Leviticus 20 23

Leviticus 20:23 kjv

And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

Leviticus 20:23 nkjv

And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them.

Leviticus 20:23 niv

You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.

Leviticus 20:23 esv

And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.

Leviticus 20:23 nlt

Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them.

Leviticus 20 verses

Leviticus 20 23 Meaning

Leviticus 20:23 instructs Israel not to adopt or follow the established practices, decrees, or way of life of the nations God was expelling from the land before them. The reason for this prohibition is clearly stated: these nations committed detestable acts, and because of their depraved customs and actions, the Lord expressed His deep revulsion and disgust towards them, leading to their expulsion. This verse underscores the necessity of Israel's separation and distinctness from pagan cultures.

Leviticus 20 23 Context

Leviticus chapter 20 specifically outlines the penalties for violating various divine laws, particularly those pertaining to sexual immorality, child sacrifice to Molech, and mediumship, reinforcing the overarching theme of holiness (Lev 20:7-8, 20:26). This chapter is part of the "Holiness Code" (Lev 17-26), emphasizing the distinct purity required of God's chosen people. Leviticus 20:23 appears as a concluding summary and reinforcement following a list of detestable practices and their prescribed punishments. It grounds the call to Israel's holiness in the moral failure of the Canaanite nations. Historically, Israel was on the brink of entering the land of Canaan, where these nations, known for their abhorrent customs (e.g., child sacrifice, widespread cultic prostitution, bestiality), resided. The verse serves as a crucial warning against adopting their degenerate practices, which would contaminate the land and separate Israel from their holy God.

Leviticus 20 23 Word analysis

• And you shall not walk: Hebrew: וְלֹא תֵלְכוּ (v'lo teileku). The word "walk" (halak) signifies not merely physical movement but a manner of life, conduct, or way of living. It implies adherence to a certain path or philosophy. The negative command forbids conformity or imitation.

• in the customs: Hebrew: בְּחֻקֹּת (b'chukkot). This word, from choq (חֹק), refers to statutes, decrees, or ordinances. It encompasses established laws, religious rites, societal norms, and cultural practices. Here, it specifically denotes the pagan and immoral practices that defined the Canaanite societies. This indicates a deep-seated cultural rejection, not just avoiding isolated acts.

• of the nation: Hebrew: הַגּוֹי (ha-goy). The definite article "the" points to a specific entity or group. While goy can simply mean "nation" or "people," in the Old Testament, particularly in contrast to Israel, it often refers to gentile, pagan nations who did not know or worship Yahweh, often associated with moral corruption. Here, it explicitly refers to the various Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land.

• which I am casting out: Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מְשַׁלֵּחַ (asher ani meshaleyach) or more accurately in some texts מְגָרֵשׁ (megareesh from garash). This signifies forceful expulsion, dispossessing them from their land. It emphasizes God's sovereign action in judgment. This removal is not arbitrary but a righteous consequence of their moral failures.

• before you: This implies God's direct, providential intervention, paving the way for Israel's inheritance of the land. It highlights divine initiative.

• for they committed all these things: Hebrew: כִּי אֵת כָּל־אֵלֶּה עָשׂוּ (ki et kol-elleh asu). This phrase serves as the explicit justification for God's judgment. "All these things" refers to the detestable practices detailed earlier in chapters 18 and 20 (e.g., child sacrifice, incest, adultery, bestiality). Their widespread and persistent transgression brought divine wrath.

• and therefore I abhorred them: Hebrew: וָאֶקּוֹץ אוֹתָם (va'eqqotz otam). The verb qoots (קוץ) means to feel a deep loathing, disgust, or abhorrence, to be utterly wearied or vexed by something. This is a powerful expression of God's holy indignation against sin. It underscores the severity of their actions and the moral purity of God. His abhorrence is a just response to utter depravity, signifying separation and ultimate judgment.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "You shall not walk in the customs of the nation": This phrase sets up a fundamental principle of separation. Israel is not merely to avoid certain acts, but their entire way of life, their culture, and their norms must be distinct from those of the surrounding pagan peoples. This is a call for cultural and ethical distinctiveness as a holy people.
  • "which I am casting out before you; for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them": This entire clause provides the theological foundation for the command. God's act of expulsion is righteous judgment based on the severe sinfulness of the nations. Israel's non-conformity is rooted in God's character (holiness) and His judgment on sin. They are not just replacing one set of customs with another, but actively participating in God's just decree against moral depravity. Their distinctness reflects God's own holiness and His just judgment against unholiness.

Leviticus 20 23 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a crucial aspect of biblical theology: God's holiness demands separation and distinction from sin, both individually and corporately. It also establishes the just basis for divine judgment and land dispossession, directly linking sin to consequence. The "abhorrence" of God demonstrates that sin is not merely a violation of rules but an offense against His very nature, eliciting profound divine revulsion. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, culminating in Christ who cleanses His people from the world's pollutions, making them a "holy nation" (1 Pet 2:9). The command is not merely external behavior but an internal rejection of a worldview.

Leviticus 20 23 Commentary

Leviticus 20:23 serves as a pivotal ethical and theological command, concluding a segment on illicit practices with a stark warning against cultural assimilation. It directly links Israel's call to holiness to the consequences of the nations' unholy living. God's people are to be marked by a distinct lifestyle, not by simply refraining from a few specific acts, but by a complete rejection of the values and patterns of thought inherent in pagan societies. The explicit reason—God's profound abhorrence for the total sum of "these things" committed by the Canaanites—highlights the depth of His righteous judgment. This isn't merely about protecting Israel's well-being but about preserving the divine-human covenant and reflecting God's holy character to the world. For Israel, conformity to Canaanite ways would not only lead to moral defilement but would also make them equally susceptible to divine expulsion from the land. This principle of separation remains eternally relevant: believers are called to be in the world but not of it, reflecting God's character rather than adopting the world's values (e.g., Rom 12:2; 1 Pet 1:15-16). Practical application could involve evaluating societal trends, entertainment, or ethical stances against biblical teaching, and consciously choosing conformity to Christ rather than cultural norms.