Leviticus 20:25

Authorized King James Version

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Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

Original Language Analysis

הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי Ye shall therefore put difference H914
הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי Ye shall therefore put difference
Strong's: H914
Word #: 1 of 23
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
בֵּֽין H996
בֵּֽין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 2 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
בַּבְּהֵמָ֣ה beasts H929
בַּבְּהֵמָ֣ה beasts
Strong's: H929
Word #: 3 of 23
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
לַטָּהֹ֑ר and clean H2889
לַטָּהֹ֑ר and clean
Strong's: H2889
Word #: 4 of 23
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
הַטָּמֵ֖א and between unclean H2931
הַטָּמֵ֖א and between unclean
Strong's: H2931
Word #: 5 of 23
foul in a religious sense
וּבֵין H996
וּבֵין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 6 of 23
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וּבָע֗וֹף fowls H5775
וּבָע֗וֹף fowls
Strong's: H5775
Word #: 7 of 23
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
הַטָּמֵ֖א and between unclean H2931
הַטָּמֵ֖א and between unclean
Strong's: H2931
Word #: 8 of 23
foul in a religious sense
לַטָּהֹ֑ר and clean H2889
לַטָּהֹ֑ר and clean
Strong's: H2889
Word #: 9 of 23
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְשַׁקְּצ֨וּ abominable H8262
תְשַׁקְּצ֨וּ abominable
Strong's: H8262
Word #: 11 of 23
to be filthy, i.e., (intensively) to loathe, pollute
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜ם and ye shall not make your souls H5315
נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜ם and ye shall not make your souls
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 13 of 23
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
בַּבְּהֵמָ֣ה beasts H929
בַּבְּהֵמָ֣ה beasts
Strong's: H929
Word #: 14 of 23
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וּבָע֗וֹף fowls H5775
וּבָע֗וֹף fowls
Strong's: H5775
Word #: 15 of 23
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
וּבְכֹל֙ H3605
וּבְכֹל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 17 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּרְמֹ֣שׂ or by any manner of living thing that creepeth H7430
תִּרְמֹ֣שׂ or by any manner of living thing that creepeth
Strong's: H7430
Word #: 18 of 23
properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה on the ground H127
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה on the ground
Strong's: H127
Word #: 19 of 23
soil (from its general redness)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 20 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי Ye shall therefore put difference H914
הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי Ye shall therefore put difference
Strong's: H914
Word #: 21 of 23
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
לָכֶ֖ם H0
לָכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 22 of 23
לְטַמֵּֽא׃ from you as unclean H2930
לְטַמֵּֽא׃ from you as unclean
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 23 of 23
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

Analysis & Commentary

Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.

This verse falls within the section on Penalties for Disobedience. Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community.

Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

Historical Context

Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community. 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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