Leviticus 19:29-37

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 “ ‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.
33 “ ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.
34 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.
35 “ ‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.
36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah[a] and an honest hin.[b] 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.’ ”

Leviticus 19:29-37 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 19

This chapter contains various laws, ceremonial and moral, tending to the sanctification of men, in imitation of the holy God, Le 19:1,2; as concerning the reverence of parents, and observing the sabbaths, Le 19:3; against idolatry, Le 19:4; about offering and eating of peace offerings, Le 19:5-8; concerning harvest and gleaning of fields and vineyards, Le 19:9,10; respecting the breach of several of the commandments of the law, as the eighth, ninth, and third, particularly, Le 19:11-13; and others relating to the ill usage of the deaf and blind, and having respect to persons rich or poor in judgment, and acting the part of a tale bearer among people, Le 19:14-16; and bearing hatred and ill will to any of their neighbours, Le 19:17,18; and others forbidding mixtures in the generation of cattle, sowing fields, and wearing apparel, Le 19:19; and concerning the punishment of a man that lay with a bondmaid, and the offering he should bring for his atonement, Le 19:20-22; then follow certain laws concerning fruit trees, when the fruit of them should be eaten, Le 19:23-25; and concerning eating with blood, using enchantments, and observing times, and managing the hair of the head and beard, and avoiding to make any marks, prints, and cuttings in the flesh for the dead, Le 19:26-28; a caution not to prostitute a daughter to whoredom, and to observe the sabbath, and reverence the sanctuary of God, and pay no regard to wizards and familiar spirits, Le 19:29-31; to show reverence to ancient persons, and not to vex and distress strangers, Le 19:32-34; and to do no injustice in weight and measure, Le 19:35,36; all which instructions are to be carefully observed, and put in execution, Le 19:37.

Cross References 21

  • 1. Leviticus 21:9; Deuteronomy 23:18
  • 2. Genesis 34:7; Leviticus 21:9
  • 3. S Exodus 20:8
  • 4. Leviticus 26:2
  • 5. S Exodus 22:18; 1 Samuel 28:7-20; 1 Chronicles 10:13
  • 6. Leviticus 20:6; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:24; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 29:4; Isaiah 47:12; Isaiah 65:4
  • 7. 1 Kings 12:8
  • 8. Job 32:4; Proverbs 23:22; Lamentations 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:1
  • 9. S ver 14; Job 29:8
  • 10. Leviticus 11:44; Leviticus 25:17
  • 11. S Exodus 12:48
  • 12. S ver 18
  • 13. S Exodus 22:21
  • 14. Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 10:19; Deuteronomy 23:7; Psalms 146:9
  • 15. Deuteronomy 25:13-16
  • 16. Job 31:6; Proverbs 11:1; Hosea 12:7; Micah 6:11
  • 17. Judges 6:19; Ruth 2:17; 1 Samuel 1:24; 1 Samuel 17:17; Ezekiel 45:10
  • 18. Deuteronomy 25:13-15; Proverbs 20:10; Ezekiel 45:11
  • 19. S Exodus 12:17
  • 20. 2 Kings 17:37; 2 Chronicles 7:17; Psalms 119:5; Ezekiel 18:9
  • 21. S Genesis 26:5

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. An ephah was a dry measure having the capacity of about 3/5 of a bushel or about 22 liters.
  • [b]. A hin was a liquid measure having the capacity of about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.