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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 19:16

Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer - רכיל rachil signifies a trader, a peddler, and is here applied to the person who travels about dealing in scandal and calumny, getting the secrets of every person and family, and retailing them wherever he goes. A more despicable character exists not: such a person is a pest to society, and should be exiled from the habitations of men. Neither shalt thou stand against the blood, etc. - Thou shalt not be as a false witness, because by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 19:11

Verse 11 God here explains somewhat more clearly His mind and design, for He enumerates as thefts eases in which either deceit or violence is employed. The two words, which we have translated to deny, and to lie, signify also to deceive; as also to lie, or to frustrate hope. (98) There is no question, then, but that God would restrain His people from all craft, or deceit, that they may deal sincerely and honestly with each other; even as Paul wisely explains the meaning of the Holy Spirit, when... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 19:14

Verse 14 Since the Law comprehends under the word murder, all the wrongs whereby men are unjustly injured, that cruelty was especially to be condemned by which those wretched persons are afflicted, whose calamity ought rather to conciliate our compassion. For, if any particle of humanity exists in us, when we meet a blind man we shall be solicitous lest he should stumble or fall, and, if he goes astray, we shall stretch out our hands to him and try to bring him back into the way; we shall also... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 19:16

Verse 16 16.Thou shalt not go up and down. The principle of the second clause is the same as that of the foregoing verse, for it is added to a general precept, whereby detraction is condemned: and much more ought we to be deterred from it, whilst we acknowledge that our tongue is thus armed cruelly to shed innocent blood. Some suppose that the word רכיל, racil, is metaphorically taken from merchants, because the tale-bearer or whisperer (169) is no less busy in hunting for false reports, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 19:1-37

These four laws are, in their positive aspects, In Leviticus 20:11 , Leviticus 20:14 , Leviticus 20:16 , 35, 36, obedience is inculcated to the eighth and the ninth commandments, which are the laws of honesty and of truthfulness; in Leviticus 20:12 to the third commandment, which is the law of reverence; in Leviticus 20:17 , Leviticus 20:18 , 33, 34, to the sixth commandment, which is the law of love; in Leviticus 20:20 , 29, to the seventh commandment, which is the law of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 19:1-37

Religion and superstition. It is not always easy or even possible to distinguish between religion and superstition. We may fall into the latter when we are seeking to practice the former; or we may, from undue fear of the latter, neglect the former. In this chapter the Jews were taught (and we are thereby encouraged) to avoid the one, and to perfect the other in the fear of God. I. THE SUPERSTITION WHICH WAS TO BE SHUNNED . 1 . Clearly and decisively everything that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 19:1-37

Social morality. cf. Matthew 22:35-40 ; Romans 12:1-21 ; James, passim. From the primary principle of unworldliness, we now have to proceed to sundry details about social morality. Although these details are given indiscriminately, it is yet possible to discern certain great principles among them. And— I. ALL SOCIAL MORALITY IS MADE TO REST ON OUR RELATION TO GOD HIMSELF . In the Decalogue we have social morality, that is, our duty to man, based upon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 19:3-32

Honour to whom honor. It is uncertain whether we shall receive the honour which is due to us. Possibly we may be denied some to which we are entitled; probably we have experienced this wrong already, in larger or smaller measure, and know the pain of heart which attends it. Let us, therefore, resolve that we will give that which is due to others. The two passages connected in the text remind us that we should pay deference to— I. THOSE WHO CARRY THE WEIGHT OF YEARS .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 19:3-37

The holy Law in the holy life. I. REVERENCE FOR PARENTS . True religion is seen in common, everyday life. If we love God, we love man. Family peace and order is best preserved by appeal to deep, religious motives. Natural affection is not sufficient against fallen human nature. "God says, Thou shalt," must be the support of natural feeling. II. SABBATH KEEPING . Not as a Jewish regulation, but as both the demand of physical nature and the gracious provision of God for us.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 19:9-14

Kindliness. In the earlier portion of this chapter purity of worship, with its associated reverence for the authority of God, in his representatives, viz. natural parents, and his institutions, as the sabbath, are enjoined. In the verses following our duties towards our fellows come more prominently before us, and in the text that class of those duties whose spirit is kindliness. Charity is sister to piety. We have here enjoined— I. A GENEROUS CONSIDERATION FOR THE POOR . ... read more

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