Leviticus 18 30

Leviticus 18:30 kjv

Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:30 nkjv

'Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the LORD your God.' "

Leviticus 18:30 niv

Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.'?"

Leviticus 18:30 esv

So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God."

Leviticus 18:30 nlt

So obey my instructions, and do not defile yourselves by committing any of these detestable practices that were committed by the people who lived in the land before you. I am the LORD your God."

Leviticus 18 verses

Leviticus 18 30 Meaning

Leviticus 18:30 serves as a powerful concluding warning to the preceding list of forbidden sexual relationships and detestable customs. It unequivocally commands Israel to meticulously observe God's statutes, specifically abstaining from the morally repugnant and idolatrous practices of the nations surrounding them (Egypt and Canaan). Disobedience to these divine mandates would lead to spiritual and physical defilement, ultimately resulting in their expulsion from the land God promised. The verse underscores God's absolute authority and His demand for holiness from His covenant people, setting them apart from pagan nations whose depravity incurred divine judgment.

Leviticus 18 30 Context

Leviticus chapter 18, often referred to as the "Holiness Code," outlines a series of stringent laws designed to distinguish Israel from the corrupt moral and religious practices of their pagan neighbors, particularly the Egyptians and the Canaanites. The chapter details prohibitions against various forms of incest, bestiality, child sacrifice (specifically to Molech), and homosexual acts, categorizing them as "abominations." The cultural context reveals widespread practices of idolatry and ritualistic immorality among the Canaanite peoples, including cult prostitution and human sacrifice, which the Lord abhorred. Verse 30 serves as a crucial theological summation, framing the preceding prohibitions not merely as rules, but as an integral part of Israel's covenant obligation to be a holy nation consecrated to YHVH. It reiterates that failure to adhere to these divine ordinances would lead to the very land "vomiting out" its inhabitants, just as it had done to the Canaanites due to their grievous sins, thereby connecting moral purity directly to their national security and dwelling in the Promised Land. This directly counters the pagan worldview where gods often endorsed or even demanded such practices, presenting YHVH as uniquely holy and demanding righteousness from His people.

Leviticus 18 30 Word analysis

• Therefore (וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם - ūsh’mar’tem): The Hebrew conjunction "וּ" (u), meaning "and/therefore," connects this verse as a concluding imperative directly flowing from the preceding prohibitions. It signifies a logical consequence or summation.
• you shall keep (שָׁמַרְתֶּם - shamartem): This verb means to guard, observe, watch over, or be diligent. It denotes an active, continuous observance, implying careful adherence to God's commands and safeguarding them from corruption. This isn't passive agreement but active obedience.
• My ordinance (מִשְׁמַרְתִּי - mishmarti): Literally "My charge" or "My observance." This noun, related to "shamartem," refers to the entire set of statutes, decrees, and charges outlined throughout Leviticus 18 and beyond, embodying the specific ethical and cultic standards required by God. It emphasizes that these laws are God's divine expectations for Israel.
• that you commit (תַעֲשׂוּ - ta'asu): A verb meaning "you shall do" or "you shall make." In this negative construction, it emphasizes abstaining from active participation or performance of these illicit deeds.
• none of these (מִכָּל־הַחֻקּוֹת - mikol-hachukot): The emphasis is on absolute prohibition—none whatsoever—underscoring the comprehensive nature of the divine command against these practices.
• abominable customs (הַתּוֹעֲבֹת - hat’toe'voth): The plural of to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה), meaning something detestable, abominable, or abhorrent to God. This term in the Old Testament is often associated with idolatry, ritual impurity, and sexual perversions, which are antithetical to God's nature and covenant. It denotes an act or object that utterly offends God's moral character and holiness, demanding a decisive separation by His people.
• which were committed before you (לְפָנֵיכֶם - lifaneichem): This refers directly to the inhabitants of the land, specifically the Canaanites, implying that their pervasive immoral practices were a primary cause for their judgment and impending displacement by Israel. It serves as both a warning and a moral lesson from history.
• and that you do not defile yourselves (וְלֹא תִטַּמְּאוּ - v’lo titema’u): Derived from ṭame' (טָמֵא), meaning to become unclean, defiled, or polluted. This defilement is not merely ritualistic but moral and spiritual. Engaging in these "abominable customs" corrupts the individual, the community, and ultimately the land itself, making them unfit for God's presence and holy purposes.
• thereby (בָּהֶם - bahem): Connects the act of defilement directly to the "abominable customs." These practices are the specific source of their impurity.
• I am the LORD your God (אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - ani YHVH Eloheichem): This powerful divine self-attestation acts as a foundational premise and ultimate ground for the commands. "YHVH" (the personal covenant Name of God) speaks to His faithfulness and redemptive power, while "Eloheichem" (your God) emphasizes His exclusive covenant relationship with Israel. It declares His sovereignty, holiness, and the absolute authority behind His ordinances, leaving no room for negotiation or compromise.

• "you shall keep My ordinance, that you commit none of these abominable customs": This phrase links the positive command to observe God's law directly with the negative prohibition against engaging in pagan immorality. It stresses that holiness is not merely avoiding evil but actively living in conformity with divine standards.
• "abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves thereby": This grouping highlights a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The customs of the previous inhabitants were abominable because they defiled both the people and the land. Israel is explicitly warned not to follow this destructive path to avoid the same defilement and judgment.
• "I am the LORD your God": This declarative statement, repeated throughout the Holiness Code, is the bedrock of all the commands in the chapter. It implies that these laws are not arbitrary but reflect the very character of God. Obedience is therefore an act of worship, covenant loyalty, and a recognition of His supreme authority over all aspects of life. It’s a profound theological marker ensuring the source and motivation for adherence is divine.

Leviticus 18 30 Bonus section

The concept of the "land vomiting out" (found also in Lev 18:25, 28, 20:22) is a powerful, anthropomorphic metaphor illustrating the severe consequences of chronic spiritual and moral pollution. It signifies that the very land given by God, intended as a blessed inheritance, would itself reject inhabitants whose depravity made them unfit to dwell within its sacred bounds. This imagery emphasizes the cosmic and pervasive impact of sin—it defiles not just the individual but extends to the physical environment. Furthermore, the meticulous prohibitions in Leviticus 18 (and verse 30's summary) transcend ancient cultural taboos; they reveal God’s timeless design for human relationships, sexuality, and worship. These laws protect society from chaos, uphold the dignity of human life, and establish the foundational principles for a community dedicated to holiness, thereby prefiguring New Covenant principles of moral purity (e.g., in teachings of Jesus and Paul regarding sexual ethics). The absolute contrast between God's "ordinance" and "abominable customs" draws a clear line: there is no moral relativism in God's eyes regarding these issues.

Leviticus 18 30 Commentary

Leviticus 18:30 serves as the theological anchor and climax of a chapter detailing prohibitions against specific forms of sexual immorality and child sacrifice. The command to "keep My ordinance" underscores that the preceding list of prohibitions is not merely a legal code but a divine standard flowing from God's character. By specifically denouncing the "abominable customs" of the Egyptians and Canaanites, the verse highlights the polemic against the pervasive moral and spiritual degradation of surrounding pagan cultures. These practices were intrinsically linked to their false worship, embodying a direct assault on the sanctity of life, the sacredness of human sexuality, and the exclusive worship of YHVH. The consequence of defilement is profound: such sins polluted not only the individual and community but also the land itself, making it unfit for God's holy presence and resulting in the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants, as happened to the previous nations. The repeated affirmation, "I am the LORD your God," establishes God's unique authority, His covenant relationship with Israel, and the absolute imperative for their obedience and holiness. This verse makes it clear that Israel's well-being and continued dwelling in the Promised Land depended directly on their moral and spiritual fidelity to YHVH, distinct from the depravity of the world. It is a timeless call for God's people to maintain purity, setting themselves apart from cultural norms that contradict divine truth, understanding that true life and blessing are found in adherence to God’s holy standards.