Jesus seems to refer to a nonexistent "hate your enemy" verse? (Matthew 5:43)

[mcarans]

In Matthew 5:43, Jesus appears to refer to an Old Testament text which should read something like "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy". However, there is no such verse in the Bible. What are we to make of this? Could He be referring to Psalms 139:21-22 or actions driven by hatred in the Old Testament?

More here:
Jesus seems to refer to a nonexistent "hate your enemy" verse? (Matthew 5:43) : cruciformity

 

[public hermit]

Why does it have to refer to an Old Testament passage? Is it because in other parts of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus does refer to OT passages, e.g. 5:38? Maybe in 5:43 he is referring to a common sentiment, but not anything written.

 

[Aussie Pete]

In Matthew 5:43, Jesus appears to refer to an Old Testament text which should read something like "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy". However, there is no such verse in the Bible. What are we to make of this? Could He be referring to Psalms 139:21-22 or actions driven by hatred in the Old Testament?

More here:
Jesus seems to refer to a nonexistent "hate your enemy" verse? (Matthew 5:43) : cruciformity

There are quite a few references to OT statements that do not appear in our Bible. The Jewish leaders were also adept at adding to the written word of God. Also, Lord Jesus may well have been referring to the constant battles between Israel and the surrounding tribes. The Philistines and Israelis were not good neighbours.

 

[A_Thinker]

In Matthew 5:43, Jesus appears to refer to an Old Testament text which should read something like "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy". However, there is no such verse in the Bible. What are we to make of this? Could He be referring to Psalms 139:21-22 or actions driven by hatred in the Old Testament?

More here:
Jesus seems to refer to a nonexistent "hate your enemy" verse? (Matthew 5:43) : cruciformity

Jesus didn't say it was scripture ...

 

[Rubiks]

Jesus never said it was scripture; only that such teaching existed at the time.

 

[Dave-W]

That verse stymied biblical scholars for centuries. But the quote was eventually found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is from the Constitution for the Qumran community of Essenes that lived next to the Dead Sea.

 

[Athanasius377]

In Matthew 5:43, Jesus appears to refer to an Old Testament text which should read something like "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy". However, there is no such verse in the Bible. What are we to make of this? Could He be referring to Psalms 139:21-22 or actions driven by hatred in the Old Testament?

More here:
Jesus seems to refer to a nonexistent "hate your enemy" verse? (Matthew 5:43) : cruciformity

It is probable that Jesus is referring to Deut 23:3-6. He is combining verses from Lev 19:18-9 with Deut 23:3-6.


3 “No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall ever enter the assembly of the LORD,
4 because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.
5 “Nevertheless, the LORD your God was not willing to listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you.
6 “You shall never seek their peace or their prosperity all your days.


New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Dt 23:3–6). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

It seems Jesus was teaching the popularly understood form rather than strictly from Deuteronomy.

 

[Hammster]

In Matthew 5:43, Jesus appears to refer to an Old Testament text which should read something like "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy". However, there is no such verse in the Bible. What are we to make of this? Could He be referring to Psalms 139:21-22 or actions driven by hatred in the Old Testament?

More here:
Jesus seems to refer to a nonexistent "hate your enemy" verse? (Matthew 5:43) : cruciformity

He doesn’t refer to an OT passage.

 

[joshua 1 9]

Jesus appears to refer to an Old Testament text

Not at all - the passage reads: "You have heard it said". If Jesus was talking about the Old Testament He would have said: "It is written".

 

[public hermit]

That verse stymied biblical scholars for centuries. But the quote was eventually found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is from the Constitution for the Qumran community of Essenes that lived next to the Dead Sea.

"The Dead Sea community in Qumran went even further. They taught their followers to “love all the sons of light … and hate all the sons of darkness,” understanding the sons of light as members of their own sect and sons of darkness to be other Jews outside of their sect (Dead Sea Scrolls)."

Love your Neighbor but Hate Your Enemy

 

[mcarans]

"The Dead Sea community in Qumran went even further. They taught their followers to “love all the sons of light … and hate all the sons of darkness,” understanding the sons of light as members of their own sect and sons of darkness to be other Jews outside of their sect (Dead Sea Scrolls)."

Love your Neighbor but Hate Your Enemy

I cam across that article, but I wonder if their view was common to many Jews or just to their sect.

 

[public hermit]

I cam across that article, but I wonder if their view was common to many Jews or just to their sect.

That's a good question. If it was just their view and not the common view, it would be odd for Jesus to quote it in that context.

 

[paul1149]

Doesn't the psalmist says he hates the enemies of God? He hates them "perfectly", IIRC.

Yes - Ps 139:21-22

 

[Emmylouwho]

That verse stymied biblical scholars for centuries. But the quote was eventually found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is from the Constitution for the Qumran community of Essenes that lived next to the Dead Sea.

Can you post a link?

 

[LoveofTruth]

In Matthew 5:43, Jesus appears to refer to an Old Testament text which should read something like "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy". However, there is no such verse in the Bible. What are we to make of this? Could He be referring to Psalms 139:21-22 or actions driven by hatred in the Old Testament?

More here:
Jesus seems to refer to a nonexistent "hate your enemy" verse? (Matthew 5:43) : cruciformity

Exact text are not always quoted they are either paraphrased or since he is the Lord he can speak what some have said or the word anew

but didn’t David say

Psalm 139:22. I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.”

mans we read

“ Leviticus 24:17. And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.18. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.19. And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;20. Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.21. And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.”

Could hate for hate be implied?

also Jesus said “ye have heard that it hath been said” he wasn’t quoting Moses but mans sayings and possible misinterpretation of the text. But an eye for an eye was OT justice and the Bew Testament speaks of a greater love

 

[Dave-W]

Can you post a link?

LOL!!! Take an Israel tour from Sar El Tours and ask for tourguide Sonia Waters.

 

[Dave-W]

Exact text are not always quoted

Except that apparently IS an exact quote.

 

[LoveofTruth]

Psalm 5:5. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.6. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.”

 

[LoveofTruth]

Except that apparently IS an exact quote.

No he said ye have heard it was said etc

he did not say it is written in your law as he did in other places

The Jews misunderstood many things

 

[LoveofTruth]

There were also many erroneous Jewish traditions around the law