Leviticus 19:21-31

21 The man shall bring a ram to the entrance of the Tent of my presence as his repayment offering,
22 and with it the priest shall perform the ritual of purification to remove the man's sin, and God will forgive him.
23 "When you come into the land of Canaan and plant any kind of fruit tree, consider the fruit ritually unclean for the first three years. During that time you must not eat it.
24 In the fourth year all the fruit shall be dedicated as an offering to show your gratitude to me, the Lord.
25 But in the fifth year you may eat the fruit. If you do all this, your trees will bear more fruit. I am the Lord your God.
26 "Do not eat any meat with blood still in it. Do not practice any kind of magic. 1
27 Do not cut the hair on the sides of your head or trim your beard 2
28 or tattoo yourselves or cut gashes in your body to mourn for the dead. I am the Lord.
29 "Do not disgrace your daughters by making them temple prostitutes; if you do, you will turn to other gods and the land will be full of immorality. 3
30 Keep the Sabbath, and honor the place where I am worshiped. I am the Lord. 4
31 "Do not go for advice to people who consult the spirits of the dead. If you do, you will be ritually unclean. I am the Lord your God. 5

Leviticus 19:21-31 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 5

  • 1. 19.26 aGenesis 9.4;Leviticus 7.26, 27; 17.10-14;Deuteronomy 12.16, 23; 15.23; bDeuteronomy 18.10.
  • 2. 19.27, 28Leviticus 21.5;Deuteronomy 14.1.
  • 3. 19.29Deuteronomy 23.17.
  • 4. 19.30Leviticus 26.2.
  • 5. 19.31Deuteronomy 18.11; 1 S 28.3; 2 K 23.4;Isaiah 8.19.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. to show your gratitude to me; [or] in praise of me.
  • [b]. temple prostitutes: [These women were found in Canaanite temples, where fertility gods were worshiped. It was believed that intercourse with these prostitutes assured fertile fields and herds.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.