Leviticus 18:5

KJV

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye shall therefore keep {H8104} my statutes {H2708}, and my judgments {H4941}: which {H834} if a man {H120} do {H6213}, he shall live {H2425} in them: I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are to observe my laws and rulings; if a person does them, he will have life through them; I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 18:5 stands as a pivotal declaration within the Mosaic Covenant, articulating the foundational principle that faithful adherence to God's divine statutes and judgments is the pathway to a flourishing and blessed life. This verse serves as the theological bedrock for the subsequent detailed moral and sexual prohibitions in the chapter, emphasizing that obedience to Yahweh's commands is not merely an act of piety but the very means by which Israel would maintain its distinct identity, secure its well-being, and ensure its continued dwelling in the Promised Land, all under the sovereign authority of the Lord who established the covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 18:5 is strategically positioned as a foundational principle preceding a comprehensive list of forbidden sexual practices and detestable acts, which extends through the remainder of chapter 18. This chapter, in turn, is an integral part of the larger section of Leviticus (chapters 17-26) often referred to as the "Holiness Code," which emphasizes God's call for His people to be holy as He is holy. Following the detailed instructions for sacrifices and priestly conduct (Leviticus 1-10) and laws concerning ritual purity and uncleanness (Leviticus 11-16), chapter 18 shifts the focus to moral and ethical holiness in daily life, particularly concerning family relationships and sexual conduct. The introductory verses (Leviticus 18:1-4) establish God's command for Israel to live distinctly from the surrounding nations, setting the stage for the specific prohibitions that follow this foundational principle of life through obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of the giving of the Law, Israel was positioned between the powerful and morally corrupt cultures of Egypt, from which they had just been delivered, and Canaan, the land they were about to inherit. Leviticus 18:3 explicitly warns Israel not to follow the practices of either of these nations, stating, "You shall not do according to the deeds of the land of Egypt in which you lived, and you shall not do according to the deeds of the land of Canaan to which I am bringing you; nor shall you walk in their statutes." The surrounding cultures were characterized by pervasive idolatry, child sacrifice, and various forms of sexual immorality, including incest, adultery, bestiality, and cultic prostitution, which were often intertwined with their religious worship. God's commands in Leviticus 18, therefore, served to establish Israel as a holy nation, distinct from the pagan practices that defiled the land and its inhabitants. Obedience to these "statutes" and "judgments" was not merely a matter of personal piety but was crucial for the nation's corporate identity, its covenant relationship with God, and its continued enjoyment of the blessings of the [Promised Land](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Disobedience, conversely, would lead to the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants, as it had done with the Canaanites ([Leviticus 18:28](/leviticus/18-28 "Leviticus 18:28 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants")).
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 18:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Holiness**, as God calls His people to be set apart from the nations through their obedience to His moral and ritual laws. This verse establishes that the path to a holy life is through active adherence to God's commands. Relatedly, it underscores the theme of **Covenant Obedience and Blessing**, where God's promises of life and flourishing are directly tied to Israel's faithfulness to the covenant stipulations. The concept of **Divine Authority** is also paramount, as the phrase "I am the LORD" repeatedly grounds the commands in Yahweh's sovereign identity and power. Furthermore, the verse implicitly highlights the theme of **Distinction from Paganism**, setting Israel's ethical and moral standards in stark contrast to the abominable practices of the surrounding cultures, ensuring that Israel's identity as God's chosen people is preserved through their unique way of life ([Leviticus 20:26](/leviticus/20-26 "Leviticus 20:26 - Be Holy, for I am Holy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Statutes (Hebrew, _chuqqâh'_):** This term (H2708) refers to an enactment or an appointment, signifying divine decrees or prescribed rules. These are God's non-negotiable requirements, often understood as fixed ordinances or laws etched in stone, reflecting His character and will. In the context of Leviticus, _chuqqâh_ often pertains to the ceremonial and ritual laws, as well as broader moral principles that distinguish Israel from other nations, serving as a foundational framework for their covenant relationship with God.
* **Judgments (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This word (H4941) denotes a verdict, a sentence, or a formal decree, especially a divine law or ordinance. While _chuqqâh_ are fixed decrees, _mishpâṭ_ often relates to the application of these principles in specific cases, particularly in matters of civil and social justice. Together, "statutes and judgments" encompass the full breadth of God's revealed law, covering both His divine commands and their practical application in daily life, ensuring justice and order within the community.
* **Live (Hebrew, _châyay'_):** This primitive root (H2425) signifies more than mere physical existence; it encompasses vitality, prosperity, flourishing, and well-being in a holistic sense. In the Old Testament covenant, "to live" in God's statutes meant to experience a full, blessed life marked by health, safety, peace, and national flourishing within the covenant land. It implied enjoying God's favor, maintaining a right relationship with Him, and experiencing the abundance of His provision, in stark contrast to the death, destruction, and expulsion that resulted from disobedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments":** This opening clause functions as a direct divine imperative, linking back to the preceding verses (Leviticus 18:1-4) which establish God's unique relationship with Israel and His command for them to live distinctly from the pagan nations. The possessive "my" emphasizes the divine origin and absolute authority of these laws; they are not human constructs but God's own decrees, revealing His character and His will for His people. The command to "keep" (Hebrew, _shâmar_, H8104, to guard, observe, obey) implies diligent attention, faithful adherence, and active obedience to the entirety of God's revealed will.
* **"which if a man do, he shall live in them":** This is a conditional clause that articulates the covenantal promise. The phrase "if a man do" (Hebrew, _ʾăsher yaʿăśeh ʾōṯām_, H834, H6213) highlights the necessity of active performance and obedience by any individual within the covenant community. The promise "he shall live in them" signifies the direct, holistic consequence of such obedience: a flourishing, blessed life. As explored in the Key Word Analysis, "live" here is comprehensive, encompassing physical health, material prosperity, social stability, and spiritual well-being within the covenant community, all experienced in the context of God's favor. The phrase "in them" implies that true and abundant life is found *within* the framework and boundaries of God's commands, not apart from them.
* **"I am the LORD":** This is a powerful divine self-attestation, frequently used in Leviticus (and throughout the Pentateuch) to underscore the authority and identity of the Lawgiver. "The LORD" (Hebrew, YHWH, H3068, Yahweh) refers to the covenant God of Israel, the self-Existent and Eternal One who delivered them from slavery and entered into a special relationship with them. This declaration serves as the ultimate ground for the commands; they are not arbitrary rules but the authoritative pronouncements of the sovereign, faithful, and holy God who has revealed Himself to His people and demands their exclusive allegiance and obedience.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 18:5 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its theological weight and practical implications. The most prominent is **Divine Self-Attestation**, exemplified by the concluding phrase "I am the LORD." This formula, frequently used throughout Leviticus, serves to ground the preceding commands in the absolute authority and covenantal identity of Yahweh, the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. It reinforces the gravity and non-negotiable nature of the laws. The verse also functions as a **Conditional Clause** ("which if a man do, he shall live in them"), clearly outlining the reciprocal relationship between human obedience and divine blessing. This establishes a direct cause-and-effect dynamic within the covenant, where life and flourishing are contingent upon adherence to God's will. Furthermore, the pairing of "statutes" and "judgments" can be seen as a form of **Merism**, where two distinct but related terms are used to encompass the totality of God's divine law, covering both His fixed decrees (_chuqqâh_) and their practical application in justice and equity (_mishpâṭ_). The promise of "live" itself is a powerful **Symbol** of holistic well-being, encompassing not just physical existence but spiritual vitality, prosperity, and communion with God, representing the full scope of covenant blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 18:5 articulates a fundamental principle of the Old Covenant: life and blessing are contingent upon obedience to God's revealed will. This verse highlights God's desire for His people to flourish, and it establishes the Law as the means by which they could experience His favor and maintain their distinct identity as a holy nation. However, its theological significance deepens profoundly when viewed through the lens of the New Testament. While the Old Covenant promised life for perfect obedience, humanity's inherent sinfulness made such perfect obedience impossible, thus revealing the Law's inability to grant ultimate spiritual life. The Law, therefore, served to expose sin and demonstrate humanity's need for a different kind of righteousness—one not based on works, but on faith, revealing that salvation is by grace.

* [Romans 10:5](/romans/10-5 "Romans 10:5 - Righteousness based on the Law")
* [Galatians 3:12](/galatians/3-12 "Galatians 3:12 - The Law is not based on faith")
* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - By the works of the Law no human being will be justified")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 18:5, though rooted in the Old Covenant, carries profound implications for believers today. It reminds us that God's commands are not arbitrary burdens but are designed for our true flourishing and well-being. Even under the New Covenant of grace, God's moral standards, expressed in His "statutes and judgments," remain timeless expressions of His holy character and His desire for humanity to live in alignment with His good design. This verse underscores the seriousness of sin: deviation from God's ways inevitably leads away from true life and blessing, demonstrating the inherent consequences of disobedience. Most importantly, it powerfully illustrates why salvation cannot be earned through law-keeping. Since no one can perfectly "do" all of God's statutes and judgments to "live in them" in the ultimate, eternal sense, we are driven to recognize our utter dependence on God's grace and the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. Our redeemed lives, then, are not about striving to earn life, but about living out of the life already given to us through Christ, motivated by love and gratitude, seeking to obey His will not out of compulsion but as an an expression of our new identity and transformation in Him. This obedience becomes a joyful response to the salvation we have freely received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the Old Testament promise of "life" through obedience help us appreciate the gift of "life" offered through Christ in the New Testament?**
* **In what ways do God's moral commands, even today, serve as a guide for human flourishing and well-being, even if they are not the means of salvation?**
* **How can we live in a way that reflects God's holiness, not out of a desire to earn salvation, but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us?**
* **What specific "statutes" or "judgments" of God do you find challenging to "keep," and how does the reality of grace impact your approach to them?**

### FAQ
**Does Leviticus 18:5 mean that salvation is earned by keeping the Law?**

Answer: In its immediate Old Testament context, Leviticus 18:5 describes the pathway to a blessed, prosperous life within the Mosaic Covenant for the nation of Israel. It emphasizes that physical and national well-being in the Promised Land was contingent upon obedience to God's commands. However, the New Testament, particularly through the Apostle Paul, clarifies that while the Law promised life for perfect obedience, no human being could perfectly fulfill its demands. As Paul states in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All have sinned"), "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Therefore, salvation, which is eternal spiritual life and right standing with God, cannot be earned by keeping the Law. Instead, it is a gift received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law on our behalf ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by grace through faith")). The Law served to reveal sin and point humanity to its need for a Savior.

**What does "he shall live in them" mean for Christians today?**

Answer: For Christians today, "he shall live in them" takes on a deeper, spiritual meaning, fulfilled in Christ. While we are no longer under the Mosaic Law as a system for salvation, the moral principles embedded in God's "statutes and judgments" remain timeless expressions of His character and His will for human flourishing. When we "do" God's will—not to earn salvation, but out of love and obedience to Christ—we experience a form of "life" that includes spiritual vitality, peace, joy, and a deepening relationship with God. This life is not earned but is a fruit of our union with Christ, who is the source of all true life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Our obedience becomes an expression of our gratitude and a pathway to experiencing the fullness of the abundant life that Jesus promised ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus came that they may have life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 18:5, with its promise of "life" through perfect obedience to the Law, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant principle that "the one who does these things will live by them" (as quoted by Paul in [Romans 10:5](/romans/10-5 "Romans 10:5 - Righteousness based on the Law") and [Galatians 3:12](/galatians/3-12 "Galatians 3:12 - The Law is not based on faith")) perfectly describes Christ's own life. Jesus alone perfectly "did" all of God's statutes and judgments, living a sinless life in complete obedience to the Father's will ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin")). Because humanity could not achieve this perfect obedience, the Law became a curse, revealing our inability to earn life and our desperate need for a Savior ([Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - All who rely on the works of the Law are under a curse")). Christ, however, redeemed us from this curse by becoming a curse for us on the cross, bearing the penalty for our disobedience ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law")). He did not merely obey the Law; He embodied it, becoming the very source of true life. Through faith in Him, we are not only declared righteous (imputed with His perfect obedience) but are also given new spiritual life ([Romans 5:17](/romans/5-17 "Romans 5:17 - Reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ")). Thus, the "life" promised in Leviticus 18:5, which was unattainable through human effort, is now freely given to all who believe in the One who perfectly fulfilled the Law and conquered death itself, offering resurrection and eternal life to all who trust in Him ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus is the resurrection and the life")).

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

Ezekiel 20:11

And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them.

Romans 10:5

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Galatians 3:12

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Luke 10:28

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Ezekiel 20:21

Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:13

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Exodus 6:2

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I [am] the LORD: