Loving the Neighbour and the Resident Alien in Leviticus 19 as Ethical Redefinition of Holiness

Hendrik L Bosman

doi:10.17159/2312-3621/2018/v31n3a10

Abstract

“Loving the neighbour” is generally accepted as fundamental to Judeo-Christian theological ethics. However, few reflect on the implications of extending “loving the neighbour” (Lev 19:18) to “loving the resident alien/foreigner” (Lev 19:33-34) within the context of the Holiness Code (Lev 17-26). This contribution argues that “holiness” is redefined in Leviticus 19 by combining the instructions related to cultic rituals (aimed at the priests) in Leviticus 1-16 with the theological-ethical issues (aimed at all Israelites) in Leviticus 17-26; thereby moving from “ascribed holiness” (granted by divine decree to cultic officials) to “achieved holiness” (available to all Israel through obedience) in the post-exilic period. https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2018/v31n3a10

Highlights

From the start, any investigation of “love your neighbour as yourself” must be cautioned by way of Richard Elliot Friedman’s comments2: “One of the most famous lines from the Bible
Few reflect on the implications of extending “loving the neighbour” (Lev 19:18) to “loving the resident alien/foreigner” (Lev 19:33-34) within the context of the Holiness Code (Lev 17-26)
At first some comments are made on Leviticus 19 as closely related to the so-called Holiness Code (Lev. 17-26) and taking into consideration the trend in recent scholarship to interpret it within a postexilic context

Summary

A INTRODUCTION

Any investigation of “love your neighbour as yourself” must be cautioned by way of Richard Elliot Friedman’s comments2: “One of the most famous lines from the Bible. Capable of a thousand interpretations and raising a thousand questions.”. At first some comments are made on Leviticus 19 as closely related to the so-called Holiness Code (Lev. 17-26) and taking into consideration the trend in recent scholarship to interpret it within a postexilic context. 572 Bosman, “Ethical Redefinition of Holiness,” OTE 31/3 (2018): 571-590 to “love the neighbour” (Lev. 17:18) and “love the resident alien” (Lev. 19:3334) are discussed within their possible literary and historical contexts; after which it is reflected on how the underlying concept of “holiness” is probably influenced by the love commands in question. The methodological approach of this discussion can be characterised as a diachronically informed synchronic discussion of Leviticus 19, leaning towards situating it in a post-exilic context, possibly before the construction of the Second Temple (i.e. leading up to Ezra – Nehemiah)

B BRIEF COMMENTS ON LEVITICUS 19

E REDEFINING ‘HOLINESS’ IN LEVITICUS 19 AND THE HOLINESS CODE

F CONCLUSION