Leviticus 18 3

Leviticus 18:3 kjv

After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.

Leviticus 18:3 nkjv

According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances.

Leviticus 18:3 niv

You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.

Leviticus 18:3 esv

You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes.

Leviticus 18:3 nlt

So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life.

Leviticus 18 verses

Leviticus 18 3 Meaning

Leviticus 18:3 commands the Israelites to completely shun the immoral practices and customs of both Egypt, where they had been enslaved, and Canaan, the land they were about to inherit. This prohibition is foundational to Israel's identity as a holy nation, setting them apart from the pagan societies around them. It emphasizes not only abstaining from specific forbidden acts (deeds) but also rejecting the entire lifestyle and legal framework (statutes) that underpinned those societies, aligning their lives solely with the Lord's commands.

Leviticus 18 3 Context

Leviticus chapter 18, commonly known as the "Holiness Code," begins with a stark command for Israel to remain distinct from surrounding nations. This verse serves as the preamble to a detailed list of prohibited sexual relationships and cultic practices (verses 6-23). The historical context places Israel on the threshold of entering Canaan, having just been delivered from Egypt. The chapter frames these moral prohibitions as crucial for Israel's identity and their continued habitation in the promised land, asserting that the land itself "vomits out" inhabitants who practice such abominations (Lev 18:28). This entire section is God's directive to establish Israel's ethical and religious distinctiveness in direct contrast to the prevalent societal norms and pagan religious systems of Egypt and Canaan, thereby reinforcing their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the one true God.

Leviticus 18 3 Word analysis

• You shall not do (לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ - lo' ta'asu): This is a strong, negative imperative, emphasizing an absolute prohibition. It signifies not merely avoiding individual acts, but a general abstinence from their pattern of life and actions. This phrasing reflects a legal injunction that carries divine authority.
• according to the deeds (כְּמַעֲשֵׂה - k'ma'aseh): The word ma'aseh (מעשה) refers to works, actions, or practices. In this context, it specifically denotes the characteristic behaviors, customs, and religious/moral practices of the surrounding pagan nations, particularly those associated with idolatry, sexual perversion, and child sacrifice detailed later in the chapter. It implies a total lifestyle rather than just isolated events.
• of the land of Egypt (אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם - eretz Mitzrayim): Egypt represents Israel's past bondage and a system of pagan idolatry, polytheism, and often incestuous royal marriages, as was characteristic of their ruling class. Mentioning Egypt acknowledges the formative influence of their long sojourn there and the lingering temptation to revert to its ways.
• in which you dwelt (בָּהּ יְשַׁבְתֶּם - bah y'shavtem): This highlights their historical exposure to Egyptian practices. Despite their oppression, Israel had lived within and observed these practices, underscoring the necessity of a clear divine command to detach from such cultural conditioning.
• and according to the deeds of the land of Canaan (וּכְמַעֲשֵׂה אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן - ukh'ma'aseh eretz Kena'an): Canaan, the land they are about to enter, represents the future temptation. Canaanite worship involved fertility cults, cultic prostitution, and child sacrifice, which were morally abhorrent to God and posed a direct threat to Israel's distinct worship.
• to which I am bringing you (אֲנִי מֵבִיא אֶתְכֶם - ani mevi'a etkhem): This emphasizes God's active role and sovereignty in leading them to Canaan. The Lord, as the deliverer and giver of the land, has the right and authority to set the moral boundaries for its inhabitants. It also highlights the divine purpose behind their entry: to establish a holy nation.
• nor shall you walk (וּבְחֻקֹּתֵיהֶם לֹא תֵלֵכוּ - uv'khuqoteihem lo' telekhu): The word telekhu (תלכו) from halak (הלך) means "to walk" and is an idiomatic expression for one's way of life, conduct, or manner of living. It implies adherence to a complete system of behavior. This is not just about avoiding specific actions but adopting an entirely different lifestyle.
• in their statutes (בְּחֻקֹּתֵיהֶם - b'khuqoteihem): The word khuqot (חקות) means decrees, ordinances, or established customs/laws. These are the underlying principles, legal systems, and cultural norms that dictated the "deeds" of the Egyptians and Canaanites. This phrase goes beyond outward acts to encompass the moral and legal framework that shaped those societies, contrasting them directly with God's divine law (Torah).

• Words-group Analysis: "deeds of the land of Egypt... deeds of the land of Canaan": This parallelism highlights that Israel is to be a clean break from both their past environment of bondage and their future environment of conquest. It creates a complete moral boundary, cutting off influence from every direction of the world around them. It is a dual prohibition against the ingrained sins of the past and the pervasive sins of the future.
• Words-group Analysis: "nor shall you walk in their statutes": This phrase significantly deepens the command. While "deeds" (ma'aseh) refer to observable actions, "statutes" (khuqot) refers to the underlying ethical frameworks, legal systems, and cultural patterns. Israel was not only to avoid specific behaviors but to reject the entire philosophical and moral foundations that produced such behaviors, opting instead for God's divine principles. This is a comprehensive demand for cultural and spiritual separation.

Leviticus 18 3 Bonus section

The explicit mention of "Egypt" and "Canaan" provides a temporal and geographical sweep. Egypt represents the inherited traditions or patterns that might cling to a people even after deliverance, implying that mere physical separation is insufficient without spiritual and moral distinction. Canaan represents the imminent temptations and prevailing cultural norms that would constantly challenge their faithfulness. This creates a powerful framework where Israel must actively and consciously reject both past influences and future corruptions to establish and maintain their unique, God-centered identity. The passage establishes that God’s standard for Israel's morality and ethical behavior transcended any human cultural norm, whether ancient or contemporary. This highlights a universal truth: God’s people are called to be counter-cultural, their lives governed by divine law, not human customs.

Leviticus 18 3 Commentary

Leviticus 18:3 is a foundational statement on Israel's identity and calling as God's chosen people. It introduces the specific prohibitions that follow by establishing a broad principle: complete moral and religious separation from the surrounding pagan cultures of Egypt and Canaan. The verse draws a clear boundary, asserting that God's people must not emulate the "deeds" (outward practices, especially idolatrous and immoral acts) nor "walk in the statutes" (adopt the underlying ethical systems and legal principles) of these nations. This command underscores God's holiness as the basis for Israel's own required holiness, differentiating their worship and conduct from the prevailing abominations. Their adherence to God's law was critical not only for their purity but also for their ability to remain in the Promised Land. This principle extends to believers today, emphasizing the need for distinctive living in alignment with God's Word rather than conforming to the ungodly ways of the world.