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Leviticus 18

World English Bible

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. 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. 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, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Leviticus Chapter 18 presents a crucial section of the Mosaic Law, focusing on the moral and ethical conduct expected of the Israelites. This chapter is primarily concerned with prohibitions against various forms of sexual immorality, emphasizing the importance of holiness among God’s people. The chapter begins with God commanding Moses to speak to the Israelites, reminding them that they are to be distinct from the nations around them, as they are chosen to be a holy people. The phrase "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2) encapsulates the call to live in a manner that reflects God's character. #Holiness #MosaicLaw
The chapter outlines specific forbidden relationships, including incest, adultery, and same-sex relations, which are presented as abominations in the sight of God. Each prohibition is accompanied by a warning that such practices were common among the Egyptians and Canaanites, whose land the Israelites were entering. God’s concern is not only for the moral integrity of His people but also for the preservation of the covenant relationship between Him and Israel. The chapter concludes with a stern warning that engaging in these practices would lead to the land becoming defiled, resulting in severe consequences. This chapter serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for obedience to God’s commands, reinforcing the idea that the Israelites are to reflect God's holiness in their lives. #SexualMorality #Covenant

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Referenced by

  1. Genesis 19:32v6Genesis 19:32 describes Lot's daughters' plan to preserve their family line through their father, an act later condemned in Leviticus 18:6-7 as uncovering the nakedness of a close relative.
  2. Numbers 35:33v25Numbers 35:33 emphasizes that bloodshed pollutes the land, a concept also found in Leviticus 18:25, where the land is described as being defiled by the sins of its inhabitants.
  3. 2 Kings 16:3v212 Kings 16:3 describes Ahaz making his son pass through the fire, a practice forbidden in Leviticus 18:21, highlighting his idolatry and disobedience to God's commands.
  4. 2 Kings 21:6v212 Kings 21:6 mentions Manasseh sacrificing his son in the fire, a practice forbidden in Leviticus 18:21, which prohibits giving children to Molech.
  5. 2 Kings 23:10v212 Kings 23:10 mentions the defilement of Topheth, where children were sacrificed to Molech, which is prohibited in Leviticus 18:21.
  6. 2 Chronicles 28:3v21Ahaz's practice of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom is condemned in Leviticus 18:21, highlighting his departure from God's commandments.
  7. 1 Corinthians 5:1v81 Corinthians 5:1 addresses a case of sexual immorality involving a man and his father's wife, which is explicitly condemned in Leviticus 18:8, highlighting the continuity of moral standards from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

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