1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God.”
3 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.
4 You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God.
5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.
6 None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord.
7 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is 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, your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether brought up in the family or in another home.
10 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter or of your daughter’s daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness.
11 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, brought up in your father’s family, since she is your sister.
12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s relative.
13 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s relative.
14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother, that is, 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 of her daughter, and you shall not take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter to uncover her nakedness; they are relatives; it is depravity.
18 And you shall not take a woman as a rival wife to her sister, uncovering her nakedness while her sister is still alive.
19 You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness while she is in her menstrual uncleanness.
20 And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor’s wife and so make yourself unclean with her.
21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
23 And you shall not lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal to lie with it: it is perversion.
24 “Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean,
25 And the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.
26 But you shall keep my statutes and my rules and do none of these abominations, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.
27 (for the people of the land, who were before you, did all of these abominations, so that the land became unclean),
28 so that the land will not vomit you out when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.
29 For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people.
30 So you shall keep my charge by not practicing any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and by not defiling yourselves with them: I am the Lord your God.”
The True Meaning of Leviticus 18
The book of Leviticus was written by Moses, the great prophet and leader of the Israelites. Leviticus, the second book in the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible, provides detailed instructions and laws for the Israelite people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. We will explore the Lord’s commands regarding sexual morality and the importance of maintaining purity within the community in this chapter. The passage addresses a range of forbidden relationships and practices, emphasizing the need for the Israelites to distinguish themselves from the immoral ways of the surrounding nations. We will delve into how these teachings serve to protect the sanctity of marriage and family, and uphold the holiness of God’s chosen people.
Throughout this chapter, we will find echoes of the Ten Commandments, particularly the prohibitions against adultery and incest. These laws are not merely arbitrary rules, but rather reflect the divine wisdom and concern for the well-being of the Israelites. The people will be able to live in harmony with God’s plan and avoid the consequences of moral decay that have plagued other societies by heeding these instructions.
Leviticus 18:1-5
The passage in Leviticus 18:1-5 begins with a significant directive from the Lord to Moses. The Lord instructs Moses to speak to the Israelites and tell them: “I am the LORD your God. 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. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.”
This opening section carries a message of distinctive separation and holiness for the Israelites. The Lord is drawing a clear line between the practices of the surrounding pagan cultures (like Egypt and Canaan) and the standards of behavior that He expects from His chosen people. God is emphasizing the importance of obeying His laws and decrees to set His people apart and guide them towards a path of righteousness and moral purity. It serves as a reminder that as believers, we are called to live differently from the ways of the world around us and to uphold God’s commands above all else.
Drawing a parallel from this passage to other parts of the Bible, we can see a similar theme in 1 Peter 1:15-16 which says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” This call to holiness is not just a command given to the Israelites in Leviticus, but it is a timeless principle that Christians are still called to uphold today.
Moving forward in Leviticus 18:6-23, a series of detailed instructions are given to the Israelites regarding sexual immorality. The passage explicitly prohibits various relationships, including incestuous relationships such as with close relatives like parents, siblings, or grandchildren, as well as relationships with aunts, uncles, daughters-in-law, and other forbidden unions. The severity of these prohibitions highlights the importance of maintaining purity and upholding the sanctity of relationships within the community.
Throughout these verses, the underlying message is clear: God’s design for human relationships is holy and should be respected. God is protecting the sacredness of family bonds and ensuring that His people live in a way that honors Him by outlining these restrictions. This focus on sexual purity reflects God’s desire for His people to live in accordance with His moral standards, even in a culture that may promote a different set of values. Verse like 1 Corinthians 6:18 in the New Testament reaffirm the importance of sexual purity, warning to “Flee from sexual immorality.” All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” This echoes the sentiments expressed in Leviticus, emphasizing the significance of upholding God’s standards in matters of sexuality and relationships.
Leviticus 18:6-18
The passage in Leviticus 18:6-18 provides a detailed list of prohibited sexual relationships within the Israelite community. The verse begins by stating, “None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover nakedness.” This sets the tone for the subsequent prohibitions against incest, outlining the boundaries within which sexual relations are deemed sinful and forbidden by God.
The concept of uncovering nakedness in this context refers to engaging in sexual relations with certain close family members. The list includes prohibitions against relationships with one’s parents, siblings, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and even step-siblings. The passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and sanctity within the family unit by clearly delineating these boundaries.
One key element to note in this passage is the explicit mention of a father’s nakedness and a mother’s nakedness. This imagery is significant in biblical literature as it carries layers of meaning beyond the literal interpretation. For example, in Genesis, the story of Noah’s nakedness and his son’s response carries symbolic weight, hinting at themes of respect, honor, and shame (Genesis 9:22-23).
The passage also addresses the issue of polygamy, as seen in the prohibition against marrying a woman along with her sister. This reflects a rejection of the cultural practices prevalent in the ancient Near East and emphasizes the importance of monogamous relationships as ordained by God.
Furthermore, the passage goes on to forbid sexual relations with a woman during her menstrual period. This aligns with the broader theme of purity and cleanliness within the Israelite community, as outlined in various laws and regulations in the book of Leviticus. The menstrual cycle was considered a time of impurity, and engaging in sexual intercourse during this period was seen as defiling. Leviticus 18:6-18 underscores the importance of maintaining moral and sexual purity within the community of Israel. The passage seeks to uphold the sanctity of marriage, preserve family integrity, and reinforce the moral fabric of Israelite society by setting clear boundaries and guidelines for sexual relationships. This emphasis on moral purity and obedience to God’s commandments is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the divine standard of holiness that believers are called to uphold (1 Peter 1:16).
Leviticus 18:19-23
The verses in Leviticus 18:19-23 prohibit various forms of sexual immorality within the Israelite community.
Starting with verse 19, it states, “Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.” This commandment reflects the strict purity laws that the Israelites were required to follow. The emphasis here is on maintaining ritual purity and respecting the female body during her menstrual cycle. The idea of abstaining from sexual relations during menstruation was a common practice in many ancient societies. This act was not only about physical cleanliness but also about spiritual symbolism, marking a time of separation and renewal.
Moving on to verse 20, it states, “Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.” Adultery was a severe offense in Jewish law as it violated the sanctity of marriage and the trust between individuals. This commandment stemmed from the Ten Commandments given to Moses, specifically, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). It underlines the importance of fidelity, trust, and respecting the sacred institution of marriage. The consequences of adultery were severe and carried heavy penalties as it not only brought dishonor to the individuals involved but also to the community.
Verse 21 states, “Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.” This verse specifically addresses the detestable practice of child sacrifice to the pagan god Molek. The worship of Molek involved offering children as burnt sacrifices, which was strictly forbidden in God’s eyes. This commandment reveals the heinous nature of such rituals and emphasizes the sanctity of life. It also serves as a reminder to the Israelites to worship the one true God and not engage in the abominable practices of the surrounding pagan nations.
Continuing to verse 22, it states, “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” This verse addresses the issue of homosexual behavior, denouncing it as an abomination. For the Israelites, the prohibition against homosexual acts was a clear boundary set by God regarding sexual morality. This verse is in alignment with the broader biblical teachings on sexuality and marriage, where the union between a man and a woman is emphasized as the divine design for human relationships.
Lastly, verse 23 reads, “Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.” This commandment condemns bestiality as a perversion and a violation of God’s order for creation. The idea of humans engaging in sexual acts with animals was considered not only morally corrupt but also a distortion of God’s intended order for sexuality and relationships. Leviticus 18:19-23 covers a range of sexual prohibitions aimed at preserving holiness, purity, and respect within the community of Israel. These laws set boundaries for sexual conduct, emphasizing the sacredness of marriage, the sanctity of life, and the importance of upholding God’s moral standards in all aspects of life. The underlying message is one of reverence for God’s commands and a call to live in accordance with His divine principles.
Leviticus 18:24-30
God commands the Israelites not to defile themselves by following the practices of the nations that He is driving out before them in Leviticus 18:24-30. This section of the text highlights the importance of obedience to God’s laws and the rejection of sinful practices. The nations mentioned here were engaged in detestable acts such as incest, adultery, and child sacrifice. God explicitly warns the Israelites that these actions had polluted the land and caused it to vomit out its inhabitants. This imagery signifies the utter moral corruption that had permeated those nations, leading to their destruction.
The emphasis on the purity of the land and people in this passage underscores God’s holiness and the absolute necessity for His people to walk in righteousness. God was setting apart the Israelites as a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding cultures by forbidding these sinful practices. The Israelites were called to be a light to the nations, reflecting God’s character through their obedience and faithfulness.
This commandment in Leviticus 18 echoes throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and distinct from the world. Believers in Romans 12:2 are urged not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This call to holiness is a consistent theme in Scripture, reminding us that as followers of Christ, we are called to live in a manner that glorifies Him and reflects His character.
The consequences of disobedience in Leviticus 18 are severe, as God warns that participating in these sinful practices would result in being cut off from His presence. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience and the serious nature of sin in the eyes of God. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals and nations who faced the consequences of their disobedience, underscoring the need for repentance and a return to God’s ways. Leviticus 18:24-30 ultimately teaches us the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God, following His commandments, and avoiding the sinful practices of the world. We honor God, demonstrate our love for Him, and serve as a witness to those around us by doing so.
After Leviticus 18
The Lord had spoken to Moses, laying out the laws and statutes that the Israelites were to follow. He had made it clear that they were to avoid the practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites, and to instead walk in the ways of the Lord. The chapter had covered a range of forbidden sexual relations, from incest to adultery. It was a sobering reminder of the holiness that God required of His people. The reverend closed the book, knowing that the next chapter would delve even deeper into the moral code established by the Lord. The Israelites were to be a people set apart, a shining example of righteousness in a world that had fallen into darkness. The road ahead would not be easy, but with God’s guidance, they would find the strength to overcome the temptations that surrounded them.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.