Leviticus 25:35

Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses Israel regarding economic conduct following the Sabbath year regulations. The command applies to the community when a fellow Israelite’s financial resources collapse.

The words — The Hebrew verb יָמ֣וּךְ (ya.Mukh) literally means "he will become impoverished," describing the sudden loss of means. The command to וְ/הֶֽחֱזַ֣קְתָּ (ve./he.che.Zak.ta) "you will strengthen" uses a physical metaphor for providing material support.

The thread — The same concern for the destitute Israelite appears in Deuteronomy 15:7, which commands relief for a poor brother within the gates. The principle of aiding the vulnerable extends to the early church in Acts 11:29, where disciples send relief to brothers in Judea.

Why it lands — The text commands direct financial assistance to a bankrupt countryman, equating the obligation to that owed a foreigner. It requires maintaining the person's presence within the community rather than allowing economic collapse to force displacement.

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

וְכִֽי־ve./khi-and/ if יָמ֣וּךְya.Mukhhe will become impoverished אָחִ֔יךָ'a.Chi./khabrother/ your וּמָ֥טָהu./Ma.tahand/ it will slip יָד֖וֹya.D/ohand/ his עִמָּ֑ךְ'i.Ma/khwith/ you וְהֶֽחֱזַ֣קְתָּve./he.che.Zak.taand/ you will strengthenבּ֔וֹb/o<in> <the>/ himגֵּ֧רgera sojourner וְתוֹשָׁ֛בve./to.Shavand/ a resident alien וָחַ֖יva./Chaiand/ he will live עִמָּֽךְ׃'i.Ma/khwith/ you

King James Version

And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
Acts 11:29 So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
Exodus 23:9 Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Leviticus 19:34 You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 25:25 If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold.
Deuteronomy 10:18 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.
Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Deuteronomy 24:14 Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.
Psalms 37:26 They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing.
Psalms 41:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.