Leviticus 11 45

Leviticus 11:45 kjv

For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Leviticus 11:45 nkjv

For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Leviticus 11:45 niv

I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

Leviticus 11:45 esv

For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."

Leviticus 11:45 nlt

For I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 45 Meaning

Leviticus 11:45 asserts God's identity and power as the Divine Deliverer who redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage, a foundational act establishing His covenant relationship with them ("to be your God"). This redemptive act and His intrinsic holy nature are the sole reasons why He commands His people to also "be holy." Holiness for Israel is not arbitrary or earned, but a response and reflection of God's character and His salvific work.

Leviticus 11 45 Context

Leviticus chapter 11 primarily outlines the detailed dietary laws, distinguishing between "clean" and "unclean" animals. These regulations govern what the Israelites could and could not eat, marking them as distinct from surrounding nations. Verse 45 serves as the theological summary and culmination of this chapter. It elevates these seemingly mundane regulations beyond mere legalisms, grounding them in the very character and redemptive history of God. The broader context of Leviticus emphasizes the presence of a holy God among His people and the necessity for their holiness in all aspects of life – ritual, moral, and social – to maintain this relationship and access His presence. It reflects God's desire for Israel to be a consecrated nation, separate from pagan defilement, demonstrating His purity to the world.

Leviticus 11 45 Word analysis

• For: (כי, ki) This particle introduces the reason or basis for the preceding command to be holy. It implies causation: "because," or "indeed."

• I am the LORD: (אני יהוה, ani Yahweh) This is God's personal, covenant name. It signifies His absolute sovereignty, unchanging nature, and faithfulness to His promises. The repetition emphasizes divine authority and self-revelation, leaving no room for doubt about the source of the command.

• that bringeth you up: (הַמַּעֲלֶה אֶתְכֶם, hamma'aleh etkhem) This verb in the causative stem (Hiphil) emphasizes God's active role as the agent of liberation. It's more than just "taking out"; it suggests "elevating" or "exalting" Israel from a low state of bondage to a position of distinction.

• out of the land of Egypt: (מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, me'eretz Mitzrayim) This specifies the historical act of redemption – the Exodus. It's the defining event of Israel's national identity and the demonstration of God's mighty power over false gods and oppressive powers. This deliverance forms the historical foundation for all subsequent covenant demands.

• to be your God: (לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים, lihyot lakhem le'Elohim) This phrase signifies the covenant relationship established at Sinai. God’s redemptive act of bringing them out of Egypt had a profound purpose: for Him to enter into a unique, exclusive, and reciprocal relationship with them. It implies loyalty, devotion, and obedience as a consecrated people. This is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.

• and ye shall therefore be holy: (וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִׁים, vih'yitem kedoshim) This is the direct command. "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) means "set apart," "consecrated," "distinct," "pure." It implies separation from commonness and defilement, dedication to God, and reflection of His character. It's not a suggestion but a requirement stemming from their new status as God's redeemed people. The word "therefore" is implied, connecting their state of being (holy) to God's actions and nature.

• for I am holy: (כִּי אֲנִי קָדוֹשׁ, ki ani qadosh) This is the ultimate, non-negotiable reason. God's intrinsic and eternal nature is holiness. He is utterly distinct from all creation, pure, morally perfect, and set apart. Israel's holiness is a mandated reflection of His inherent holiness. This is the divine standard and the unchangeable benchmark for their existence.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt": This phrase succinctly captures God's identity (Yahweh), His historical power demonstrated in the Exodus, and the active redemptive nature of His relationship with Israel. It connects the covenant command directly to His unparalleled past deeds.
  • "to be your God, and ye shall therefore be holy": This highlights the core covenant relationship and its natural outcome. God desires a special, intimate bond, and the reciprocal expectation is that His people will live in a way that is distinctly consecrated to Him. The purpose of redemption is relationship and subsequent transformed living.
  • "for I am holy": This serves as the divine ground and unwavering motive for all holiness commanded. Israel’s holiness is not for their own merit or self-aggrandizement, but fundamentally rooted in God's perfect and distinctive nature. It's a reflection, not an original attribute of humanity.

Leviticus 11 45 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on "I am the LORD" and "I am holy" within the book of Leviticus is not merely formulaic; it acts as an emphatic divine signature, asserting ultimate authority and unchanging character. It counters any potential misconception that the numerous laws in Leviticus were arbitrary or burdensome, asserting that they flowed directly from the very essence of the One who established the covenant and delivered Israel. The verse links holiness directly to salvation history (Exodus), reminding Israel that their separation and consecration are not earned but are a grateful response to divine grace and power. This deep connection ensures that the concept of holiness is seen not as legalistic obligation but as a profound outworking of identity and relationship with a perfectly pure God.

Leviticus 11 45 Commentary

Leviticus 11:45 articulates the profound theological basis for Israel's entire system of laws and existence. It weaves together the core elements of divine identity, historical redemption, covenant relationship, and the ultimate reason for God's demands: His intrinsic holiness. The dietary laws in this chapter are thus not arbitrary rules for hygiene or cultural distinction but are embedded within a much grander narrative of salvation and sanctification. God liberated Israel from the moral and spiritual uncleanness of Egypt precisely "to be their God" – to enter into an exclusive covenant of communion. The implication is clear: a people belonging to a holy God must live distinctively, mirroring His purity in all aspects of life, from their diet to their deeds. This command transcends external conformity; it calls for an internal separation that naturally manifests in external behaviors, all predicated on the character of their Redeemer.

Examples of practical usage derived from this principle:

• Choosing how to live (e.g., diet, entertainment, relationships) should be based on God's character and His redemptive work for us.
• Understanding that moral standards are not merely arbitrary rules but are reflections of God's holy nature.
• Acknowledging that our separation from worldly defilements is not about self-righteousness, but about living distinctively as those belonging to God.