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You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am Yahweh.
Verse Takeaways
1
More Than Just "No Revenge"
Commentators explain that this command goes far beyond simply not retaliating. To "not take vengeance" means refusing to repay a wrong. To "not bear any grudge" is even deeper—it means not even holding the memory of the offense against the person. Scholars point to ancient Jewish teachings that even mentioning a past wrong while doing a good deed for someone violates this principle. The law targets the root of bitterness in the heart, not just outward actions.
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Book Overview
Leviticus
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5
19th Century
Anglican
You shall not avenge. —As the preceding verse commands us to reprove the offender, this verse forbids us to avenge the wr…
16th Century
Protestant
Therefore, it clearly appears that God had a further object than that people should not kill each other, for He not only restrains their hands but …
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
You shall not avenge That is, not avenge ourselves on him that has done us an ill thing, but leave it to him to whom veng…
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Presbyterian
There are some ceremonial precepts in this chapter, but most of these precepts are binding on us, for they are explanations of the Ten Commandments…