Leviticus 20:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I [am] the LORD which sanctify you.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Observe my regulations, and obey them; I am ADONAI, who sets you apart to be holy.

Berean Standard Bible:

And you shall keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

American Standard Version:

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And ye shall keep^{H8104} my statutes^{H2708}, and do^{H6213} them: I am the LORD^{H3068} which sanctify^{H6942} you.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Leviticus 20:8

Leviticus 20:8 is part of the Holiness Code in the Book of Leviticus, which is the third book of the Pentateuch in the Hebrew Bible. This code, found primarily in Leviticus 17-26, outlines various laws and rituals that the Israelites were to follow to maintain their religious and ritual purity, thus setting them apart as a holy nation. The historical context of this verse is the period following the Exodus, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness and receiving God's laws through Moses.

The themes of Leviticus 20:8 include:

1. **Observance of God's Statutes**: The verse emphasizes the importance of not only knowing God's laws (statutes) but also actively obeying them. This obedience was a key component of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

2. **Holiness**: The overarching theme of the Holiness Code is the call for the Israelites to be holy because their God is holy (Leviticus 19:2). Keeping the statutes was a means of achieving sanctification.

3. **Divine Sanctification**: The verse attributes sanctification to the Lord, indicating that it is God's action that makes the people holy. This sanctification is contingent upon the people's obedience to God's commandments.

4. **Divine Authority**: The statement "I am the LORD" reinforces the authority behind the commandments. It is a recurring formula throughout the book, underscoring the sovereignty of God over Israel.

5. **Covenant Relationship**: The command to keep the statutes and the reminder of God's role in sanctifying the people reflect the covenantal bond between God and Israel. This bond was sealed by obedience to the law on the part of the Israelites and the promise of God's presence and blessings.

In summary, Leviticus 20:8 is a call to the Israelites to live out their covenant relationship with God by obeying His laws, with the understanding that their holiness as a people is both a divine gift and a result of their faithful adherence to God's commandments. This verse reflects the broader themes of the Holiness Code, which sought to govern the moral, ritual, and social behavior of 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: 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6942
   There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָדַשׁ
   Transliteration: qâdash
   Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly.