Leviticus 18:5

Authorized King James Version

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Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם Ye shall therefore keep H8104
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם Ye shall therefore keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 1 of 13
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֻקֹּתַי֙ my statutes H2708
חֻקֹּתַי֙ my statutes
Strong's: H2708
Word #: 3 of 13
a statute
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י and my judgments H4941
מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י and my judgments
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 5 of 13
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֲשֶׁ֨ר which H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר which
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה do H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֹתָ֛ם H853
אֹתָ֛ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאָדָ֖ם if a man H120
הָֽאָדָ֖ם if a man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 9 of 13
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וָחַ֣י he shall live H2425
וָחַ֣י he shall live
Strong's: H2425
Word #: 10 of 13
to live; causatively to revive
בָּהֶ֑ם H0
בָּהֶ֑ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 13
אֲנִ֖י H589
אֲנִ֖י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 12 of 13
i
יְהוָֽה׃ in them I am the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ in them I am the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 13 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Cross References

Romans 10:5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.Ezekiel 20:11And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.Galatians 3:12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.Luke 10:28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.Ezekiel 20:13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.Ezekiel 20:21Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.Exodus 6:2And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:Exodus 6:6Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:Exodus 6:29That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.Malachi 3:6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Analysis & Commentary

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

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


What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Questions for Reflection

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