Leviticus 18:27

Authorized King James Version

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(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֚י H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַתּֽוֹעֵבֹ֣ת abominations H8441
הַתּֽוֹעֵבֹ֣ת abominations
Strong's: H8441
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
הָאֵ֔ל For all these H411
הָאֵ֔ל For all these
Strong's: H411
Word #: 5 of 12
these or those
עָשׂ֥וּ done H6213
עָשׂ֥וּ done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 6 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַנְשֵֽׁי H376
אַנְשֵֽׁי
Strong's: H376
Word #: 7 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ of the land H776
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ of the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 8 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם which were before H6440
לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם which were before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַתִּטְמָ֖א is defiled H2930
וַתִּטְמָ֖א is defiled
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 11 of 12
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ of the land H776
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ of the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 12 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Cross References

Deuteronomy 25:16For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.Deuteronomy 20:18That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.Deuteronomy 23:18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.Deuteronomy 27:15Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.Ezekiel 16:50And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.Ezekiel 22:11And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.1 Kings 14:24And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.Leviticus 18:24Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:2 Kings 16:3But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.2 Kings 21:2And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

Analysis & Commentary

(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

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


Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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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