Leviticus 18:29

KJV

For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit [them] shall be cut off from among their people.

KJV (with Strong's)

For whosoever shall commit {H6213} any of these abominations {H8441}, even the souls {H5315} that commit {H6213} them shall be cut off {H3772} from among {H7130} their people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For those who engage in any of these disgusting practices, whoever they may be, will be cut off from their people.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore anyone who commits any of these abominations must be cut off from among his people.

American Standard Version

For whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 18:29 delivers a profound and solemn declaration of divine judgment, asserting that any individual who engages in the detestable practices outlined in the preceding verses will be decisively "cut off" from the covenant community of Israel. This verse serves as a climactic warning, powerfully underscoring God's absolute demand for holiness within His chosen nation and the severe, divinely ordained consequences for defiling the land and the people through acts deemed abominable. It unequivocally highlights God's unwavering commitment to preserving the purity and sanctity of His presence among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 18:29 functions as the climactic warning and summary judgment for the extensive list of prohibited sexual and ritualistic practices detailed in [Leviticus 18:6-23](/leviticus/18-6-23 "Leviticus 18:6-23 - Forbidden Sexual Relations and Practices"). The chapter initiates with a foundational call for Israel to distinguish themselves morally and ritually from the idolatrous and immoral customs of Egypt and Canaan ([Leviticus 18:1-5](/leviticus/18-1-5 "Leviticus 18:1-5 - Call to Holiness and Obedience")). The specific "abominations" encompass various forms of incest, adultery, child sacrifice to Molech, homosexual acts, and bestiality. The immediate preceding verses, [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - The Land's Rejection of Sin"), provide the theological rationale for the severity of the judgment in verse 29, explaining that the land itself becomes defiled by these practices and will "vomit out" its inhabitants if they persist in such sins, just as it had expelled the nations before them. Thus, verse 29 articulates the ultimate, individual consequence for participating in this corporate defilement, emphasizing personal accountability within the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was strategically positioned between the highly influential civilizations of Egypt, from which they had been miraculously delivered, and Canaan, the land they were destined to inherit. Both cultures were deeply immersed in pagan religious systems that included many of the "abominations" explicitly forbidden in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Laws on Sexual Morality"). For instance, child sacrifice, particularly to deities like Molech (mentioned in [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")), was a horrific practice among some Canaanite peoples, as were various forms of ritual prostitution and sexual perversion often linked to fertility cults. God's repeated command for Israel to be "holy" ([Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")) and "set apart" was a radical and counter-cultural call to moral and spiritual distinctiveness in a world rampant with practices God deemed utterly detestable. The threat of being "cut off" (Hebrew: _kârath_) was a severe legal and social penalty in ancient Near Eastern societies, signifying exclusion from the community, loss of inheritance, and often, premature death or divine judgment, serving to ensure the purity of the covenant people and the sanctity of their land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing God's intrinsic purity and His demand for His people to reflect that purity in their lives and practices. The concept of **Covenant Obedience** is central, as the "abominations" represent direct violations of the covenant stipulations, leading to severe consequences. The verse also highlights **Divine Judgment** and **Retribution**, demonstrating that God actively intervenes to punish sin and maintain the integrity of His covenant. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Defilement of the Land**, illustrating how human sin can pollute the very ground upon which God's people dwell, leading to the land's expulsion of its inhabitants, as seen in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Defiled by Abominations"). Ultimately, it reinforces God's commitment to maintaining a **Distinct People** set apart for His purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** This term (H8441, תּוֹעֵבָה) signifies something utterly disgusting, repugnant, or abhorrent, especially in the sight of God. It is used repeatedly throughout [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Laws on Sexual Morality") to describe the forbidden sexual acts and child sacrifice, emphasizing their extreme moral and spiritual offensiveness. It is not merely a social taboo but an act that fundamentally violates divine order, defiles both the perpetrator and the land, and is an affront to God's holy character.
* **Souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** The word (H5315, נֶפֶשׁ) here refers to the entire living person or being. While often translated "soul," it encompasses the whole individual, including their vitality, appetite, and mind. In this context, it emphasizes that the judgment of being "cut off" is not merely against an isolated act but against the very life, identity, and comprehensive being of the individual who commits these detestable deeds. It underscores personal accountability and the comprehensive nature of the divine judgment, affecting the person in their entirety.
* **Cut Off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** The verb (H3772, כָּרַת) is a primitive root meaning "to cut (off, down or asunder)." In this context, it denotes a severe, divinely ordained consequence that would remove the defiling individual from the midst of the holy people. Depending on the specific transgression and context within the Pentateuch, "cutting off" could signify execution by the community, banishment leading to loss of identity and livelihood, or a direct act of God causing premature death or the termination of one's lineage within the covenant line. Here, it points to a profound separation from the covenant community and its privileges, often implying divine judgment leading to the end of one's line or life within the promised land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations":** This clause establishes the condition for the severe consequence, directly referencing the comprehensive list of prohibited sexual and ritualistic practices detailed in [Leviticus 18:6-23](/leviticus/18-6-23 "Leviticus 18:6-23 - Forbidden Sexual Relations and Practices"). The phrase "whosoever" emphasizes universal individual responsibility, indicating that the judgment applies to any person—whether Israelite or sojourner—who engages in these acts, underscoring the non-negotiable and universally applicable nature of God's moral law within the covenant community.
* **"even the souls that commit [them]":** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the focus on the individual, ensuring no ambiguity regarding personal accountability. By using "souls" (_nephesh_), the text stresses that the entire person—their life, identity, and very being—is implicated in the sin. It highlights that the transgression is not merely an external act but signifies an internal defilement that warrants the severe penalty, underscoring the personal nature of the transgression and the comprehensive scope of the impending judgment.
* **"shall be cut off from among their people":** This is the declared and inevitable consequence. The passive voice ("shall be cut off") strongly implies divine agency, indicating that this is a judgment ordained and executed by God, often through the community's judicial actions or through direct divine intervention. Being "cut off from among their people" means expulsion from the covenant community, loss of all its benefits and protections, and often, premature death or the termination of one's lineage within Israel. It signifies a profound spiritual and social alienation, a removal from the sphere of God's blessing and protection within the land He had given them, ensuring the purity of the holy nation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 18:29 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with undeniable force and clarity. The most prominent is **Legal Consequence**, where a specific action (committing abominations) is directly and irrevocably linked to an explicit, severe penalty ("shall be cut off"). This creates a clear, covenantal cause-and-effect relationship, characteristic of biblical law, which emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of God's commands and the certainty of judgment for disobedience. The use of the all-encompassing "whosoever" and the emphatic "even the souls that commit them" employs **Emphasis** and underscores **Individual Accountability**, ensuring that no one can claim exemption and highlighting that the entire person is held responsible for their actions. Furthermore, the phrase "cut off from among their people" functions as a form of **Euphemism** or **Understatement** for a range of severe penalties, including social ostracism, banishment, or even capital punishment, all of which ultimately lead to the termination of the individual's participation in the covenant community. This phrase also carries a strong sense of **Divine Judgment**, implying that the ultimate removal is God's doing, maintaining the sanctity of His people and land against defilement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 18:29 profoundly underscores the absolute holiness of God and His unwavering demand for purity from His covenant people. It reveals that sin, particularly sexual immorality and idolatry, is not merely a social transgression but a defiling act that pollutes individuals, the community, and even the land itself. The concept of being "cut off" signifies a profound separation from God's favor and the blessings of the covenant, demonstrating God's righteous judgment against unrepentant sin and His commitment to preserving a holy people for His own name. This principle of divine judgment against sin, and the necessity of purity for fellowship with a holy God, resonates throughout Scripture, pointing to a God who cannot tolerate unholiness in His presence and who will act decisively to remove defilement from His midst.

* [Exodus 31:14](/exodus/31-14 "Exodus 31:14 - Sabbath Violation and Being Cut Off")
* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30-31 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sin and Being Cut Off")
* [Ezekiel 14:8](/ezekiel/14-8 "Ezekiel 14:8 - Divine Judgment on Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 18:29, though rooted in the Old Covenant's judicial system, offers timeless and profound principles for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder of the immense gravity of sin, particularly those acts that God unequivocally labels "abominations." In a contemporary culture that often trivializes sexual purity, redefines moral boundaries, and embraces practices contrary to biblical standards, this verse calls us to recognize God's unchanging standard of holiness. Our actions have profound implications, not only for our individual lives and spiritual well-being but also for the spiritual health and witness of our communities. It compels us to examine our own lives, repent of any unconfessed sin, and actively strive for purity in thought, word, and deed, knowing that God is eternally just and holy. It also reminds us that true, intimate fellowship with God requires walking in obedience to His revealed will, and that persistent, unrepentant sin can lead to spiritual alienation and a forfeiture of the blessings of His abiding presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the severity of "abominations" in Leviticus 18:29 shape my view of sin in my own life today, particularly in areas where cultural norms might conflict with God's standards?**
* **In what ways might the concept of being "cut off" from the covenant community manifest in a spiritual sense for a New Testament believer who persistently engages in unrepentant sin?**
* **What practical steps can I take to actively pursue holiness and purity in my daily life, reflecting God's unchanging standards in a world that often rejects them?**

### FAQ

**What does "cut off from among their people" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In the context of [Leviticus 18:29](/leviticus/18-29 "Leviticus 18:29 - Penalty for Abominations"), "cut off from among their people" (Hebrew: _kârath_) signifies a severe, divinely ordained penalty for committing the listed abominations. Its precise manifestation could vary but generally encompassed:
* **Execution:** For certain particularly egregious sins (e.g., child sacrifice, specific sexual sins), the community might be commanded to put the offender to death (see [Leviticus 20:2](/leviticus/20-2 "Leviticus 20:2 - Penalty for Child Sacrifice")).
* **Exclusion/Banishment:** The individual would be expelled from the Israelite community, losing all social, economic, and religious rights and protections. This was a devastating consequence in an ancient tribal society, leading to a loss of identity and livelihood.
* **Premature Death/Divine Judgment:** Often, it implied a direct act of God causing the person to die prematurely, or their lineage to be terminated, thus "cutting off" their name and descendants from Israel. This was a spiritual separation from God's covenant favor and blessing, ensuring that the defilement did not spread and corrupt the entire nation. Ultimately, it was about maintaining the purity of God's people and the sanctity of the land.

**Are the "abominations" listed in Leviticus 18 still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: While the specific judicial penalties of the Old Covenant (like being "cut off" by the community) are not directly applied to New Testament believers, the moral principles underlying the "abominations" in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Laws on Sexual Morality") are indeed still profoundly relevant. The New Testament consistently upholds God's standards for sexual purity and unequivocally condemns idolatry. For example, [1 Corinthians 6:9-10](/1_corinthians/6-9-10 "1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Warning Against Immorality") explicitly lists various forms of sexual immorality and other sins, stating that those who practice them will not inherit the kingdom of God. Similarly, [Romans 1:24-32](/romans/1-24-32 "Romans 1:24-32 - God's Wrath on Ungodliness and Unrighteousness") describes God's judgment on those who exchange the truth for a lie and engage in various forms of sexual perversion. Therefore, while the covenant context has transitioned from national Israel to the Church, the moral abhorrence of these acts in God's eyes remains constant and applies to all who claim to follow Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 18:29, with its stark pronouncement of being "cut off" for committing abominations, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, eternal consequence of humanity's rebellion against a holy God: spiritual separation and death. While the Old Covenant penalty was a physical and social cutting off from the earthly community of Israel, it pointed to the deeper spiritual reality of humanity's profound alienation from God due to sin, a truth poignantly articulated in [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You from God"). Jesus Christ, however, stands as the perfect fulfillment and the singular solution to this dire problem. He willingly allowed Himself to be "cut off" from the Father's glorious presence on the cross, bearing the full weight of humanity's abominations and the divine judgment they justly deserved ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Through His unparalleled atoning sacrifice, those who place their faith in Him are no longer "cut off" but are miraculously "grafted in" to God's spiritual family, the true olive tree ([Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17-24 "Romans 11:17-24 - The Olive Tree and Gentiles Grafted In")), and are gloriously reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). He bore the ultimate separation, the spiritual death that was our due, so that we might experience eternal communion, transforming the curse of being "cut off" into the boundless blessing of eternal life and uninterrupted fellowship with God through His precious blood ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Sacrifice and Eternal Redemption")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:15

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

Leviticus 17:10

¶ And whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

Leviticus 20:6

And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.