Dictionaries :: Neighbor

Neighbor:

na'-ber (rea‘, ‘amith, "friend," qarobh, shakhen; ho plesion, "near" geiton, (compare 2 Macc 6:8; 9:25), "inhabitant"; Latin proximus (2 Esdras 15:19), civis (2 Esdras 9:45; 10:2, the Revised Version margin "townman")):

1. As Described in the Old Testament:

In the Old Testament, the relationship of neighborhood involves moral and social obligations which are frequently emphasized. These are in the main described in negative rather than positive terms; e.g. there are special injunctions not to bear false witness against a neighbor (Ex 20:16; De 5:20; Pr 25:18), or in any way to deal falsely with him, defraud him, frame malicious devices or harbor evil thoughts against him (Ex 20:17; Le 6:2; 19:13; De 23:24 f; Ps 15:3; 101:5; Pr 24:28; Jer 22:13; Zec 8:17), or to lead him into shameful conduct (Hab 2:15), or to wrong him by lying carnally with his wife (Le 18:20). But the supreme law that underlies these negative injunctions is stated positively. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Le 19:18). In this verse the term "neighbor"is defined by the expression, "the children of my people." Here, and generally in the Old Testament, the term implies more than mere proximity; it means one related by the bond of nationality, a fellow-countryman, compatriot. Yahweh being regarded as a national God, there was no religious bond regulating the conduct of the Hebrews with other nations. Conduct which was prohibited between fellow-Jews was permitted toward a foreigner, e.g. the exaction of interest (De 23:19,20).

2. As Described in the New Testament:

In the New Testament, this limitation of moral obligation to fellow-countrymen is abolished. Christ gives a wider interpretation of the commandment in Le 19:18, so as to include in it those outside the tie of nation or kindred. This is definitely done in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lu 10:25-37), where, in answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus shows that the relationship is a moral, not a physical one, based not on kinship but on the opportunity and capacity for mutual help. The word represents, not so much a rigid fact, but an ideal which one may or may not realize (Lu 10:36, "Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved (literally, became, not was) neighbor," etc.). This larger connotation follows naturally as a corollary to the doctrine of the universal Fatherhood of God. The commandment to love one's neighbor as one's self must not be interpreted as if it implied that we are to hate our enemy (an inference which the jews were apt to make); human love should be like the Divine, impartial, having all men for its object (Mt 5:43 ). Love to one's fellow-men in this broad sense to be placed side by side with love to God as the essence and sum of human duty (Mt 22:35-40 parallel Mr 12:28-31). Christ's apostles follow His example in giving a central position to the injunction to love one's neighbor as one's self (Jas 2:8, where is is called the "royal law" i.e. the supreme or governing law; Ro 13:9; Ga 5:14).

Written by D. Miall Edwards

Neighbor: General Scriptures Concerning

Exd 20:16; 23:4, 5; Lev 6:2-5; 19:13, 16-18; Deu 22:1-4; Psa 15:1-3; Pro 3:28, 29; Isa 58:6-14; Jer 22:13; Zec 8:16, 17; Mat 7:12; 19:19; 22:39; 25:34-46; Mar 12:31; Luk 10:25-37; Rom 13:9, 10; 15:2; Gal 5:14; 6:10; Hbr 13:3; Jam 2:8, 9

Neighbor: References Concerning

See DUTY; MAN

Neighbor:

• Exd 20:16; Exd 23:4-5
• Lev 6:2-5; Lev 19:13; Lev 19:16-18
• Deu 22:1-4
• Psa 15:1-3
• Pro 3:28-29
• Isa 58:6-14
• Jer 22:13
• Zec 8:16-17
• Mat 7:12; Mat 25:34-46
• Luk 10:25-37
• Rom 13:10; Rom 15:2
• Gal 6:10
• Hbr 13:3
• Jam 2:8-9

Neighbor:

lit., "one living in the same land," denotes "a neighbor," always plural in the NT, Luk 14:12; 15:6, 9; Jhn 9:8.

Neighbor:

an adjective, lit., "dwelling around"), is used as a noun in Luk 1:58, "neighbors."

Neighbor:

the neuter of the adjective plesios (from pelas, "near"), is used as an adverb accompanied by the article, lit., "the (one) near;" hence, one's "neighbor;" see refs. below.

This and Nos. 1 and 2 have a wider range of meaning than that of the Eng. word "neighbor." There were no farmhouses scattered over the agricultural areas of Palestine; the populations, gathered in villages, went to and fro to their toil. Hence domestic life was touched at every point by a wide circle of neighborhood. The terms for neighbor were therefore of a very comprehensive scope. This may be seen from the chief characteristics of the privileges and duties of neighborhood as set forth in Scripture,

(a) its helpfulness, e.g, Pro 27:10; Luk 10:36;

(b) its intimacy, e.g., Luk 15:6, 9 (see No. 1); Hbr 8:11;

(c) its sincerity and sancitity, e.g., Exd 22:7, 10; Pro 3:29; 14:21; Rom 13:10; 15:2; Eph 4:25; Jam 4:12. The NT quotes and expands the command in Lev 19:18, "to love one's neighbor as oneself;" see, e.g., Mat 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Mar 12:31, 33; Luk 10:27; Gal 5:14; Jam 2:8. See also Act 7:27.

Note: In Rom 13:8, for hetron, "another," RV has "his neighbor."