Leviticus 11:44

Authorized King James Version

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
אֲנִ֣י
H589
i
#3
יְהוָה֮
H3068
For I am the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒
H430
your God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#5
וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם֙
H6942
ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#6
וִֽהְיִיתֶ֣ם
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
קָד֖וֹשׁ
H6918
and ye shall be holy
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#8
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#9
קָד֖וֹשׁ
H6918
and ye shall be holy
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
#10
אָ֑נִי
H589
i
#11
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
תְטַמְּאוּ֙
H2930
neither shall ye defile
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
#13
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם
H5315
yourselves
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#15
בְּכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#16
הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ
H8318
with any manner of creeping
a swarm, i.e., active mass of minute animals
#17
הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ
H7430
thing that creepeth
properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm
#18
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
H776
upon the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Leviticus, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Leviticus.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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