1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God [am] holy.
3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I [am] the LORD your God.
4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I [am] the LORD your God.
5 And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will.
6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.
7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it [is] abominable; it shall not be accepted.
8 Therefore [every one] that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather [every] grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I [am] the LORD your God.
11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.
13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: [but] in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
16 Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.
19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.
20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that [is] a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
21 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, [even] a ram for a trespass offering.
22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.
23 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.
24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD [withal].
25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I [am] the LORD your God.
26 Ye shall not eat [any thing] with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.
29 Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
30 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.
31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.
32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.
33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
34 [But] the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.
35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I [am] the LORD.
Overview of Leviticus Chapter 19
Leviticus Chapter 19 is a pivotal section of the Holiness Code, which outlines various laws and ethical guidelines for the Israelites. This chapter emphasizes the importance of holiness, social justice, and community ethics, reflecting the character of God and the moral responsibilities of His people.
Key Themes
- Holiness: The chapter begins with a call to holiness, emphasizing that the Israelites are to be holy because God is holy.
- Social Justice: It includes laws aimed at ensuring justice and fairness within the community, particularly concerning the treatment of the poor and marginalized.
- Interpersonal Relationships: Instructions on how to treat one another with respect and love, including prohibitions against various forms of wrongdoing.
- Worship and Rituals: Guidelines for proper worship practices and the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God.
Detailed Analysis
1. Call to Holiness (Verses 1-2)
The chapter opens with God commanding Moses to speak to the entire congregation of Israel, instructing them to be holy. This call to holiness is foundational, establishing that the people are to reflect God’s character in their lives.
2. Respect for Parents and Observance of Sabbaths (Verses 3-4)
- Honor your parents: This command underscores the importance of familial respect and the foundation of social order.
- Keep the Sabbaths: Observing the Sabbath is a sign of covenant loyalty and a reminder of God’s creative and redemptive work.
3. Prohibitions Against Idolatry (Verses 4)
The text warns against turning to idols, emphasizing the need for exclusive devotion to God. This reflects the ongoing struggle of the Israelites with surrounding pagan practices.
4. Guidelines for Sacrifices (Verses 5-8)
Instructions are given regarding peace offerings, highlighting the importance of proper worship and the consequences of neglecting these rituals. The focus is on the communal aspect of sacrifices and the need for purity in offerings.
5. Care for the Poor and the Stranger (Verses 9-10)
These verses instruct landowners to leave the edges of their fields unharvested and not to gather every grape from their vineyards. This practice ensures that the poor and the foreigner have access to food, promoting social equity.
6. Ethical Treatment of Others (Verses 11-18)
- Prohibitions Against Stealing and Lying: These verses emphasize honesty and integrity in personal interactions.
- Commands Against Hatred: The text instructs against harboring hatred in one’s heart and encourages the rebuke of neighbors in a spirit of love.
- Love Your Neighbor: Verse 18 culminates in the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself, which is a central tenet of ethical behavior in the community.
7. Ritual and Moral Laws (Verses 19-31)
This section presents various laws that govern daily life, including prohibitions against mixing fabrics, planting diverse crops together, and engaging in certain pagan practices. These laws serve to distinguish Israel from surrounding nations and maintain their unique identity.
8. Holiness in Personal Conduct (Verses 32-37)
The chapter concludes with a call to respect the elderly, practice honesty in commerce, and uphold justice. The repeated emphasis on fairness and integrity reinforces the community’s moral fabric and reflects God’s justice.
Conclusion
Leviticus Chapter 19 serves as a comprehensive guide for the Israelites, integrating worship, ethics, and social justice into a cohesive framework for living a holy life. The chapter’s teachings remain relevant, emphasizing the importance of community, respect for others, and the pursuit of holiness in all aspects of life.
