Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
Don't be unfair when making judgments or decisions. Don't favor someone just because they're poor, and don't show special treatment to someone just because they're powerful or wealthy. Instead, judge your neighbor fairly and righteously.
God is calling His people to be completely fair in their judgments, treating both poor and rich people equally without bias.
📚 Historical Context
In the ancient Israelite society, as described in the Book of Leviticus, God was giving a series of laws through Moses to the newly freed nation after their exodus from Egypt, emphasizing holiness and ethical living. This verse specifically warns against bias in judicial matters, ensuring that judges did not favor the poor out of pity or the mighty out of fear, as such partiality could undermine God's standard of righteousness. It fits into the broader Holiness Code in Leviticus, which instructed the Israelites to reflect God's character in all aspects of their communal and personal lives.
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