In biblical terms, the concept of a neighborhood extends beyond mere geographical proximity to encompass the relationships and responsibilities among individuals living in close quarters. The Bible provides guidance on how to interact with neighbors, emphasizing love, kindness, and justice.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding the importance of neighbors. Leviticus 19:18 commands, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This verse underscores the principle of loving one's neighbor, which is central to the ethical teachings of the Bible. The Hebrew word for neighbor, "rea," can refer to a friend, companion, or fellow citizen, indicating a broad application of the term.

The Ten Commandments also address relationships with neighbors. Exodus 20:16-17 warns against bearing false witness and coveting a neighbor's possessions, highlighting the importance of honesty and contentment in maintaining harmonious relationships.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament expands on the Old Testament's teachings about neighbors. Jesus Christ emphasizes the command to love one's neighbor as a fundamental aspect of the law. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus states, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" This teaching elevates the love of neighbor to a position of primary importance, second only to the love of God.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) further illustrates the concept of neighborliness. When asked, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29), Jesus responds with a account that challenges social and ethnic boundaries, demonstrating that a neighbor is anyone in need, regardless of their background. The Samaritan's compassion and action serve as a model for Christian behavior.

Practical Implications

The biblical call to love one's neighbor has practical implications for daily life. It encourages believers to act with kindness, generosity, and fairness. Proverbs 3:29 advises, "Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully beside you." This verse highlights the importance of trust and integrity in neighborhood relationships.

The Apostle Paul reiterates the command to love one's neighbor in Romans 13:9-10, stating, "The commandments... are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." This passage emphasizes that genuine love fulfills the law's requirements and promotes peace and goodwill.

Community and Fellowship

The early Christian communities exemplified the biblical ideal of neighborhood through their fellowship and mutual support. Acts 2:44-47 describes the believers as having "everything in common" and meeting together with glad and sincere hearts. This sense of community reflects the biblical vision of a neighborhood where individuals care for one another's needs and share in each other's joys and burdens.

In summary, the Bible presents a comprehensive view of neighborhood that encompasses love, justice, and community. Believers are called to embody these principles in their interactions with those around them, reflecting the love of Christ in their daily lives.1. (n.) The quality or condition of being a neighbor; the state of being or dwelling near; proximity.

2. (n.) A place near; vicinity; adjoining district; a region the inhabitants of which may be counted as neighbors; as, he lives in my neighborhood.

3. (n.) The inhabitants who live in the vicinity of each other; as, the fire alarmed all the neighborhood.

4. (n.) The disposition becoming a neighbor; neighborly kindness or good will.

4012. peri -- about, concerning, around (denotes place, cause or ...
... case* (1), cause* (1), circumstances* (1), companions* (1), concerning (48), condition*
(1), connection (2), followers* (1), help (1), neighborhood (1), over (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4012.htm - 8k

967. Bethphage -- "house of unripe figs," Bethphage, a village on ...
... Transliteration: Bethphage Phonetic Spelling: (bayth-fag-ay') Short Definition:
Bethphage Definition: Bethphage, a village in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/967.htm - 6k

"Three Years Ago, Sulpitius, at which Time, Leaving this ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter III. "Three years ago, Sulpitius,
at which time, leaving this neighborhood? "Three years ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter iii three years ago.htm

Upon This, Postumianus Exclaims, "Let that Well-Known Man in Our ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XVI. Upon this, Postumianus exclaims,
"Let that well-known man in our immediate neighborhood? ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xvi upon this postumianus.htm

This Wisdom Has Asked Me, How it is Possible for Christian ...
... Address 207: This wisdom has asked me, how it is possible for Christian
kingdoms in the neighborhood? This wisdom has asked me ...
/.../address 207 0 0 this wisdom has.htm

Whether the Judgment Will Take Place in the Valley of Josaphat?
... to be judged. Therefore it is impossible for the judgment to take place
in the neighborhood of that valley. Objection 2: Further ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judgment will take 2.htm

The Holy Scriptures.
... A certain rich man has a number of circulars printed. These circulars he
distributes among the poor of a certain neighborhood. On ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter ii the holy scriptures.htm

Events During the War
... In January, 1862, the Federal soldiers again came to our neighborhood and camped
near the same place where I had first seen them; but, at this time, the scene ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter iv events during the.htm

He Abandons the School-Room. Remarkable Meeting Near Alexandria. ...
... We had not a member in the neighborhood. ... He sent his boys out through the neighborhood
notifying the people, and that night we had about thirty present. ...
/.../chapter xi he abandons the.htm

Whether one Angel Enlightens Another?
... First, by strengthening his intellectual power; for just as the power of an imperfect
body is strengthened by the neighborhood of a more perfect body "-for ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether one angel enlightens another.htm

The Journey through Perea to Jerusalem
... It demands thus that in our conception of the last journey from Galilee room be
found for several excursions to Jerusalem or its neighborhood. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/v the journey through perea.htm

From his Return to England in 1824, to the Commencement of his ...
... The acquaintance which I have made with many dear and valued Friends in the
neighborhood of London has, I hope, been a little strength to me in the best things ...
/.../chapter v from his return.htm

Neighborhood (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A place near; vicinity; adjoining district; a region the inhabitants of
which may be counted as neighbors; as, he lives in my neighborhood. ...
/n/neighborhood.htm - 8k

Enrogel (4 Occurrences)
... fuller"): No argument from this meaning can be valid because (1) it is a very doubtful
rendering and (2) "fulling" vats are common in the neighborhood of most ...
/e/enrogel.htm - 15k

En-rogel (4 Occurrences)
... fuller"): No argument from this meaning can be valid because (1) it is a very doubtful
rendering and (2) "fulling" vats are common in the neighborhood of most ...
/e/en-rogel.htm - 15k

Kiriathjearim
... For example, Josephus (Ant., VI, i, 4) says it was a city in the neighborhood of
Beth-shemesh, while Eusebius and Jerome (Onomasticon) speak of it ...
/k/kiriathjearim.htm - 13k

Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences)
... For example, Josephus (Ant., VI, i, 4) says it was a city in the neighborhood of
Beth-shemesh, while Eusebius and Jerome (Onomasticon) speak of it ...
/k/kiriath-jearim.htm - 19k

Upland (4 Occurrences)
... swamp, interval, and the like. 2. (n.) The country, as distinguished from
the neighborhood of towns. 3. (a.) of or pertaining to ...
/u/upland.htm - 8k

Lud (10 Occurrences)
... the Babylonian script, may be regarded as supporting this statement, and that there
were other colonies of the same nationality in the neighborhood is implied ...
/l/lud.htm - 13k

Ludim (3 Occurrences)
... the Babylonian script, may be regarded as supporting this statement, and that there
were other colonies of the same nationality in the neighborhood is implied ...
/l/ludim.htm - 11k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... but that they go back to the time claimed is impossible, for Josephus states (BJ,
VI, i, 1) that Titus cut down all the trees in the neighborhood of Jerusalem ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

Presence (527 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The place in which one is present; the part of space within one's ken, call,
influence, etc.; neighborhood without the intervention of anything that ...
/p/presence.htm - 39k

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