Skip to content
Logo Devotion Header

Leviticus 19 Laws of Holiness

1 Various Laws
The Lord said to Moses,

2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

3 “‘Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.

4 “‘Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.

5 “‘When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf.

6 It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day; anything left over until the third day must be burned up.

7 If any of it is eaten on the third day, it is impure and will not be accepted.

8 Whoever eats it will be held responsible because he has desecrated what is holy to the Lord; that person must be cut off from his people.

9 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.

10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God.

11 “‘Do not steal.
“‘Do not lie.
“‘Do not deceive one another.

12 “‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.

13 “‘Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.
“‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.

14 “‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.

15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

16 “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.

17 “‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

19 “‘Keep my decrees.
“‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.
“‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
“‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

20 “‘If a man sleeps with a woman who is a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed.

21 The man, however, must bring a ram to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for a guilt offering to the Lord.

22 With the ram of the guilt offering the priest is to make atonement for him before the Lord for the sin he has committed, and his sin will be forgiven.

23 “‘When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten.

24 In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord.

25 But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.

26 “‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.
“‘Do not practice divination or sorcery.

27 “‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.

28 “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.

29 “‘Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.

30 “‘Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord.

31 “‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

32 “‘Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.

33 “‘When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him.

34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

35 “‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.

36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.

37 “‘Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the Lord.’”

Previous Chapter Leviticus 18 Next Chapter Leviticus 20

Analysis of Leviticus Chapter 19

Leviticus Chapter 19 is a profound segment of the Torah filled with divine guidelines on moral, ethical, and religious conduct. It forms a crucial part of the Holiness Code, and its key theme revolves around the idea of holiness, which pervades the entire chapter. This assessment provides a detailed and insightful analysis of the chapter, shedding light on its rich teachings and applicable wisdom.

Verse 1-2: Call to Holiness

The chapter opens with a direct command from the Lord to Moses to address the entire assembly of Israel:

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’” (Leviticus 19:1-2)

This sets the tone for everything that follows. The phrase “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy” highlights the divine standard for the people of Israel. Holiness here is presented as a reflection of God’s own nature, suggesting that ethical and moral conduct is not merely a societal construct but a divine imperative grounded in the character of God Himself.

Verse 3: Revering Parents and Keeping the Sabbaths

The command to revere one’s mother and father alongside the observance of Sabbaths further emphasizes the importance of community and rest in the life of an Israelite:

“Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:3)

This verse underscores the dual aspect of relationships—both familial and spiritual. Respect for parents is tantamount to honoring the family unit, while Sabbath observance anchors the community in a cycle of rest and worship. The positioning of these regulations highlights their importance as foundational to the fabric of society and personal holiness.

Verses 4-8: Prohibitions Against Idolatry and Sacrificial Integrity

The subsequent verses firmly establish prohibitions against idolatry and provide instructions regarding offerings:

“Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God. When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day; anything left over until the third day must be burned up.” (Leviticus 19:4-6)

The focus is clear: fidelity to God excludes idolatrous practices, and offerings must be conducted with integrity. This not only prevents spiritual corruption but also preserves the sanctity of the communal worship experience. Sacrificial regulations aim to maintain both the purity and the efficiency of the worship cycle, preventing decay and mismanagement.

Verses 9-10: Social Justice and Caring for the Needy

In these verses, the Lord commands a compassionate approach to agriculture:

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:9-10)

This regulation promotes social justice within the community, ensuring that those who are less fortunate—the poor and the foreigner—have access to food. The guiding principle here is divine generosity which should be mirrored by the people of Israel, reinforcing a godly community rooted in compassion and provision for all.

Verses 11-18: Ethical Guidelines for Community Living

Verses 11 through 18 encompass a variety of ethical instructions intended to mold an upright and just society:

“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another. Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:11-12)

Following these directives ensures the integrity of personal and communal relationships. The prohibitions against stealing, lying, and deceit protect the social fabric from moral decay. Swearing falsely by God’s name would not only be an act of deceit but also a form of blasphemy, tarnishing the sanctity of God’s name.

Additional verses further prohibit causing harm to others, especially those who are vulnerable:

“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight. Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:13-14)

These laws reveal the divine concern for justice and compassion. By mandating fair treatment and kindness, these verses reflect God’s own mercy and justice, reinforcing that ethical behavior is a reflection of divine will.

The chapter continues with imperatives emphasizing impartiality in judgment, love for one’s neighbor, and avoidance of perversion of justice:

“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” (Leviticus 19:15-16)

These injunctions unify the people under a banner of equitable justice and sincere love for one another, recognized as the heart of the law:

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)

The famous command to “love your neighbor as yourself” stands central, encapsulating the essence of communal holiness and indicating a proactive approach to social harmony.

Verses 19-25: Distinctiveness Through Obedience

Israel is called to be distinct from the surrounding nations. This distinctiveness is in part maintained through adherence to specific laws aimed at separating Israelite identity and worship:

“Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.” (Leviticus 19:19)

While some of these regulations may seem unusual, they serve to cultivate a sense of uniqueness and divine order among the Israelites. The detailed instructions underscore the importance of purity and separation unto God, which transcends mere ceremonial observance and permeates everyday life.

Verses 26-31: Prohibitions Against Pagan Practices

The Lord explicitly instructs His people to avoid pagan practices common among neighboring nations:

“Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. Do not practice divination or seek omens. Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” (Leviticus 19:26-27)

These prohibitions indicate a clear directive to abstain from rituals associated with idolatrous worship and superstition. By following these commandments, Israel physically and spiritually sets itself apart from practices that are abominable in the sight of God.

Verses 32-37: Additional Laws and Conclusion

The chapter concludes with additional laws that reflect the sanctity and justice required of the Israelites:

“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:32)

This verse emphasizes respect for the elderly, highlighting the importance of honoring those who have gathered wisdom over many years. Similarly, fair treatment of foreigners is commanded:

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

This universal principle of treating others with fairness and love is evident. Though the Israelites are given these specific laws, the underlying principles of justice, equality, and respect reflect God’s broader concern for all humanity.

Finally, the importance of honest commercial practices is stressed:

“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:35-36)

Upholding integrity in business ensures community trust. This not only fosters economic health but also glorifies God, who is just and honest in all His ways.

Conclusion: Holiness Reflected in Daily Life

In summary, Leviticus Chapter 19 is a comprehensive guide to living a holy life consistent with God’s decrees. By adhering to these commands, the Israelites maintain their covenant relationship with the Lord and uphold a moral, just, and compassionate society. This chapter elevates everyday actions to acts of divine service, making holiness an attainable and practical daily pursuit.

Overall, Leviticus 19 underscores that holiness permeates every aspect of life, from interpersonal relationships, economic dealings, agricultural practices, and worship. These laws are not only meant to set Israel apart but also to serve as a model for ethical and holy living that reflects the character of God Himself. In embracing these commands, the people of Israel affirm their identity as God’s chosen people called to embody His holiness in every facet of their existence.