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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 20:23 You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/20-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/03_Lev_20_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 20:23 - Keep All My Decrees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. 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Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Furthermore, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I am going to drive out before you, because they did all these things; therefore I have felt disgust for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Moreover, you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I will cast out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have loathed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not follow the statutes (laws, practices, customs) of the nation which I am driving out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I have loathed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The nations I am chasing out did these disgusting things, and I hated them for it, so don't follow their example. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never follow the practices of the people I am forcing out of your way. I cannot stand them because they did all these things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not adopt the customs of the people who live there; I am driving out those pagans so that you can enter the land. They have disgusted me with all their evil practices. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to live by the customs of the nations, whom I've cast away right in front of you. Because they did all of these things, I detested them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am about to drive out before you, because they have done all these things and I am filled with disgust against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I am casting out before you: for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nations which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and you do not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am sending away from before you, for they have done all these, and I am wearied with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and ye walk not in the statutes of the nation which I am sending away from before you, for all these they have done, and I am wearied with them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall not walk in the laws of the nations which I sent out from before you: for they did all these things and I shall be disgusted with them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Walk not after the laws of the nations, which I will cast out before you. For they have done all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not be willing to walk by the ordinances of the nations, which I will expel before you. For they have done all these things, and so I abominate them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not conform, therefore, to the customs of the nations whom I am driving out of your way, because all these things that they have done have filled me with disgust for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not follow the practices of the nation that I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall not walk in the manners of the nations which I am casting out before you; for they committed all these things, and therefore I was grieved by them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you shall not walk in the law of the Gentiles whom I drove out from before you because they have done these things, and I myself was grieved by them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And walk ye not in the customs of the nations which I drive out from before you; for they have done all these things, and I have abhorred them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/20-23.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=5486" 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/20.htm">Keep All My Decrees</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22</span>You are therefore to keep all My statutes and ordinances, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ṯê·lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/2708.htm" title="2708: bə·ḥuq·qōṯ (Prep-b:: N-fpc) -- Something prescribed, an enactment, statute. Feminine of choq, and meaning substantially the same.">the statutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: hag·gō·w (Art:: N-ms) -- 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.">of 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/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">they did</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">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/6973.htm" title="6973: wā·’ā·quṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To feel a loathing, abhorrence, or sickening dread. A primitive root (compare quwt); to be disgusted or anxious.">I abhorred</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples.…<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 18:9-14</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/12-29.htm">Deuteronomy 12:29-31</a></span><br />When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations you are entering to dispossess, and you drive them out and live in their land, / be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” / 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="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a></span><br />You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-1.htm">Deuteronomy 7:1-5</a></span><br />When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. / Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, ...<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="/leviticus/18-24.htm">Leviticus 18:24-30</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. / Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. / But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-8</a></span><br />All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel.<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_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="/jeremiah/10-2.htm">Jeremiah 10:2-3</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. / For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Ezekiel 20:18-19</a></span><br />In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols. / I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/11-12.htm">Ezekiel 11:12</a></span><br />Then you will know that I am the LORD. For you have neither followed My statutes nor practiced My ordinances, but you have conformed to the ordinances of the nations around you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">Psalm 106:34-39</a></span><br />They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">1 Peter 1:14-16</a></span><br />As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. / But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.</p><p class="hdg">in the manners</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-3.htm">Leviticus 18:3,24,30</a></b></br> After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-30.htm">Deuteronomy 12:30,31</a></b></br> Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-1.htm">Jeremiah 10:1,2</a></b></br> Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: … </p><p class="hdg">therefore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-27.htm">Leviticus 18:27</a></b></br> (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which <i>were</i> before you, and the land is defiled;)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/9-5.htm">Deuteronomy 9:5</a></b></br> Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-59.htm">Psalm 78:59</a></b></br> When God heard <i>this</i>, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/7-18.htm">Abhorred</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-13.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-4.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-24.htm">Casting</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-13.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-30.htm">Customs</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-24.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-24.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Live</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Manners</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-28.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-28.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-24.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-39.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-4.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/exodus/7-18.htm">Wearied</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/26-43.htm">Abhorred</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-2.htm">Casting</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-40.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-8.htm">Customs</a> <a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/numbers/14-45.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-9.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-3.htm">Live</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-34.htm">Manners</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-22.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-24.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/numbers/6-11.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-18.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-3.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-18.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-13.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-18.htm">Wearied</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-1.htm">Of him who gives his seed to Moloch</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-4.htm">Of him who favors such an one</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Of going to wizards</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-7.htm">Of sanctification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Of him who curses his parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Of incest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-13.htm">Of sodomy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-15.htm">Of bestiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Of uncleanness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Obedience is required with holiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Wizards must be put to death</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/20.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/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you.</b><br>This command emphasizes the distinctiveness required of the Israelites as God's chosen people. The "statutes of the nations" refers to the pagan practices and idolatrous customs prevalent among the Canaanites and other peoples inhabiting the Promised Land. These practices often included child sacrifice, sexual immorality, and various forms of idol worship, which were detestable to God. The command to avoid these statutes underscores the call to holiness found throughout Leviticus (<a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>). The Israelites were to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His character and laws. This separation from pagan practices is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to live distinctively from the world (<a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>, <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">1 Peter 1:14-16</a>).<p><b>Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.</b><br>The phrase "I abhorred them" indicates God's intense displeasure and rejection of the nations' sinful practices. The Hebrew word used here conveys a strong sense of loathing and rejection. This divine abhorrence is not arbitrary but is based on the moral corruption and abominations committed by these nations. The historical context reveals that the Canaanites engaged in practices that were not only religiously offensive but also morally reprehensible, such as ritual prostitution and child sacrifice (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>). God's judgment upon these nations serves as a warning and a demonstration of His holiness and justice. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin and the establishment of God's kingdom, where righteousness will dwell (<a href="/revelation/21-27.htm">Revelation 21:27</a>). The call for Israel to avoid these practices is a type of the call for Christians to live in purity and righteousness, reflecting the holiness of Christ, who fulfilled the law and calls His followers to a higher standard of living (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-20</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to live in a way that is distinct from the surrounding nations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>Refers to the Canaanite nations that inhabited the Promised Land before the Israelites. These nations practiced customs that were detestable to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The one true God who is giving these commands to His people, emphasizing His holiness and the need for His people to be set apart.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land that the Israelites are to inherit, contingent upon their obedience to God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who is conveying God's laws and commands to the people.<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 holy and separate from the world. This involves rejecting practices and customs that are contrary to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_discernment.htm">Cultural Discernment</a></b><br>Believers must exercise discernment in engaging with cultural practices, ensuring they align with biblical principles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god.htm">Obedience to God</a></b><br>The call to avoid the customs of the nations is a call to obedience, recognizing that God's ways are higher and lead to life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_abhorrence_of_sin.htm">God's Abhorrence of Sin</a></b><br>Understanding that God abhors certain practices should motivate believers to pursue righteousness and avoid sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were called to be distinct, Christians are called to find their identity in Christ and live according to His standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_ethically_boycott.htm">Can Christians ethically engage in boycotts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_achan's_sin_cause_israel's_loss.htm">Why did Achan's disobedience lead to Israel's defeat?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_old_and_new_covenants_differ.htm">How do the Old and New Covenants differ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_samuel_28_conflict_with_other_bans.htm">Does the account of an active spirit world in 1 Samuel 28:13–19 conflict with other passages that deny or forbid communicating with the dead? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/20-23.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">You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">follow</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵֽלְכוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṯê·lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the statutes</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּחֻקֹּ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḥuq·qōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2708.htm">Strong's 2708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prescribed, an enactment, statute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the nations</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגּ֔וֹי</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<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">מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם</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">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">they did</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשׂ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">and I abhorred them.</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאָקֻ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ā·quṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6973.htm">Strong's 6973: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feel a loathing, abhorrence, or sickening dread</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/20-23.htm">Leviticus 20:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/20-23.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 20:23 You shall not walk in the customs (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 20:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/20-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 20:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:24" /></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>