Leviticus 17 7

Leviticus 17:7 kjv

And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

Leviticus 17:7 nkjv

They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations." '

Leviticus 17:7 niv

They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.'

Leviticus 17:7 esv

So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

Leviticus 17:7 nlt

The people must no longer be unfaithful to the LORD by offering sacrifices to the goat idols. This is a permanent law for them, to be observed from generation to generation.

Leviticus 17 verses

Leviticus 17 7 Meaning

Leviticus 17:7 mandates that the Israelites were no longer to offer their sacrifices to "goat-demons," entities to which they had committed spiritual infidelity, acting as a harlot. This prohibition was established as a perpetual statute binding for them and their descendants throughout all generations. It directly forbids syncretistic or idolatrous worship, demanding exclusive allegiance to the one true God, YHWH, through proper sacrificial procedures.

Leviticus 17 7 Context

Leviticus chapter 17 is crucial for understanding the sanctity of blood and the proper location for sacrifice within Israelite worship. Before this chapter, sacrificial laws focused on how to offer various sacrifices. Chapter 17, however, addresses where and to whom sacrifices are offered. It prohibits all slaughtering of clean animals, even for food, outside the tabernacle, thereby centralizing all animal handling at the legitimate altar. This measure was a direct response to the prevalent pagan practices, inherited or observed from surrounding cultures like the Egyptians and Canaanites, which often involved sacrificing "out in the open field" or to local deities, nature spirits, or malevolent entities. Verse 7 specifically condemns sacrificing to "goat-demons," establishing a boundary for faithful worship.

Leviticus 17 7 Word analysis

• And they shall no more (וְלֹ֥א עוֹד֙ - wə·lō ʿōwḏ): This phrase emphasizes an absolute cessation, a definitive stopping of a past or current practice. It signifies a complete break from prior behaviors.
• offer their sacrifices (יִזְבְּח֣וּ אֶת־זִבְחֵיהֶם֩ - yiz·bə·ḥū ’eṯ-ziv·ḥê·hem):
  • Yizbəḥu (from zabach) refers to the act of slaughtering and sacrificing.
  • Zivcheihem (from zebach) refers to the animal sacrifices themselves. The emphasis is on "their" sacrifices, indicating the previous, unauthorized sacrifices that the Israelites offered.
• to demons (לַשְּׂעִירִ֖ם - las·śə·‘î·rîm): This is a key term.
  • From the Hebrew root śeʿîr (sa'ir), literally meaning "hairy one" or "he-goat."
  • In a religious context, it refers to goat-demons, satyrs, or field spirits. These were believed by some ancient peoples to inhabit desolate places and were often associated with idolatry and malevolent powers. Some interpretations link them to specific demonic entities or simply to false gods depicted with goat-like features, or rituals involving goats.
  • The use of śeʿîr here highlights the specific form of idolatry involving these wild, hairy goat-like spirits. This points to common ancient Near Eastern pagan practices, where such deities or spirits might have been invoked for fertility, protection, or through superstitious fear.
• after whom (אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם - ’ă·šer ’aḥ·ă·rê·hem): Literally "who behind them" or "after them." It describes following or going after something or someone, indicating devotion or adherence to. In this context, it implies pursuit of or loyalty to these entities.
• they have prostituted themselves (הֵ֣ם זֹנִ֑ים - hēm zō·nîm):
  • From the verb zanah, meaning "to commit fornication," "to act as a harlot," or "to be unfaithful."
  • Used here as a powerful spiritual metaphor for idolatry. Just as a wife's infidelity breaks the marital covenant, Israel's worship of other gods (here, demons) breaks their covenant with YHWH, portraying it as an act of profound spiritual betrayal and defilement.
  • The term emphasizes the illicit and debasing nature of idolatry.
• This shall be a statute forever (חֻקַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֛ם - ḥuq·qaṯ ‘ōw·lām):
  • Ḥuqqat (from choq) refers to a prescribed custom, decree, or ordinance. It implies a non-negotiable, binding law.
  • Olam signifies "perpetuity," "forever," "for an indefinite duration," or "for all time."
  • The phrase underlines the eternal and unchanging nature of this commandment, stressing its enduring validity across all generations of Israel.
• for them throughout their generations (לָהֶ֛ם לְדֹרֹתָֽם - lā·hem lə·ḏō·rō·ṯām): This further reinforces the perpetuity of the statute, explicitly stating its application to every succeeding generation within Israel, from that day forward.

Leviticus 17 7 Bonus section

The prohibition against śeʿîrîm may also touch upon certain magical or superstitious practices prevalent in antiquity, where sacrifices were made to localized spirits of the wilderness or places to ward off harm or seek benefit outside of God's prescribed means. These beings were considered impure and connected to desolate places (cf. Isa 13:21, 34:14, where wild goats or satyr-like creatures are associated with ruins and desolation). Thus, sacrificing to them represented not only theological disloyalty but also ritual impurity. The verse acts as a vital guardrail, ensuring not just proper worship location, but also proper worship object, reinforcing the centrality of YHWH as the sole recipient of Israel's sacrifices and devotion.

Leviticus 17 7 Commentary

Leviticus 17:7 is a profound declaration against syncretism and idolatry, articulating the covenant demand for exclusive allegiance to YHWH. Following the general command to offer all sacrifices only at the tabernacle (Lev 17:3-6), this verse provides a specific prohibition and the rationale for it: to prevent Israelites from offering sacrifices to "goat-demons," practices indicative of spiritual harlotry. The "goat-demons" (sa'irim) likely refer to specific pagan deities or malevolent spirits worshipped in the form of, or associated with, wild goats or satyr-like figures prevalent in ancient Near Eastern religions.

The metaphorical language of "prostituting themselves" highlights the depth of Israel's unfaithfulness when they engage in idolatry. It vividly portrays their covenant relationship with God as a marriage, and any turning to other gods as an act of betrayal and spiritual adultery. This command serves to separate Israel distinctly from the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, asserting the holiness of God and His unique claim on His people. Furthermore, by declaring this a "statute forever," the verse underscores the enduring nature of God's demand for exclusive worship and His condemnation of any form of idolatry, emphasizing that such betrayal carries timeless consequences for all who would follow God. This foundational principle is reiterated throughout the biblical narrative, culminating in the New Testament warnings against spiritual adultery and demonic influences.