Leviticus 20:25

Authorized King James Version

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.

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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