Leviticus 18:1-5

Unlawful Sexual Relations

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.

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. S Genesis 17:7; Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 11:44; Ezekiel 20:5
• 2. ver 24-30; S Exodus 23:24; Leviticus 20:23; Deuteronomy 18:9; 2 Kings 16:3; 2 Kings 17:8; 1 Chronicles 5:25
• 3. S Genesis 26:5
• 4. Deuteronomy 4:1; 1 Kings 11:11; Jeremiah 44:10,23; Ezekiel 11:12
• 5. ver 2
• 6. S Genesis 26:5
• 7. Deuteronomy 4:1; Nehemiah 9:29; Isaiah 55:3; Ezekiel 18:9; Ezekiel 20:11; Amos 5:4-6; Matthew 19:17; S Romans 10:5*; Galatians 3:12*