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for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these things the nations which I am driving out from you have become defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />‘So do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves by all these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves by all these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't make yourselves unclean by any of these disgusting practices of those nations that I am forcing out of the land for you. They made themselves <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Do not become unclean in any of these ways. By these practices all the nations which I am forcing out of your way have become unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these acts, for that is how the pagans made themselves unclean, those pagans who lived in the land before you and whom the LORD is driving out so that you can go in. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to defile yourselves by doing any of these things, since all of these nations that I'm casting out before you have defiled themselves this way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"'Do not defile yourselves with any of these things, for the nations which I am about to drive out before you have been defiled with all these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'Do not defile yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves with all these, for with all these the nations have been defiled which I am sending away from before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Ye are not defiled with all these, for with all these have the nations been defiled which I am sending away from before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall not be defiled in any of these, for in all these the nations were defiled which I send out from your face.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Defile not yourselves with any of these things with which all the nations have been defiled, which I will cast out before you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not pollute yourselves with any of these things, by which all of the nations, which I will cast out in your sight, have been contaminated<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves by any of these things, because by them the nations whom I am driving out of your way have defiled themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for by all these practices the nations I am casting out before you have defiled themselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves in any of these things; for it was in all these that the nations are defiled which I am casting out before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not be defiled in any of these things, because in these things all the nations are defiled which I drove out from before you:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out from before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for in all these things the nations are defiled, which I drive out before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/18-24.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=4902" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Unlawful Sexual Relations</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">23</span>You must not lie carnally with any animal, thus defiling yourself with it; a woman must not stand before an animal to mate with it; that is a perversion. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2930.htm" title="2930: tiṭ·ṭam·mə·’ū (V-Hitpael-Imperf-2mp) -- To be or become unclean. A primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense.">defile</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">yourselves by any</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">of these practices,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḇə·ḵāl- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">by all</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: ’êl·leh (Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these things</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: mə·šal·lê·aḥ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">am driving out</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê·ḵem (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before you</a> <a href="/hebrew/2930.htm" title="2930: niṭ·mə·’ū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To be or become unclean. A primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense.">have defiled themselves.</a> </span><span class="reftext">25</span>Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-9.htm">Deuteronomy 18:9-12</a></span><br />When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. / Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a></span><br />You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-4.htm">Deuteronomy 9:4-5</a></span><br />When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. / It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">1 Kings 14:24</a></span><br />There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3</a></span><br />Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-2.htm">2 Kings 21:2</a></span><br />And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-11.htm">2 Kings 21:11</a></span><br />“Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-3.htm">2 Chronicles 28:3</a></span><br />Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-2.htm">2 Chronicles 33:2</a></span><br />And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-9.htm">2 Chronicles 33:9</a></span><br />So Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-2.htm">Jeremiah 10:2</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Ezekiel 20:30-31</a></span><br />Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with their abominations? / When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-47.htm">Ezekiel 16:47</a></span><br />And you not only walked in their ways and practiced their abominations, but soon you were more depraved than they were.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-50.htm">Ezekiel 16:50</a></span><br />Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them, as you have seen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-27</a></span><br />Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Defile not you yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:</p><p class="hdg">Defile</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Leviticus 18:6-23,30</a></b></br> None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover <i>their</i> nakedness: I <i>am</i> the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/44-4.htm">Jeremiah 44:4</a></b></br> Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending <i>them</i>, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Matthew 15:18-20</a></b></br> But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man… </p><p class="hdg">for</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Leviticus 20:22,23</a></b></br> Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a></b></br> Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/18-12.htm">Deuteronomy 18:12</a></b></br> For all that do these things <i>are</i> an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/16-8.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/exodus/38-27.htm">Casting</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-23.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-23.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/exodus/34-24.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/exodus/34-11.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/exodus/34-24.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-26.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-7.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-23.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-5.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-11.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/19-4.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-23.htm">Casting</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-28.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-25.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-23.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-23.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-28.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-23.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-5.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-25.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-30.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/18-1.htm">Unlawful marriages and unlawful lusts</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices</b><br>This command is a direct instruction from God to the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and holiness. The term "defile" suggests a corruption or pollution of moral and spiritual integrity. In the context of <a href="/leviticus/18.htm">Leviticus 18</a>, these practices refer to various sexual sins and idolatrous customs prevalent among the surrounding nations. The call to avoid defilement is consistent with the broader biblical theme of holiness, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/11-44.htm">Leviticus 11:44</a>, where God commands His people to be holy because He is holy. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to His laws is a sign of faithfulness and dedication.<p><b>for by all these things the nations</b><br>The "nations" mentioned here refer to the Canaanite peoples inhabiting the Promised Land before the arrival of the Israelites. These nations were known for their morally corrupt practices, which included not only sexual immorality but also child sacrifice and other forms of idolatry. The biblical narrative often contrasts the behavior of the nations with the standards God sets for His people, highlighting the distinctiveness of Israel's calling. This distinction is further emphasized in <a href="/deuteronomy/7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:1-6</a>, where God instructs Israel to separate themselves from the nations to avoid being led astray.<p><b>I am driving out before you</b><br>This phrase indicates God's active role in the conquest of Canaan. The driving out of the nations is both a divine judgment against their wickedness and a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (<a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Genesis 15:16</a>). Theologically, this reflects God's sovereignty and justice, as He uses Israel as an instrument of His judgment. The conquest narrative in the book of Joshua provides a historical account of this process, where God's intervention is evident in battles such as the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6).<p><b>have defiled themselves</b><br>The nations' defilement is a result of their persistent engagement in sinful practices, which ultimately leads to their downfall. This serves as a warning to Israel about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. The concept of defilement is not only physical but also spiritual, affecting the relationship between God and His people. The New Testament echoes this theme, where believers are called to live pure and holy lives, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>. The defilement of the nations also foreshadows the ultimate need for redemption through Jesus Christ, who provides cleansing from sin and restores the relationship between God and humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The primary audience of Leviticus, God's chosen people, who are being instructed on how to live a holy life distinct from other nations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land that God promised to the Israelites, which was inhabited by nations practicing the abominations listed in <a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Leviticus 18</a>.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader of the Israelites, who conveyed God's laws and instructions to the people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaanite_nations.htm">Canaanite Nations</a></b><br>The inhabitants of the land of Canaan, whose practices were considered defiling and abominable by God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The one true God who is giving these commands to ensure His people remain holy and set apart.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>God calls His people to be distinct from the world. Just as the Israelites were to avoid the practices of the Canaanites, Christians today are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The defilement of the Canaanite nations led to their judgment and expulsion. This serves as a warning that sin has serious consequences, both individually and corporately.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a></b><br>The Israelites were warned not to adopt the practices of the surrounding nations. Believers today must be vigilant against cultural influences that contradict God's standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>The driving out of the Canaanite nations demonstrates God's sovereignty and justice. He is patient but will ultimately judge sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_purity.htm">Call to Purity</a></b><br>The call to avoid defilement is a call to purity in thought, word, and deed. Christians are to pursue purity as a reflection of their relationship with a holy God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_defilement.htm">What does the Bible say about being defiled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_teachings_on_sexual_ethics.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on sexual ethics?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_stance_on_child_molestation.htm">What is the Bible's view on child molestation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_interracial_marriage.htm">What is the Bible's stance on interracial marriage?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(24) <span class= "bld">Defile not ye yourselves.</span>--The Lawgiver who solemnly introduced these precepts by five verses of preamble at the beginning of the chapter (<a href="/context/leviticus/18-1.htm" title="And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,">Leviticus 18:1-5</a>), now concludes by an equally solemn appeal to God's people sacredly to observe them in all their integrity, since the violation of them (<a href="/context/leviticus/18-6.htm" title="None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.">Leviticus 18:6-23</a>) has branded those nations with infamy, and brought about their national destruction, and expulsion from the very land which is now to be given to the Israelites.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 24-30.</span> - These verses contain a warning against the sins of incest and impurity already specified. The reason why the Canaanites were east out before the Israelites was that <span class="cmt_word">they were defiled in all these things,... and the land was defiled by them.</span> God <span class="cmt_word">visited the iniqu</span>ity of these debased races, and <span class="cmt_word">the land itself vomited out her inhabitants</span> on account of their abominations. The fate of the Canaanites was therefore a witness to them of what would be their fate if they did like them. <span class="cmt_word">Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things.... Ye shall not commit any of these abominations,... that the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it.</span> Special penalties are appointed for particular sins further on. Here there are but two punishments denounced, one for individual sinners, the other national. The individual sinner is to be cut off from the nation by excommunication, <span class="cmt_word">For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.</span> The nation, if it does not thus purify itself by cutting off from itself the authors of these corruptions, is to perish like the Canaanites. The words vomiteth (verse 25) and spued out (verse 28) are in that tense of the Hebrew verb which is generally called by grammarians a preterite, but this tense does not necessarily imply a past time; the time referred to depends on the context. The previous verbs, "I cast out," "I do visit," being present in <span class="accented">sense</span>, the two verbs, "vomiteth out (her inhabitants)," and "spued out (the nations that were before you)," are present also (see Introduction). <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/18-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">defile</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּֽטַּמְּא֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(tiṭ·ṭam·mə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2930.htm">Strong's 2930: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become unclean</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yourselves by any</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of these practices,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by all</span><br /><span class="heb">בְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ḵāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these things</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֙לֶּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the nations</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגּוֹיִ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am driving out</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šal·lê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before you</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵיכֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have defiled themselves.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִטְמְא֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(niṭ·mə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2930.htm">Strong's 2930: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become unclean</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/18-24.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 18:24 Don't defile yourselves in any of these (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/18-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 18:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/18-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 18:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:25" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>