But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
The foreigner who lives among you should be treated just like someone who was born in your country, and you should love them as much as you love yourself. Remember, you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
God is commanding His people to treat immigrants and foreigners with the same love and respect they would want for themselves, remembering their own experience as outsiders in Egypt.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:34 is part of the laws given to the Israelites by God through Moses as they journeyed through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. This verse specifically commands the Israelites to treat foreigners living among them with the same love and respect as native-born citizens, drawing on their own painful history of being oppressed strangers in Egypt. It reflects God's emphasis on justice and holiness in a world where ancient societies often marginalized outsiders.
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