Leviticus 18:24

Authorized King James Version

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Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
נִטְמְא֣וּ Defile H2930
נִטְמְא֣וּ Defile
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 2 of 13
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֵ֙לֶּה֙ not ye yourselves in any of these things H428
אֵ֙לֶּה֙ not ye yourselves in any of these things
Strong's: H428
Word #: 4 of 13
these or those
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְכָל H3605
בְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֵ֙לֶּה֙ not ye yourselves in any of these things H428
אֵ֙לֶּה֙ not ye yourselves in any of these things
Strong's: H428
Word #: 7 of 13
these or those
נִטְמְא֣וּ Defile H2930
נִטְמְא֣וּ Defile
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 8 of 13
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם for in all these the nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֔ם for in all these the nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 9 of 13
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲנִ֥י H589
אֲנִ֥י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 11 of 13
i
מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ which I cast out H7971
מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ which I cast out
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 12 of 13
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מִפְּנֵיכֶֽם׃ before H6440
מִפְּנֵיכֶֽם׃ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 13 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis & Commentary

Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

This verse falls within the section on Unlawful Sexual Relations. Prohibitions against various sexual sins, distinguishing Israel from Canaanite practices and protecting family sanctity.


The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

Historical Context

Prohibitions against various sexual sins, distinguishing Israel from Canaanite practices and protecting family sanctity. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Questions for Reflection

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