Leviticus 19:23

Authorized King James Version

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And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

Original Language Analysis

וְכִֽי H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָבֹ֣אוּ And when ye shall come H935
תָבֹ֣אוּ And when ye shall come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 2 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 19
near, with or among; often in general, to
הָאָ֗רֶץ into the land H776
הָאָ֗רֶץ into the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 4 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וּנְטַעְתֶּם֙ and shall have planted H5193
וּנְטַעְתֶּם֙ and shall have planted
Strong's: H5193
Word #: 5 of 19
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵ֣ץ all manner of trees H6086
עֵ֣ץ all manner of trees
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 7 of 19
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
מַֽאֲכָ֔ל for food H3978
מַֽאֲכָ֔ל for food
Strong's: H3978
Word #: 8 of 19
an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)
וַֽעֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם then ye shall count H6188
וַֽעֲרַלְתֶּ֥ם then ye shall count
Strong's: H6188
Word #: 9 of 19
to expose or remove the prepuce, whether literal (to go naked) or figurative (to refrain from using)
עָרְלָת֖וֹ H6190
עָרְלָת֖וֹ
Strong's: H6190
Word #: 10 of 19
the prepuce
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פִּרְי֑וֹ the fruit H6529
פִּרְי֑וֹ the fruit
Strong's: H6529
Word #: 12 of 19
fruit (literally or figuratively)
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ three H7969
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ three
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 13 of 19
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
שָׁנִ֗ים years H8141
שָׁנִ֗ים years
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 14 of 19
a year (as a revolution of time)
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 15 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָכֶ֛ם H0
לָכֶ֛ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 16 of 19
עֲרֵלִ֖ים shall it be as uncircumcised H6189
עֲרֵלִ֖ים shall it be as uncircumcised
Strong's: H6189
Word #: 17 of 19
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 18 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵֽאָכֵֽל׃ unto you it shall not be eaten H398
יֵֽאָכֵֽל׃ unto you it shall not be eaten
Strong's: H398
Word #: 19 of 19
to eat (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

This verse falls within the section on Various Laws of Holiness. Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18).


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

Historical Context

Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18). 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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Questions for Reflection

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