is, in matters of common right, but not as to church privileges.

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