Leviticus 18:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit [any] of these abominations; [neither] any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

Complete Jewish Bible:

But you are to keep my laws and rulings and not engage in any of these disgusting practices, neither the citizen nor the foreigner living with you;

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

Ye therefore shall keep my statutes and mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourneth among you

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Ye shall therefore keep^{H8104} my statutes^{H2708} and my judgments^{H4941}, and shall not commit^{H6213} any of these abominations^{H8441}; neither any of your own nation^{H249}, nor any stranger^{H1616} that sojourneth^{H1481} among^{H8432} you:

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Commentary for Leviticus 18:26

1. Themes of Leviticus 18:26:
- Holiness and Purity: The verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining holiness by adhering to God's laws.
- Moral and Ritual Purity: It underscores the need for both moral behavior and ritual purity among the Israelites.
- Universality of God's Law: The commandments are binding not only to the Israelites but also to foreigners living among them.
- Separation from Sin: The verse commands the avoidance of practices considered detestable (abominations) to God.

2. Historical Context:
- Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses, and is considered to have been written during the time of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt (c. 1446–1406 BCE, according to traditional dating).
- The book of Leviticus is a collection of laws given to the Israelite community, focusing on priestly duties, sacrifices, and guidelines for holy living.
- Leviticus 18 details various sexual prohibitions, which were distinct from the practices of other ancient Near Eastern cultures. These laws were designed to set Israel apart and to establish a code of conduct that reflected their covenant relationship with God.
- The mention of "strangers" or foreigners indicates that the Israelite community was not isolated; there were non-Israelites living among them who were also expected to follow these laws.
- The broader context of chapter 18 is a warning against the practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites, from whom the Israelites were to remain distinct in their moral and religious conduct.

In summary, Leviticus 18:26 is a directive to the Israelites and the foreigners among them to uphold the divine statutes and judgments, avoiding behaviors deemed abominable, as part of their covenantal obligation to live holy lives distinct from surrounding nations. This verse reflects the book's overarching themes of holiness, purity, and the unique relationship between God and the Israelite community.

*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: H8104
   There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַר
   Transliteration: shâmar
   Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
   
2. Strong's Number: H2708
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֻקָּה
   Transliteration: chuqqâh
   Pronunciation: khook-kaw'
   Description: feminine of חֹק, and meaning substantially the same; {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)}; appointed, custom, manner, ordinance, site, statute.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4941
   There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
   Transliteration: mishpâṭ
   Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
   Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8441
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹעֵבַה
   Transliteration: tôwʻêbah
   Pronunciation: to-ay-baw'
   Description: or תֹּעֵבַה; feminine active participle of תַּעָב; properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol; abominable (custom, thing), abomination.
   
6. Strong's Number: H249
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶזְרָח
   Transliteration: ʼezrâch
   Pronunciation: ez-rawkh'
   Description: from זָרַח (in the sense of springing up); a spontaneous growth, i.e. native (tree or persons); bay tree, (home-) born (in the land), of the (one's own) country (nation).
   
7. Strong's Number: H1616
   There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֵּר
   Transliteration: gêr
   Pronunciation: gare
   Description: or (fully) geyr (gare); from גּוּר; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner, stranger.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1481
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוּר
   Transliteration: gûwr
   Pronunciation: goor
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely.
   
9. Strong's Number: H8432
   There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
   Transliteration: tâvek
   Pronunciation: taw'-vek
   Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in).