Leviticus 18:24

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, because all the nations which I am expelling ahead of you are defiled with them.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Defile^{H2930} not ye yourselves in any of these things^{H428}: for in all these the nations^{H1471} are defiled^{H2930} which I cast out^{H7971} before^{H6440} you:

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Commentary for Leviticus 18:24

1. **Themes:**
- **Purity and Holiness:** Leviticus 18:24 emphasizes the importance of maintaining ritual and moral purity. The verse is part of a larger section (Leviticus 18) that details various sexual prohibitions, underscoring the need for the Israelites to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 19:2).
- **Separation from Pagan Practices:** The verse commands the Israelites to avoid the defilement associated with the practices of the nations they are displacing in Canaan. This reflects a broader theme in the Pentateuch of distinguishing Israelite religious practices from those of their pagan neighbors.
- **Divine Commandment:** The instruction not to defile themselves is presented as a directive from God, reinforcing the idea that these laws are divinely ordained and non-negotiable.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus and Conquest:** Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law from God. Leviticus 18:24 would have been given to the Israelites as they were preparing to enter and take possession of the Promised Land.
- **Canaanite Culture:** The Canaanites, whom the Israelites were to displace, had a variety of religious practices, some of which included sexual rituals associated with fertility cults. The Israelites were warned against adopting these practices, which were considered morally and ritually defiling.
- **Covenant Identity:** The laws given in Leviticus were part of establishing Israel's identity as a covenant people, set apart for God. By following these laws, the Israelites affirmed their unique relationship with Yahweh and their commitment to the covenant.

In summary, Leviticus 18:24 is a call to the Israelites to maintain their distinct identity as God's chosen people by avoiding the defilement of the pagan practices of the nations they were to dispossess, thereby upholding the themes of purity, holiness, and covenant faithfulness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2930
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָמֵא
   Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
   Pronunciation: taw-may'
   Description: a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly.
   
2. Strong's Number: H428
   There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵלֶּה
   Transliteration: ʼêl-leh
   Pronunciation: ale'-leh
   Description: prolonged from אֵל; these or those; an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1471
   There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוֹי
   Transliteration: gôwy
   Pronunciation: go'-ee
   Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
5. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.