Leviticus 19:7
And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.
Original Language Analysis
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
- How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
- What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
- What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.
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).
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.