Leviticus 19:16

a talebearer Cp. Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 20:19. Jewish teachers frequently insist on the heinousness of slander. See Otho, Lex. Rabb. s.v. Calumnia, and note the rendering of Targ. Jon., -Thou shalt not go after the slanderous (lit. triple) tongue." The epithet -triple" implies that slander affects three persons: the slanderer, the slandered one, and anyone who repeats the slander. See Tal. Bab. - Arachinfol. 15 a, and cp. Sir 28:14 ff. (C.B.) with notes.

stand against the blood of thy neighbour This expression has been differently interpreted: taken in connexion with the preceding warning against being a talebearer, it seems to forbid endangering the life of an innocent man by bearing false witness. Cp. Ezekiel 22:9, part of a passage which describes with verbal similarity many of the evil doings which are forbidden in this ch. and the preceding one. Witnessing truly against a murderer is not forbidden, and Targ. Ps-Jon. explains this clause so as to enforce that duty; -be not silent about thy neighbour's blood, when thou knowest the truth." Another interpretation is, -thou shalt not stand (without rendering help) by the blood of thy neighbour," i.e. when he is in peril of his life.