Leviticus 18:2

2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:2 in Other Translations

KJV
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.
ESV
2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God.
NLT
2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the LORD your God.
MSG
2 "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them: I am God, your God.
CSB
2 "Speak to the Israelites and tell them: I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 18:2 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 18:2

Speak unto the children of Israel
To the heads of their tribes, that they might deliver to them the following laws; or Moses is bid to publish them among them, either by word of mouth, or by writing, or both: and say unto them, I am the Lord your God;
with which they were to be introduced; showing the right he had to enact and enjoin such laws, since he was Jehovah, the Being of beings, and from whom they received their beings; their sovereign Lord and King, who had a right to rule over them, and command what he pleased; and also the obligation they lay under to him to regard them, and yield a cheerful obedience to them, since he was their God, not only that had made them, but had redeemed them out of Egypt; and who had made a covenant with them, and had taken special care of them, and had bestowed many wonderful favours on them; and for this purpose is this phrase often used in this chapter, and very frequently in the next. See ( Leviticus 18:2 Leviticus 18:4 Leviticus 18:30 ) ( Leviticus 19:3 Leviticus 19:4 Leviticus 19:10 Leviticus 19:25 Leviticus 19:31 Leviticus 19:34 Leviticus 19:36 ) .

Leviticus 18:2 In-Context

1 The LORD said to Moses,
2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God.
3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.
4 You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God.
5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Genesis 17:7; Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 11:44; Ezekiel 20:5
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