Leviticus 18:30

KJV

Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that [ye] commit not [any one] of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I [am] the LORD your God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore shall ye keep {H8104} mine ordinance {H4931}, that ye commit {H6213} not any one of these abominable {H8441} customs {H2708}, which were committed {H6213} before {H6440} you, and that ye defile {H2930} not yourselves therein: I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So keep my charge not to follow any of these abominable customs that others before you have followed and thus defile yourselves by doing them. I am ADONAI your God.'"

Berean Standard Bible

You must keep My charge not to practice any of the abominable customs that were practiced before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the LORD your God.”

American Standard Version

Therefore shall ye keep my charge, that ye practise not any of these abominable customs, which were practised before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am Jehovah your God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 18:30 serves as a climactic and emphatic divine command, concluding the detailed statutes against illicit sexual practices and detestable customs outlined in the preceding verses of Chapter 18. It underscores the absolute necessity for Israel to uphold God's ordinances, warning against the moral and spiritual defilement that results from adopting the abominable practices of the surrounding pagan nations, thereby reiterating God's sovereign authority and their covenant obligation to maintain holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as the capstone and ultimate warning for the entire chapter, which meticulously details a comprehensive list of prohibited sexual relationships and pagan practices. Beginning with general warnings against adopting the customs of Egypt and Canaan ([Leviticus 18:1-5](/leviticus/18-1 "Leviticus 18:1-5 - Introduction to Holiness")), the chapter systematically enumerates various forms of incest ([Leviticus 18:6-18](/leviticus/18-6 "Leviticus 18:6-18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations")), followed by prohibitions against adultery ([Leviticus 18:20](/leviticus/18-20 "Leviticus 18:20 - Adultery")), child sacrifice to Molech ([Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Child Sacrifice")), homosexual acts ([Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Homosexuality")), and bestiality ([Leviticus 18:23](/leviticus/18-23 "Leviticus 18:23 - Bestiality")). The verses immediately preceding 18:30, specifically [Leviticus 18:24-29](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-29 - Consequences of Defilement"), issue a severe warning that the land itself had become defiled by these very practices when committed by its former inhabitants, and would "vomit out" Israel if they engaged in similar behaviors. Thus, 18:30 serves as a final, urgent call to obedience, linking their continued dwelling in the land directly to their moral purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The commands in Leviticus 18 were given to Israel as they stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, a region heavily populated by Canaanite peoples. Archaeological and historical evidence confirms that the "abominable customs" mentioned, such as child sacrifice, cultic prostitution, and various forms of sexual immorality, were deeply embedded in the religious and social fabric of Canaanite and other ancient Near Eastern cultures. For instance, the worship of deities like Baal and Asherah often involved ritualized sex acts, and Molech worship explicitly demanded child sacrifice. God's emphatic prohibition against these practices was not merely an arbitrary set of rules but a foundational call for Israel to be distinct and holy, setting them apart from the moral decay and spiritual darkness of the nations around them. This distinction was crucial for their identity as God's covenant people and for their survival and flourishing in the land that was promised to them, which had been defiled by the very practices Israel was now commanded to shun, as highlighted in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land's Defilement").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ordinance (Hebrew, _chuqqah'_):** This term refers to a fixed statute, decree, or prescribed custom, often implying something engraved or established as a permanent rule. In the context of Leviticus, _chuqqah_ denotes a divine imperative, a non-negotiable law handed down by God Himself. It emphasizes the authoritative and unchanging nature of God's commands, which are not subject to human negotiation or cultural adaptation. Keeping God's _chuqqah_ is an act of obedience rooted in acknowledging His sovereignty.
* **Abominable customs (Hebrew, _to'evot'_):** This strong term signifies practices that are utterly detestable, abhorrent, and repugnant to God. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe idolatry, severe sexual immorality, and child sacrifice—the very practices detailed in Leviticus 18. The use of _to'evot_ conveys God's profound moral revulsion and highlights the inherent evil and spiritual pollution associated with these acts, which are not merely violations of law but an affront to His holy character.
* **Defile (Hebrew, _tameh'_):** To become _tameh_ means to be rendered unclean, impure, or polluted. In the Mosaic Law, defilement could be ritual (e.g., touching a dead body) or moral/spiritual. Here, it refers to a deep moral and spiritual corruption that results from engaging in the "abominable customs." This defilement renders an individual or the community unfit for God's presence, worship, or service, and directly jeopardizes their covenant relationship and their right to remain in the Promised Land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance":** This opening phrase establishes a direct causal link to the preceding commands and warnings. "Therefore" indicates that in light of the detailed prohibitions and the severe consequences for the land's previous inhabitants, obedience is the only logical and necessary response. "Mine ordinance" emphasizes that these are not human laws but divine decrees, rooted in God's holy character and His covenant with Israel. The imperative "shall ye keep" underscores the non-negotiable nature of this command, demanding active and diligent adherence.
* **"that [ye] commit not [any one] of these abominable customs, which were committed before you":** This clause specifies the negative command: Israel is to actively refrain from practicing the detestable acts just enumerated in the chapter. The phrase "any one" highlights the comprehensive nature of the prohibition—no compromise or partial obedience is acceptable. The reference to "which were committed before you" explicitly links these customs to the Canaanites and Egyptians, drawing a stark contrast between their corrupt ways and the purity God demands of His people. This serves as a potent warning and a call to radical distinction.
* **"and that ye defile not yourselves therein":** This explains the direct consequence of engaging in the forbidden customs: self-defilement. It's not merely an external act but an internal pollution that corrupts the individual and, collectively, the nation. This defilement is moral and spiritual, rendering them impure in God's sight and jeopardizing their covenant relationship. It emphasizes that sin has an inherent defiling power, impacting one's spiritual state and relationship with the Holy God.
* **"I [am] the LORD your God":** This powerful divine self-attestation serves as the ultimate ground for all the commands. "I am the LORD" (Yahweh) asserts God's unique, self-existent, and sovereign nature, the covenant-keeping God. "Your God" (Elohim) reminds Israel of their special, exclusive relationship with Him, established through the covenant. This declaration functions as both a statement of authority and a reminder of relationship, implying that obedience flows from acknowledging who God is and who they are in relation to Him. It is the ultimate motivation for holiness and distinction.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 18:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Recapitulation** is evident as the verse summarizes and reinforces the entire chapter's prohibitions, serving as a concluding warning. **Contrast** is central, sharply delineating Israel's commanded holiness from the "abominable customs" of the nations "before you," thereby emphasizing their unique covenant identity and calling to be set apart. The phrase "I am the LORD your God" functions as a **Divine Self-Attestation** or **Formulaic Declaration**, a recurring motif throughout Leviticus that grounds the commands in God's supreme authority and covenant faithfulness, lending immense weight to the injunction. Furthermore, the language of "defile not yourselves" employs **Metaphorical Language**, where moral and spiritual impurity is equated with physical or ritual uncleanness, highlighting the profound impact of sin on one's relationship with God. The verse also functions as a strong **Exhortation** or **Warning**, using imperative language to impress upon the Israelites the gravity of obedience and the dire consequences of disobedience, including the land "vomiting them out" (implied from previous verses).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 18:30 encapsulates core theological themes of holiness, divine authority, and the nature of covenant relationship. God's absolute demand for Israel's moral and spiritual purity flows directly from His own inherent holiness. The "ordinances" are not arbitrary but reflect His character, establishing a clear boundary between His people and the surrounding pagan cultures. The warning against "abominable customs" underscores the defiling power of sin, particularly those acts that are an affront to God's created order and His moral law. Obedience is presented not merely as a legal requirement but as essential for maintaining their covenant identity, enjoying God's presence, and securing their dwelling in the Promised Land. This verse highlights that true worship involves living a life set apart, reflecting God's purity in all spheres of life.

* [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out From Among Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 18:30 speaks powerfully to believers today, transcending its ancient context to reveal timeless principles of God's character and His expectations for His people. While the specific ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant are fulfilled in Christ, the underlying call to holiness, moral purity, and separation from the world's corrupting influences remains profoundly relevant. We are called to live lives that reflect God's character, resisting cultural norms and practices that contradict biblical truth, just as Israel was to distinguish itself from the Canaanites. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are to honor God with them, striving for personal and communal purity in thought, word, and deed. This requires discernment, courage, and a deep commitment to God's Word, allowing it to shape our values and choices in a world often at odds with divine truth. Our obedience is not for earning salvation but is a grateful response to the God who has redeemed us and called us His own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "abominable customs" or cultural norms in our society today challenge God's moral ordinances, and how are believers called to respond distinctly?**
* **How does the concept of "defilement" in Leviticus 18:30 relate to the spiritual defilement of sin in a believer's life, and what is the remedy?**
* **In what ways does the declaration "I am the LORD your God" serve as both a motivation for obedience and a source of assurance for believers today?**

### FAQ

**What does "abominable customs" specifically refer to in Leviticus 18:30?**

Answer: In Leviticus 18:30, "abominable customs" (Hebrew: _to'evot_) refers specifically to the list of severe moral and religious transgressions detailed throughout the preceding verses of [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations and Pagan Practices"). These include various forms of incest, adultery, child sacrifice to Molech, homosexual acts, and bestiality. These practices were characteristic of the pagan nations, particularly the Canaanites, who inhabited the land Israel was about to enter. God declared them "abominable" because they were utterly repugnant to His holy character, violated His created order, and brought defilement upon both the individuals involved and the land itself.

**Why is God's declaration "I am the LORD your God" so important at the end of this chapter?**

Answer: The declaration "I am the LORD your God" (Hebrew: _Ani Yahweh Eloheikhem_) is a crucial theological anchor at the conclusion of Leviticus 18. It serves multiple vital functions. Firstly, it asserts God's absolute **sovereignty and authority** to issue these commands; they are not suggestions but divine decrees from the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Secondly, it reminds Israel of their **covenant relationship** with Him – He is _their_ God, who delivered them from slavery in Egypt and entered into a special covenant with them at Sinai. This relationship implies both His faithfulness to them and their obligation to obey Him exclusively. Thirdly, it underscores the **basis for holiness**: Israel is to be holy because their God is holy. This declaration transforms the commands from mere legal statutes into expressions of a relational and theological imperative, emphasizing that obedience is a response of love and allegiance to the God who has chosen them and set them apart, as seen throughout the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - The Book of Holiness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 18:30, with its stern warning against defilement and its call to keep God's ordinances, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant law, including these moral statutes, revealed God's perfect standard and humanity's inherent inability to meet it, leading to pervasive defilement. Christ, however, is the perfect embodiment of God's ordinance, living a life of flawless obedience and purity, untainted by any "abominable custom" or sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus bore the defilement of our sin, cleansing us not merely ceremonially but spiritually and eternally ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). In the New Covenant, the power to "keep God's ordinance" and "not defile ourselves" is no longer dependent on human effort alone but is enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Christ sends to empower believers to walk in newness of life and holiness ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ") and [Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - God's Spirit in His People")). Thus, while the law exposed sin and demanded holiness, Christ provides both the perfect example and the divine enablement for His followers to live lives set apart, honoring Him as "the LORD our God" not by external adherence to a code, but by transformed hearts and minds, becoming living temples of His Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")).

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

Leviticus 20:23

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.

Deuteronomy 18:9

¶ When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

Deuteronomy 18:12

For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Leviticus 22:9

They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them.

Leviticus 18:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:4

Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I [am] the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:26

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: