Leviticus 11:44 kjv
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Leviticus 11:44 nkjv
For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
Leviticus 11:44 niv
I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground.
Leviticus 11:44 esv
For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.
Leviticus 11:44 nlt
For I am the LORD your God. You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves with any of these small animals that scurry along the ground.
Leviticus 11 44 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 19:2 | Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. | Direct parallel, God's holiness as basis for human holiness. |
| Lev 20:7 | Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. | Command to sanctify/be holy, based on God's identity. |
| Lev 20:26 | And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. | God's separation of Israel necessitates their holiness. |
| Deut 14:2-3 | For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God... Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. | Israel's holy status connected to dietary distinctions. |
| Psa 99:5 | Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. | God's inherent holiness demands reverence. |
| Isa 6:3 | And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. | Heavenly beings proclaiming God's perfect holiness. |
| Hab 1:13 | Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity. | God's unblemished holiness cannot tolerate sin. |
| Zech 14:20 | In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD... | Prophecy of universal holiness, even in mundane things. |
| Matt 5:48 | Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. | New Testament echo: striving for God's character (perfection/holiness). |
| Luke 1:75 | In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. | Deliverance results in a life lived in holiness. |
| John 17:17 | Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. | Christ's prayer for believers' sanctification by God's Word. |
| Rom 12:1-2 | ...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God... be not conformed to this world... | Call to spiritual worship through consecrated lives. |
| 2 Cor 6:16-17 | ...for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them... and I will be their God. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate... touche not the unclean thing. | Believers as God's temple; call to separate from defilement. |
| 2 Cor 7:1 | Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. | Actively pursue purity in body and spirit out of reverence for God. |
| Eph 1:4 | ...According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: | God's sovereign choice for believers to be holy and blameless. |
| 1 Thes 4:3-7 | For this is the will of God, even your sanctification... that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence... for God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. | God's will for sexual purity and personal holiness. |
| 1 Thes 5:23 | And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | God's complete sanctification of believers. |
| Heb 10:10 | By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. | Christ's sacrifice as the means of sanctification for believers. |
| Heb 12:14 | Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: | The necessity of holiness for relationship with God. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. | Direct quote and reiteration of Lev 19:2 (and parallel to 11:44) for NT believers. |
| 1 John 3:3 | And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. | Hope in Christ's return motivates believers to personal purity. |
Leviticus 11 verses
Leviticus 11 44 Meaning
Leviticus 11:44 serves as a profound theological summary and underlying principle for the purity laws outlined in the chapter and the book of Leviticus. It declares God's holy nature as the absolute foundation and imperative for His people to be holy. Believers are commanded to actively purify and consecrate themselves, maintaining a state of purity that reflects God's character, particularly by abstaining from defiling practices and objects, such as unclean creeping things, which would render them impure in the Lord's sight. This command encompasses both external conduct and an inward state of consecration to the Divine.
Leviticus 11 44 Context
Leviticus chapter 11 details a comprehensive list of animals, birds, and creeping things that are designated as clean or unclean for consumption by the Israelites. This elaborate system of dietary laws was not merely about health but primarily about distinctiveness and holiness. The context is part of God establishing Israel as a priestly nation, set apart from surrounding pagan cultures, whose worship often involved eating animals sacrificed to idols or partaking in promiscuous cultic meals. These laws formed a "hedge of holiness" around the nation, visually and practically demonstrating their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, who is inherently holy. The chapter culminates with verse 44 and its companions (vv. 45-47) summarizing the overarching theological purpose: God's command for His people to be holy because He is holy, tying the external physical distinction (what they eat) to the internal spiritual state (their identity as God's people). This was a polemic against the chaotic and impure practices of the surrounding nations, asserting Yahweh's order and demand for purity.
Word Analysis
- For I am the Lord your God: Hebrew: "Kī 'anī Yahweh 'Elohêkem" (כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם). This phrase establishes the divine authority and the covenantal relationship. "Yahweh" is God's personal covenant name, emphasizing His unique, unchanging, and redeeming character. "Elohêkem" (your God) underscores His intimate connection and proprietary right over Israel. The command for holiness flows directly from His sovereign identity and their special relationship with Him.
- ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, Hebrew: "tiṯqaddəšū" (תִּתְקַדְּשׁוּ). Hithpael imperative, reflexive/reciprocal verb. It means to "make yourselves holy" or "consecrate yourselves." It's an active, ongoing process requiring conscious effort from the people to set themselves apart from common or defiled things and devote themselves to God. This isn't passive but an intentional striving for purity.
- and ye shall be holy; Hebrew: "wîhiyitem qədošīm" (וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִׁים). Simple Qal imperative form of "be" with the adjective "holy." This expresses the result or state of the sanctification process. They are to embody the quality of holiness, not just perform an act. "Qadošīm" means distinct, set apart, consecrated, pure, reflecting the very nature of God.
- for I am holy: Hebrew: "kī 'anī qadoš" (כִּי אֲנִי קָדוֹשׁ). This is the ground or reason for the command. God's inherent, unchanging, and absolute holiness is the ultimate standard and motivation for His people's holiness. It signifies His absolute separation from all that is common, impure, or sinful, demanding a corresponding separation from those who relate to Him.
- neither shall ye defile yourselves Hebrew: "wəlo' tiṭṭam'ū" (וְלֹא תִטַּמְּאוּ). Hithpael imperative, negative form. "Do not make yourselves unclean/impure." This is a direct prohibition, specifying what is to be avoided. It signifies an active choice to stay clear of sources of impurity that would contaminate their sacred status and relationship with God.
- with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Hebrew: "bəḵol-haššereṣ hāroomes ʿal-hā'āreṣ." This specific category of unclean animals from Lev 11, like rodents, lizards, and other small creatures, are given as prominent examples of "unclean things" (ṭāmē', טָמֵא). Touching or eating them conveyed ritual impurity. Beyond the literal meaning, "creeping things" often symbolized disorder, danger, or being lowly, associating with primal chaos or beings not fully within the divine order of creation (e.g., the serpent). This specific avoidance reinforces the broader principle of avoiding any physical or spiritual defilement that compromises their covenantal purity.
Leviticus 11 44 Bonus section
The holiness demanded by God encompasses both ceremonial purity and moral uprightness. The ceremonial laws, such as those regarding clean and unclean foods, served as visible, tangible reminders of Israel's unique status and God's demand for separation from impurity, reflecting spiritual truths. While Christians are no longer bound by these specific ceremonial dietary laws (Acts 10, Rom 14), the underlying principle of seeking purity, living distinctly, and reflecting God's holy character remains foundational (1 Pet 1:15-16). This verse highlights that holiness is not merely a quality of God but a quality He imparts and requires from His people as a response to His nature and covenant.
Leviticus 11 44 Commentary
Leviticus 11:44 distills the essence of God's expectations for His covenant people. It is not simply a rule about diet but a fundamental theological declaration: Israel's very existence and identity are inextricably linked to God's holiness. Because the Almighty God, Yahweh, is utterly pure, distinct, and morally perfect, His people must likewise manifest these qualities. The command to "sanctify yourselves" implies an active pursuit of purity and dedication to God, leading to the desired state of "being holy." This call to reflect God's character is powerfully contrasted with the avoidance of defilement, using the concrete example of "creeping things" to symbolize all that is spiritually contaminating. This principle extends beyond ritual purity, signifying a complete separation from sin and a wholehearted commitment to a life pleasing to God. For believers, this echoes the call to ethical living and progressive sanctification, motivated by Christ's redemptive work and God's Spirit enabling us to grow in Christlikeness.