Who is my neighbor?

What are the two most important rules in the Bible? In Luke 10, the lawyer and Jesus both agree.

Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. [kjv]

Both are needed. Who is thy neighbor? Jesus answers this question in the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. The short answer is that anyone "nearby" is your neighbor.

The words for "neighbor" in the GNT (Greek New Testament) have interesting etymologies.

The English word "neighbor" and comes from the Middle English word "neighebor" ≈ "neighbor" and comes from the Old English word "neahgebur" ≈ "neighbor".

The word "neighbor" is from two words.

"nigh" as in "near".
"bower" as from the German word "Bauer" ≈ "farmer".

Today, a "neighbor" is someone who is "near" and not just a "farmer".

Neighbors are those that are "near".

A technology called NFC (Near Field Communication) is used to allow cell phones and other devices to communicate over short distances for the purposes of electronic payment, etc.

A lawyer in Luke 10 asks Jesus a question.

Jesus has answered this question before, as recorded in the other Gospels, so this question appears to be a setup for the actual question.

Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [kjv]

Luke 10:25

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KJV: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Greek: και ιδου νομικος τις ανεστη εκπειραζων αυτον και λεγων διδασκαλε τι ποιησας ζωην αιωνιον κληρονομησω

Latin: et ecce quidam legis peritus surrexit temptans illum et dicens magister quid faciendo vitam aeternam possidebo

Wessex: Ða aras sum aegleow man & fandede his & cwaeð. Lareow hwaet do ic þaet ich eche lif haebbe.

Wycliffe: And lo! a wise man of the lawe ros vp, temptynge hym, and seiynge, Maister, what thing schal Y do to haue euerlastynge lijf?

Luther: Und siehe, da stund ein Schriftgelehrter auf, versuchte ihn und sprach: Meister, was muß ich tun, daß ich das ewige Leben ererbe?

Spanish: Y he aquí un doctor de la ley se levantó y dijo, para probarle: Maestro, ¿qué haré para heredar la vida eterna?

Portuguese: Levantou-se, então, um doutor da Lei e perguntou-lhe, para o experimentar: «Mestre, que hei-de fazer para possuir a vida eterna? »

Jesus answers the question with a question.

Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? [kjv]

This is often useful to have the person asking the question clarify their position, knowledge, etc.

Luke 10:26

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KJV: He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

Greek: ο δε ειπεν προς αυτον εν τω νομω τι γεγραπται πως αναγινωσκεις

The lawyer answers with the two rules in a manner similar to what Jesus said as recorded in other Gospels.

Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. [kjv]

It is important to note that both are needed. That is, loving God and loving neighbor.

More: Both love your God and love your neighbor needed

Luke 10:27

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KJV: And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Greek: ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν αγαπησεις κυριον τον θεον σου εξ ολης της καρδιας σου και εξ ολης της ψυχης εν ολη τη ψυχη σου και εξ ολης της ισχυος εν ολη τη ισχυι σου και εξ ολης της διανοιας εν ολη τη διανοια σου και τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον

Jesus affirms what the lawyer has quoted from the scriptures.

Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. [kjv]

Luke 10:28

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KJV: And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Greek: ειπεν δε αυτω ορθως απεκριθης τουτο ποιει και ζηση

The lawyer now springs the question that it appears he wanted to ask all along.

Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? [kjv]

The word for "justify" here is that of being "righteous". The "righteousness" here is in loving God. It appears the lawyer wants an "out" by redefining or sliding the meaning of "neighbor".

Luke 10:29

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KJV: But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Greek: ο δε θελων δικαιουν δικαιωσαι εαυτον ειπεν προς τον ιησουν και τις εστιν μου πλησιον

Latin: ille autem volens iustificare se ipsum dixit ad Iesum et quis est meus proximus

Wycliffe: But he willynge to iustifie hym silf, seide to Jhesu, And who is my neiybore?

Tyndale: He willinge to iustifie him silfe sayde vnto Iesus: Who is then my neghbour?

Gothic: ith is wiljands uswaurhtana sik domjan qath du iesua: an hvas ist mis nehvundja?

Luther: Er aber wollte sich selbst rechtfertigen und sprach zu Jesu: Wer ist denn mein Nächster?

Spanish: Masél, queriéndose justificar a sí mismo, dijo a Jesús: ¿Y quién es mi prójimo?

*G4139 *17 πλησίον (play-see'-on) : neuter of a derivative of pelas (near); (adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend):--near, neighbour.

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πλησιον *17

Matthew 5:43 ... it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Matthew 19:19 ... and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 22:39 ... unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mark 12:31 ... namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is ...
Mark 12:33 ... the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is ...
Luke 10:27 ... mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10:29 ... who is my neighbour?
Luke 10:36 ... thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
John 4:5 ... of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob ...
Acts 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him ...
Romans 13:9 ... namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Galatians 5:14 ... this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Ephesians 4:25 ... truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
James 2:8 ... the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save ...

There are a few other words in Greek that have to do with the idea of "neighbor".

The following word appears in the GNT and LXX (Septuagint).

*G4039 *1 περιοικέω (per-ee-oy-keh'-o) : from G4012 and G3611; to reside around, i.e. be a neighbor:--dwell round about.

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περιοικουντας

Luke 1:65 ... came on all that dwelt round about them: and all ...

*G4040 *1 περίοικος (per-ee'-oy-kos) : from G4012 and G3624; housed around, i.e. neighboring (used elliptically as a noun):--neighbour.

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περιοικοι

Luke 1:58 And her neighbours and her cousins ...

Luke 1:58

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KJV: And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Greek: και ηκουσαν οι περιοικοι και οι συγγενεις αυτης οτι εμεγαλυνεν κυριος το ελεος αυτου μετ αυτης και συνεχαιρον αυτη

Luke 1:65

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KJV: And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

Greek: και εγενετο επι παντας φοβος τους περιοικουντας αυτους και εν ολη τη ορεινη της ιουδαιας διελαλειτο παντα τα ρηματα ταυτα

Latin: et factus est timor super omnes vicinos eorum et super omnia montana Iudaeae divulgabantur omnia verba haec

Wessex: Ða warð eige ge-worden ofer ealle heora nehchegeburas & ofer ealle iudea munt-land waeren þas worð wið-maersede.

Wycliffe: And drede was maad on alle her neiyboris, and alle these wordis weren pupplischid on alle the mounteyns of Judee.

Tyndale: And feare came on all the that dwelt nye vnto them. And all these sayinges were noysed abroade throughout all ye hyll coutre of Iurie

Luther: Und es kam eine Furcht über alle Nachbarn und diese Geschichte ward ruchbar auf dem ganzen jüdischen Gebirge.

The fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah, for their wickedness, uses the word for neighbors as those dwelling around as in inhabitants.

The wickedness of Sodom is from where comes the word "sodomy".

Genesis 19:24

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KJV: Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Hebrew: ויהוה המטיר על סדם ועל עמרה גפרית ואש מאת יהוה מן השמים׃

Greek: και κυριος εβρεξεν επι σοδομα και γομορρα θειον και πυρ παρα κυριου εκ του ουρανου

Genesis 19:25

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KJV: And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Hebrew: ויהפך את הערים האל ואת כל הככר ואת כל ישבי הערים וצמח האדמה׃

Greek: και κατεστρεψεν τας πολεις ταυτας και πασαν την περιοικον και παντας τους κατοικουντας εν ταις πολεσιν και παντα τα ανατελλοντα εκ της γης

Genesis 19:28

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KJV: And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Hebrew: וישקף על פני סדם ועמרה ועל כל פני ארץ הככר וירא והנה עלה קיטר הארץ כקיטר הכבשן׃

Greek: και επεβλεψεν επι προσωπον σοδομων και γομορρας και επι προσωπον της γης της περιχωρου και ειδεν και ιδου ανεβαινεν φλοξ της γης ωσει ατμις καμινου

Genesis 19:29

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KJV: And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

Hebrew: ויהי בשחת אלהים את ערי הככר ויזכר אלהים את אברהם וישלח את לוט מתוך ההפכה בהפך את הערים אשר ישב בהן לוט׃

Greek: και εγενετο εν τω εκτριψαι κυριον πασας τας πολεις της περιοικου εμνησθη ο θεος του αβρααμ και εξαπεστειλεν τον λωτ εκ μεσου της καταστροφης εν τω καταστρεψαι κυριον τας πολεις εν αις κατωκει εν αυταις λωτ

Paul in Romans says the following.

Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. [kjv]

The "law" has to do with "loving God". The "love your neighbor" works to complete or fulfill the law. Paul appears to make a meaningful pun here.

The ancient Greek word "πλυσιον" ≈ "those near, neighbor".
The ancient Greek word "πληρωμα" ≈ "complete, fill full".

Romans 13:10

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KJV: Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Greek: η αγαπη τω πλησιον κακον ουκ εργαζεται πληρωμα ουν νομου η αγαπη

Latin: dilectio proximo malum non operatur plenitudo ergo legis est dilectio

Wycliffe: The loue of neiybore worchith not yuel; therfor loue is the fulfillyng of the lawe.

Tyndale: Love hurteth not his neghbour. Therfore is love the fulfillynge of the lawe.

Geneva: Loue doeth not euill to his neighbour: therefore is loue the fulfilling of the Lawe.

Gothic: friathwa nehvundjins ubil ni waurkeith; usfulleins nu witodis ist friathwa.

Luther: Die Liebe tut dem Nächsten nichts Böses. So ist nun die Liebe des Gesetzes Erfüllung.

Spanish: El amor no hace mal al prójimo; así que el amor es el cumplimiento de la ley.

Luke 15:6

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KJV: And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Greek: και ελθων εις τον οικον συγκαλει τους φιλους και τους γειτονας λεγων αυτοις συγχαρητε μοι οτι ευρον το προβατον μου το απολωλος

*G1069 *4 γείτων (ghi'-tone) : from G1093; a neighbour (as adjoining one's ground); by implication, a friend:--neighbour.

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γειτονας *3

Luke 14:12 ... kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also ...
Luke 15:6 ... he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with ...
Luke 15:9 ... it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with ...

γειτονες

John 9:8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen ...

Luke 15:9

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KJV: And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Greek: και ευρουσα συγκαλειται συγκαλει τας φιλας και τας γειτονας λεγουσα συγχαρητε μοι οτι ευρον την δραχμην ην απωλεσα

John 9:8

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KJV: The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

Greek: οι ουν γειτονες και οι θεωρουντες αυτον το προτερον οτι τυφλος προσαιτης ην ελεγον ουχ ουτος εστιν ο καθημενος και προσαιτων

There are two verses in the LXX that use both of Greek words most used for "neighbor" in the GNT.

Exodus 12:4

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KJV: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

Hebrew: ואם ימעט הבית מהית משה ולקח הוא ושכנו הקרב אל ביתו במכסת נפשת איש לפי אכלו תכסו על השה׃

Greek: εαν δε ολιγοστοι ωσιν οι εν τη οικια ωστε μη ικανους ειναι εις προβατον συλλημψεται μεθ εαυτου τον γειτονα τον πλησιον αυτου κατα αριθμον ψυχων εκαστος το αρκουν αυτω συναριθμησεται εις προβατον

Brenton: And if they be few in a household, so that there are not enough for the lamb, he shall take with himself his neighbour that lives near to him, —as to the number of souls, every one according to that which suffices him shall make a reckoning for the lamb.

Jeremiah 6:21

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KJV: Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

Hebrew: לכן כה אמר יהוה הנני נתן אל העם הזה מכשלים וכשלו בם אבות ובנים יחדו שכן ורעו יאבדו׃

Greek: δια τουτο ταδε λεγει κυριος ιδου εγω διδωμι επι τον λαον τουτον ασθενειαν και ασθενησουσιν εν αυτη πατερες και υιοι αμα γειτων και ο πλησιον αυτου απολουνται

Brenton: Therefore thus says the Lord, Behold, I will bring weakness upon this people, and the fathers and sons shall be weak together; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.