Bible Strands
Leviticus 25:17
Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses Israel during the wilderness journey, issuing regulations on land redemption and harvest leasing. The command interrupts a pricing formula to halt exploitative business practices among the community.
The words — The Hebrew verb תוֹנוּ (to.Nu) means "you will maltreat" or "take advantage of," applied to anyone toward his fellow citizen. The conjunction כִּי (ki) translates as "for," directly linking the prohibition to the subsequent declaration of divine identity.
The thread — The verse's structure parallels Leviticus 19:14, Leviticus 19:32, and Leviticus 25:43, where ethical directives are anchored by the command to "fear your God."
Why it lands — The text explicitly forbids exploiting economic leverage in land deals and commands reverence for God as the boundary. Readers must apply this standard by treating commercial relationships as accountable to divine authority rather than personal gain.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 19:14 You must not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.
- Leviticus 19:32 You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.
- Leviticus 25:43 You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God.
- Exodus 20:20 “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”
- Genesis 42:18 and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live:
- Leviticus 25:14 If you make a sale to your neighbor or a purchase from him, you must not take advantage of each other.
- Genesis 20:11 Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’
- Genesis 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”
- Genesis 39:9 No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
- Deuteronomy 25:18 how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God.