Neighbor

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

Once a lawyer, in an attempt to rationalize his own racial prejudice, asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" ( Luke 10:29 ). This lawyer-scribe unknowingly expresses a fundamental issue in all of ethics: For whom are we responsible in issues of justice and mercy? Jesus' answer was the parable of the Good Samaritan and the fundamental ideas of the parable find their roots in both Old Testament and Jewish soil.

The problem of "neighborliness" was acute in Judaism because of the people's self-consciousness of being the chosen people ( Genesis 12:1-3;  15:1-6;  17:1-8 ), sealed in the rite of circumcision (17:9-14). Election set Israel apart, made the people particularly loyal to their own kind (cf.  Matthew 5:43-48 ) and, at the same time, permitted the tendency to neglect, even condemn, those who were not Israelites. With such tendencies, it is not surprising that legislation had to be given to Israel to encourage compassion and justice for the non-Jew. Thus, Moses prescribes rites of conversion for the foreigner who wants to eat Passover with Israel ( Exodus 12:43-49 ) and, even more, prohibits the reaping of the crops entirely; instead, some crops were to be left "for the poor and the alien" ( Leviticus 19:9-10; cf.  Deuteronomy 24:19-22 ) and every third year a tithe was to be shared with the sojourners ( Deuteronomy 14:29;  26:12-13 ). The fundamental basis for this is that at one time Israel was also a sojourner while in Egypt; therefore, Israel is to treat its sojourners with compassion and justice ( Leviticus 19:33-34;  Deuteronomy 10:19;  24:22 ). Essentially, then, the Mosaic laws demand both compassion and justice to be guaranteed for the foreigner because God loves the sojourner ( Deuteronomy 10:18 ). It is impossible for us to know just how Israel treated the foreigner who decided to live with, or near, them. The records show both slave labor ( 1 Chronicles 22:2;  2 Chronicles 2:17-18 ) and inclusion among the people ( 2 Chronicles 30:25 ).

In spite of this insistence of the law that Israel was to be kind to foreigners and treat them with compassion and justice, the preponderance of emphasis is on the "neighborliness" to be shown to fellow members of the covenant with Israel. We ought to see this as special benevolence among Israelites; it did, however, develop at times into racial favoritism and discrimination. In fact, to be a "neighbor" was to be a "brother" (cf.  Jeremiah 31:34 ): at the end of seven years release was granted from debts owed to a "neighbor-brother" but this same privilege of release was not granted to foreigners ( Deuteronomy 15:2-3 ). Thus, when the Old Testament prescribes treating one's neighbor as oneself ( Leviticus 19:18 b), we are to envisage how Israel was to treat fellow Israelites ( Leviticus 19:17-18 a) and, only by extension, Gentiles. There developed then an entire network of legal prescriptions and prohibitions about dealings with one's neighbors, including attitudes and actions like adultery and business relations. The vision of Zechariah for the final days included the refreshing fellowship of neighborliness (3:10).

Thus, when we enter into the New Testament period we are to understand the biblical laws of the Old Testament that speak of neighborliness as injunctions for special treatment of fellow Jews. Jews showed special love for fellow Jews because they were covenantally and racially bound together. The social realities of Jewish history, with the constant battering of the people of Israel by other nations, also inclined the Jewish people to favor their own. Social realities also reveal that Jews were kind to Gentiles in general and for those Jews who lived in the diaspora there was also a general social friendliness to be observed. Early Christianity showed a similar kind of "prejudiced love" ( Galatians 6:10 ) and it would be wrong to vilify either Jews or Christians for their "prejudiced love" unless that love becomes neglect, or even contempt, of outsiders in need.

Jesus sought to expand the concept of "neighbor" to include non-Jews; while this is not contrary to Jewish law or to Jewish practice, it clearly was challenging to many in Judaism. Jewish practice had come to the general conviction that a "neighbor, " in purely legal terms, was a Jew or proselyte to Judaism. For Jesus, a neighbor was anyone with whom you came into contact—whether Jew, Samaritan, or Gentile ( Luke 10:25-37 ). In fact, this focus on an expanding definition led to the breaking down of Jewish barriers that were constructed around the traditional interpretations of cleanness and uncleanness. At the time of Jesus, various restricting movements, like the Pharisees and Essenes at Qumran, naturally tended to show favoritism to members of their own social groups. While the War Scroll at Qumran may be from one extreme end of the evidence, its emphasis on hating all those who were sons of darkness (non-Essenes) illustrates the point being made. Thus, we are to understand the parable of the good Samaritan as addressing the issue of the "limits" of one's responsibility and we are to see Jesus saying that there are no limits; one cannot exclusively exercise compassion or justice for one's own kind.

This profound parable of Jesus, with its teaching on the importance of showing love for anyone within one's reach, along with Jesus' command to love one's enemies ( Matthew 5:43-48 ) and his overt friendliness to Gentiles become foundational for the early church's missionary efforts and for interpersonal relationships within the largely Gentile churches of Paul. Paul urges the Galatians to love their neighbors as themselves and here the implication is that it involved both Jewish and Gentile Christians ( Galatians 5:14 ) and we find in Matthew an emphasis on loving one's enemy (=Gentile  Matthew 5:43-48 ). Once again, while this idea is not new to Judaism, the emphasis of seeing neighbors as Gentiles as well clearly expanded the Jewish horizons.

It is also clear that the early churches found a special love for one another and addressed themselves as neighbors. Paul can say that one is to do good especially to other believers ( Galatians 6:10 ) and James can see the principle of  Leviticus 19:18 applying to what was probably Jewish Christians (2:1-14). Furthermore, Paul urges his congregations to be neighborly, and we are probably justified in seeing such exhortations applying primarily to Christian fellowship (  Romans 13:8-10;  1 Corinthians 10:24;  Ephesians 4:25 ).

Scot McKnight

See also Foreigner; The Nations

Bibliography . J. D. G. Dunn, Jesus' Call to Discipleship  ; H. Greeven and J. Fichtner, TDNT, 6:311-15; W. Gnther, U. Falkenroth, and D. A. Carson, NIDNTT, 1:254-60; J. J. Hughes and N. J. Opperwall, ISBE, 3:517-18; S. McKnight, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, pp. 259-65; idem, A Light among the Gentiles: Jewish Missionary Activity in the Second Temple Period  ; E. P. Sanders, Judaism: Practice and Belief .

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Γείτων (Strong'S #1069 — Noun — geiton — ghi'-tone )

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

2: Περίοικος (Strong'S #4040 — Adjective — perioikos — per-ee'-oy-kos )

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

3: Πλησίον (Strong'S #4139 — Adverb — plesion — play-see'-on )

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.

 Proverbs 27:10 Luke 10:36 Luke 15:6,9  Hebrews 8:11 Exodus 22:7,10 Proverbs 3:29 14:21 Romans 13:10 15:2 Ephesians 4:25 James 4:12 Leviticus 19:18 Matthew 5:43 19:19 22:39 Mark 12:31,33 Luke 10:27 Galatians 5:14 James 2:8 Acts 7:27 Romans 13:8

Holman Bible Dictionary

Old Testament  Leviticus 19:18 stated the OT law to love your neighbor. Most of the other references shed light on how this love could be carried out, telling what not to do to a neighbor (see   Deuteronomy 19:11-14;  Deuteronomy 27:24;  Proverbs 14:21;  Habakkuk 2:15 ). Refusing to respect the rights of a neighbor constituted moral disintegration and provoked punishment on the nation ( Isaiah 3:5;  Jeremiah 9:4-9;  Micah 7:5-6 ).

 Leviticus 19:18 also defined neighbor. Neighbors were “the children of thy people.” That is, neighbors had to come from your kind. Anyone who believed differently from you could not be your neighbor.

Jesus By Jesus' day, the rabbis had further restricted the definition of neighbor. For them a neighbor was a Jew who strictly observed the Law. Other people were hated as enemies ( Matthew 5:43 ). Jesus sought to broaden the definition of neighbor. Neighbors included your enemies. Love meant doing good for them ( Matthew 5:44 ). His most comprehensive definition of neighbor came in response to a lawyer's question, “Who is my neighbor?” ( Luke 10:29 ). Jesus replied with the story of a man who had been beaten, robbed, and left to die. First, a priest went by and did nothing. Then, a Levite went by and did nothing. Finally, a foreigner (Samaritan) came and compassionately assisted the dying man, saving his life and making provisions for his immediate future ( Luke 10:30-35 ).

Two truths are found from the parable. First, a neighbor is any person we encounter who has any need. Since every person we encounter has a need of some kind, we can understand the term to include every person we encounter. Second, we are to be a neighbor. The question is not just “Who is my neighbor?” but also, “Am I being a neighbor?” Neighboring is done as we show mercy (  Luke 10:37 ). Loving our neighbor is second in importance only to loving God ( Matthew 25:35-39 ) and means more than all the offerings and sacrifices we could ever give ( Mark 12:33 ).

New Testament The remainder of New Testament thought, of course, concurs with Jesus's teachings. Both Paul ( Romans 13:9-10;  Galatians 5:14 ) and James ( Galatians 2:8 ) regard “love your neighbor” to be of utmost importance for every Christian.

Gil Lain

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) One who is near in sympathy or confidence.

(2): ( v. i.) To dwell in the vicinity; to be a neighbor, or in the neighborhood; to be near.

(3): ( a.) Near to another; adjoining; adjacent; next; neighboring.

(4): ( n.) A person who lives near another; one whose abode is not far off.

(5): ( n.) One entitled to, or exhibiting, neighborly kindness; hence, one of the human race; a fellow being.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

At the time of our Savior, the Pharisees had restrained the meaning of the word "neighbor" to those of their own nation, or to their own friends; holding, that to hate their enemy was not forbidden by the law,  Matthew 5:43 . But our Savior informed them that the whole world was neighbors; that they ought not to do to another what they would not have done to themselves; and that this charity extended even to enemies. See the beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan, the real neighbor to the distressed,  Luke 10:29 .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

nā´bẽr ( רע , rēa' , עמית , ‛āmı̄th , "friend," קרוב , ḳārōbh , שׁכן , shākhēn  ; ὁ πλησίον , ho plēsı́on , "near" γείτων , géitōn , (compare   2 Maccabees 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 ( Exodus 20:16;  Deuteronomy 5:20;  Proverbs 25:18 ), or in any way to deal falsely with him, defraud him, frame malicious devices or harbor evil thoughts against him ( Exodus 20:17;  Leviticus 6:2;  Leviticus 19:13;  Deuteronomy 23:24 f;   Psalm 15:3;  Psalm 101:5;  Proverbs 24:28;  Jeremiah 22:13;  Zechariah 8:17 ), or to lead him into shameful conduct ( Habakkuk 2:15 ), or to wrong him by lying carnally with his wife ( Leviticus 18:20 ). But the supreme law that underlies these negative injunctions is stated positively. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" ( Leviticus 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 ( Deuteronomy 23:19 ,  Deuteronomy 23:20 ).

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  Leviticus 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 ( Luke 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 ( Luke 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 ( Matthew 5:43 ff). 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 (  Matthew 22:35-40 parallel   Mark 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 ( James 2:8 , where is is called the "royal law" i.e. the supreme or governing law;  Romans 13:9;  Galatians 5:14 ).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(usually רֵע , Rie, elsewhere "friend;" Ὁ Πλήσιος , one's Nearest dweller). This word in its general sense signifies a person near, and one connected with us by the bonds of humanity, and whom charity requires that we should consider as a friend and relation ( Deuteronomy 5:20). At the time of our Saviour the Pharisees had restrained the meaning of the word neighbor to those of their own nation or to their own friends, holding that to hate their enemy was not forbidden by the law ( Matthew 5:43). But our Saviour informed them that the whole world were neighbors; that they ought not to do to another what they would not have done to themselves; and that this charity extended even to enemies. The beautiful parable of the Good Samaritan is set forth to illustrate this principle ( Luke 10:29-37). (See Charity).