Leviticus 18:1-5

Unlawful Sexual Relations

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, ¹

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

3 You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs.

4 You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God.

5 Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. ^[a] I am the LORD.

Leviticus 18:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 18

In this chapter the Israelites are directed in general not to imitate the customs and practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites, but to keep the ordinances, statutes, and judgments of the Lord, Le 18:1-5; and they are instructed particularly to avoid incestuous marriages, Le 18:6-18; carnal copulation with a menstruous woman, Le 18:19; adultery, Le 18:20; letting any of their seed pass through the fire to Molech, Le 18:21; sodomy, Le 18:22; and bestiality, Le 18:23; and they are deterred from these things by observing to them the pollution and destruction which they brought on the inhabitants of Canaan, and would bring the same on them should they commit them, Le 18:24-30.

Cross References

• 1. (Matthew 5:27–30)

Footnotes

• [a] Cited in Romans 10:5 and Galatians 3:12; see also Ezekiel 20:11, 13, and 21.