Leviticus 18 2

Leviticus 18:2 kjv

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:2 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:2 niv

"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:2 esv

"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:2 nlt

"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18 verses

Leviticus 18 2 Meaning

Leviticus 18:2 serves as the divine foundation and preamble to a series of crucial moral laws, particularly concerning sexual purity, which Israel is commanded to observe. By declaring "I am the LORD your God," the Creator asserts His absolute authority and sovereignty over His chosen people, emphasizing that the coming statutes originate not from human wisdom or cultural norms, but from His holy and covenantal character. This statement establishes a unique relationship, reminding Israel of their identity as God's special possession and underscoring that obedience to these commands is an act of covenant faithfulness.

Leviticus 18 2 Context

Leviticus 18 opens a section often referred to as the "Holiness Code" (chapters 17-26), specifically shifting from sacrificial laws and purity regulations to moral and ethical purity. Chapter 18 focuses primarily on sexual prohibitions and the sanctity of marriage and family. Verse 2 functions as the introductory, authoritative statement for the entire chapter's moral commands. The Israelites, having recently been delivered from Egypt and about to enter Canaan, were surrounded by pagan cultures with practices starkly different from God's holy standards, particularly in areas of sexuality, cultic prostitution, and child sacrifice (cf. Lev 18:3, 21, 24-30). This preamble sets God's commands as distinct and supreme against these "customs" of the land.

Leviticus 18 2 Word analysis

• "Speak" (דַּבֵּר - dabbēr): An imperative verb, emphasizing a direct, authoritative command from God. It highlights the divine initiative in communicating these laws.

• "unto the children of Israel" (אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - ʾel-bĕnê yiśrāʾēl): A standard address to the entire covenant community, emphasizing that these laws are for all, collectively and individually. It defines the specific recipient of the divine message.

• "and say unto them" (וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם - wəʾāmartā ʾălēhem): A reinforcing, nearly redundant phrase. This repetition underlines the gravity and importance of the message, ensuring it is both spoken and articulated clearly to the people.

• "I am" (אֲנִי - ʾănî): This pronoun is emphatic in Hebrew, powerfully underscoring the speaker's identity. It connects directly to God's self-revelation ("I AM WHO I AM") at the burning bush (Ex 3:14), signifying His eternal, unchanging nature and sovereign existence.

• "the LORD" (יְהוָה - YHWH): The sacred, ineffable covenant name of God, the Tetragrammaton. This name reveals God as faithful, present, and actively involved with His people in covenant relationship. It is the name associated with His redemptive acts (e.g., Exodus) and His commitment to His promises.

• "your God" (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - ʾĕlōhêkhem): Derived from Elohim (a general term for God), but with a plural possessive suffix, "your." This emphasizes the unique, exclusive, and intimate covenant relationship between God and Israel. He is not merely a god, but their God, who has chosen them and to whom they belong.

• "Speak...and say unto them": This phrase group emphasizes the directness and intentionality of God's communication to His people. It highlights His desire for them to hear, understand, and obey His explicit commands. It also underscores Moses' role as the divine messenger.

• "I am the LORD your God": This entire phrase forms the foundational theological statement. It is a declaration of identity and authority that prefaces many divine commands throughout the Pentateuch. It serves as:

  1. A Declaration of Sovereignty: God's right to command derives from His ultimate nature as YHWH, the existing One.
  2. A Covenant Reminder: It evokes the covenant relationship established with Israel, emphasizing that these laws are not arbitrary but stem from their unique bond with Him, demanding their exclusive allegiance.
  3. A Basis for Holiness: Because "the LORD your God" is holy (as often reiterated in Leviticus), His people are likewise called to reflect that holiness in their lives and actions, especially concerning moral purity. This identity statement serves as the motivation for obeying the detailed sexual laws that follow, differentiating Israel from the surrounding nations.

Leviticus 18 2 Bonus section

The frequent repetition of "I am the LORD your God" throughout Leviticus and the Pentateuch, especially preceding commands, serves as a powerful theological refrain. It reminds the audience that every command, whether ritual or moral, flows directly from God's identity and His established covenant with them. This phrasing actively contrasts YHWH with the numerous deities worshipped by surrounding cultures, whose moral codes were often lax or perverse in comparison. By stating "I am the LORD your God," the verse implicitly communicates: "Your ethics are not determined by Egypt or Canaan, but by the One true God who has uniquely bound Himself to you." This served as a profound basis for their distinct national and religious identity in a pagan world. This concept also directly translates to Christian theology where the believer's identity as a child of God, and God being the Father, sets the standards for behaviour and spiritual journey (Gal 3:26, 1 John 3:1).

Leviticus 18 2 Commentary

Leviticus 18:2 acts as the bedrock for the ensuing laws on sexual ethics. It grounds human morality in divine revelation and God's intrinsic nature. The assertion "I am the LORD your God" is not merely a formality but a theological cornerstone, emphasizing several critical points: firstly, it identifies the exclusive Lawgiver as YHWH, the self-existent, covenant-keeping God. His commands are therefore universal truths, not cultural preferences. Secondly, "your God" highlights the specific, redemptive relationship He has with Israel, implying that their obedience is an act of faithfulness within that sacred bond, distinguishing them from the immoral practices of the nations around them (Egypt and Canaan). The verse compels Israel to remember their Deliverer and the nature of their belonging to Him, which then dictates how they are to live – in holiness, reflecting His character in every area of life, particularly in the intimate aspects of sexual conduct that follow.

• Example: Just as a child trusts and obeys a loving parent whose rules are for their good, Israel is to trust and obey God's commands out of the relationship, knowing they are rooted in His wisdom and love for their well-being.
• Example: If God is "the LORD your God," then allegiance to Him demands abstention from any practices (like the pagan immorality described in the chapter) that would defile the sacred relationship.