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Leviticus 25:43

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 25:43 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor, but shalt fear thy God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor, but shalt fear thy God.
Leviticus 25:43 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
40As a hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee; he shall serve with thee unto the year of jubilee:
41then shall he go out from thee, he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
42For they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.
43Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor, but shalt fear thy God.
44And as for thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, whom thou shalt have; of the nations that are round about you, of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.
45Moreover of the children of the strangers that sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they have begotten in your land: and they shall be your possession.
46And ye shall make them an inheritance for your children after you, to hold for a possession; of them shall ye take your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel ye shall not rule, one over another, with rigor.
← Leviticus 25:42Leviticus 25:44 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour, etc.] As the Egyptians ruled over the Israelites, and made them to serve, (<020113>Exodus 1:13); where the same word is used as here, and seems designed to put them in mind of it, that so they might abstain from such usage of their brethren, which they had met with from their most cruel enemies; it signifies tyranny and oppression, treating them with great severity, laying hard and heavy tasks and burdens upon them they could not bear; enjoining them things they could not perform, and ordering them to do what were unnecessary, and without any limitation with respect to time: but shalt fear thy God; that has been good to thee, and has brought thee out…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Fear thy God - Yahweh was the Lord and Master of His people. To treat a Hebrew as a slave was therefore to interfere with the rights of Yahweh. Compare Romans 14:4. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Fear thy God - Though thou dost not fear them who are in thy power, and unable to right themselves, yet fear that God who hath commanded thee to use them kindly, and who can and will avenge their cause, if thou oppress them. Leviticus 25:47”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“25:43 As human beings created in God’s image (Gen 1:26, 27; Prov 14:31; 17:5) and as fellow Israelites in covenant with God, even bondservants were to be treated with respect. God’s law includes numerous provisions for their protection (see Exod 21:20, 26-27). All human beings must be treated in a way that reflects reverence for God (see Prov 14:31; 17:5; Jas 2:14-16; 3:9-10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“rule: Lev 25:46, Lev 25:53; Exo 1:13, Exo 1:14, Exo 2:23, Exo 3:7, Exo 3:9, Exo 5:14; Isa 47:6, Isa 58:3; Eph 6:9; Col 4:1 but shalt: Lev 25:17; Exo 1:17, Exo 1:21; Deu 25:18; Mal 3:5 Leviticus 25:44”
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Related study paths

Read Leviticus 25 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification