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Leviticus 18

Read Leviticus 18 (WEB)+

1Yahweh said to Moses, 2“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am Yahweh your God. 3You 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, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. 4You shall do my ordinances, and you shall keep my statutes, and walk in them: I am Yahweh your God. 5You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances; which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am Yahweh. 6“‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Yahweh. 7“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness. 8“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness. 9“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home, or born abroad. 10“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness: for theirs is your own nakedness. 11“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister. 12“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister: she is your father’s near kinswoman. 13“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister: for she is your mother’s near kinswoman. 14“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother, you shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt. 15“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law: she is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness. 16“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness. 17“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness. 18“‘You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive. 19“‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness. 20“‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her. 21“‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh. 22“‘You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman. That is detestable. 23“‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion. 24“‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. 25The land was defiled: therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you; 27(for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled); 28that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. 29“‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Yahweh your God.’”

World English Bible (public domain)

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Leviticus 18:22

Summary

Leviticus chapter 18 focuses on moral and sexual conduct, laying out specific prohibitions regarding various illicit relationships. God speaks to the Israelites, urging them to avoid the practices of the surrounding nations, which often included forms of incest, adultery, and homosexual relationships. The chapter establishes a clear standard for holiness that reflects God's own character, emphasizing the importance of maintaining distinctiveness as His chosen people. This is meant to guide the community in their covenant relationship with God, reinforcing the idea that their actions have consequences and that they must strive to live lives that honor Him.

Key Themes

HolinessCovenant IdentityMoral ConductDistinction from Surrounding Cultures

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Leviticus 18: frequently asked questions

What is Leviticus 18 about?+
Leviticus chapter 18 focuses on moral and sexual conduct, laying out specific prohibitions regarding various illicit relationships. God speaks to the Israelites, urging them to avoid the practices of the surrounding nations, which often included forms of incest, adultery, and homosexual relationships. The chapter establishes a clear standard for holiness that reflects God's own character, emphasizing the importance of maintaining distinctiveness as His chosen people. This is meant to guide the community in their covenant relationship with God, reinforcing the idea that their actions have consequences and that they must strive to live lives that honor Him.
What is the key verse in Leviticus 18?+
Leviticus 18:22: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination."
What are the main themes of Leviticus 18?+
The main themes of Leviticus 18 are Holiness, Covenant Identity, Moral Conduct, Distinction from Surrounding Cultures.

Study Notes