TRV
Translation
King James Version
Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
You must keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and follow them. I am the LORD.”
American Standard Version
And ye shall observe all my statutes, and all mine ordinances, and do them: I am Jehovah.
World English Bible Messianic
“‘You shall observe all my statutes, and all my ordinances, and do them. I am the LORD.’”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore shall ye obserue all mine ordinances, and all my iudgements, and doe them: I am the Lord.
Young's Literal Translation
and ye have observed all my statutes, and all my judgments, and have done them; I am Jehovah.'
See also
In the KJVVerse 3,319 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Leviticus 19 verses 30–37
30 ¶ Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.
33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.
Here is, I. A law for the preserving of the honour of the time and place appropriated to the service of God, Lev 19:30. This would be a means to secure them both from the idolatries and superstitions of the heathen and from all immoralities in conversation. 1. Sabbaths must be religiously observed, and not those times mentioned (Lev 19:26) to which the heathen had a superstitious regard. 2. The sanctuary must be reverenced: great care must be taken to approach the tabernacle with that purity and preparation which the law required, and to attend there with that humility, decency, and closeness of application which became them in the immediate presence of such an awful majesty. Though now there is no place holy by divine institution, as the tabernacle and temple then were, yet this law obliges us to respect the solemn assemblies of Christians for religious worship, as being held under a promise of Christ's special presence in them, and to carry ourselves with a due decorum while in those assemblies we attend the administration of holy ordinances, Ecc 5:1.
II. A caution against all communion with witches, and those that were in league with familiar spirits: "Regard them not, seek not after them, be not in fear of any evil from them nor in hopes of any good from them. Regard not their threatenings, or promises, or predictions; seek not to them for discovery or advice, for, if you do, you are defiled by it, and rendered abominable both to God and your own consciences." This was the sin that completed Saul's wickedness, for which he was rejected of God, Ch1 10:13.
III. A charge to young people to show respect to the aged: Thou shall rise up before the hoary head, Lev 19:32. Age is honourable, and he that is the Ancient of days requires that honour be paid to it. The hoary head is a crown of glory. Those whom God has honoured with the common blessing of long life we ought to honour with the distinguishing expressions of civility; and those who in age are wise and good are worthy of double honour: more respect is owing to such old men than merely to rise up before them; their credit and comfort must be carefully consulted, their experience and observations improved, and their counsels asked and hearkened to, Job 32:6, Job 32:7. Some, by the old man whose face or presence is to be honoured, understand the elder in office, as by the hoary head the elder in age; both ought to be respected as fathers, and in the fear of God, who has put some of his honour upon both. Note, Religion teaches good manners, and obliges us to give honour to those to whom honour is due. It is an instance of great degeneracy and disorder in a land when the child behaves himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable, Isa 3:5; Job 30:1, Job 30:12. It becomes the aged to receive this honour, and the younger to give it; for it is the ornament as well as duty of their youth to order themselves lowly and reverently to all their betters.
IV. A charge to the Israelites to be very tender of strangers, Lev 19:33, Lev 19:34. Both the law of God and his providence had vastly dignified Israel above any other people, yet they must not therefore think themselves authorized to trample upon all mankind but those of their own nation, and to insult them at their pleasure; no, "Thou shall not vex a stranger, but love him as thyself, and as one of thy own people." It is supposed that this stranger was not an idolater, but a worshipper of the God of Israel, though not circumcised, a proselyte of the gate at least, though not a proselyte of righteousness: if such a one sojourned among them, they must not vex him, nor oppress, nor over-reach him in a bargain, taking advantage of his ignorance of their laws and customs; they must reckon it as great a sin to cheat a stranger as to cheat an Israelite; "nay" (say the Jewish doctors) "they must not so much as upbraid him with his being a stranger, and his having been formerly an idolater." Strangers are God's particular care, as the widow and the fatherless are, because it is his honour to help the helpless, Psa 146:9. It is therefore at our peril if we do them any wrong, or put any hardships upon them. Strangers shall be welcome to God's grace, and therefore we should do what we can to invite them to it, and to recommend religion to their good opinion. It argues a generous disposition, and a pious regard to God, as a common Father, to be kind to strangers; for those of different countries, customs, and languages, are all made of one blood. But here is a reason added peculiar to the Jews: "For you were strangers in the land of Egypt. God then favoured you, therefore do you now favour the strangers, and do to them as you then wished to be done to. You were strangers, and yet are now thus highly advanced; therefore you know not what these strangers may come to, whom you are apt to despise."
V. Justice in weights and measures is here commanded. That there should be no cheat in them, Lev 19:35. That they should be very exact, Lev 19:36. In weighing and measuring, we pretend a design to give all those their own whom we deal with; but, if the weights and measures be false, it is like a corruption in judgment, it cheats under colour of justice; and thus to deceive a man to his damage is worse than picking his pocket or robbing him on the highway. He that sells is bound to give the full of the commodity, and he that buys the full of the price agreed upon, which cannot be done without just balances, weights, and measures. Let no man go beyond or defraud his brother, for, though it be hidden from man, it will be found that God is the avenger of all such.
VI. The chapter concludes with a general command (Lev 19:37): You shall observe all my statutes, and do them. Note, 1. We are not likely to do God's statutes, unless we observe them with great care and consideration. 2. Yet it is not enough barely to observe God's precepts, but we must make conscience of obeying them. What will it avail us to be critical in our notions, if we be not conscientious in our conversations? 3. An upright heart has respect to all God's commandments, Psa 119:6. Though in many instances the hand fails in doing what should be done, yet the eye observes all God's statutes. We are not allowed to pick and choose our duty, but must aim at standing complete in all the will of God.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 30–37. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Leviticus 19:37 serves as a powerful concluding imperative to the comprehensive "Holiness Code" presented in the chapter, urging the Israelites to meticulously "observe" and "do" all of God's "statutes" and "judgments." This command for complete and active obedience is grounded in the ultimate authority and self-revelation of God Himself, encapsulated in the declaration, "I am the LORD," thereby establishing divine character as the non-negotiable basis for all human conduct.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its message. The phrase "I am the LORD" functions as a powerful inclusio throughout Leviticus 19, framing various sections and appearing repeatedly at the conclusion of many commands (e.g., Leviticus 19:4, Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 19:12, Leviticus 19:14). This repetition serves as a constant, emphatic reminder of the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of the commands, reinforcing God's absolute authority as the ultimate lawgiver. Furthermore, the use of the imperative mood in "observe" and "do" conveys a direct command and a sense of urgency, demanding immediate and complete compliance from the people. The structure itself, moving from specific commands to a general imperative, then culminating in the divine self-declaration, creates a powerful rhetorical climax.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 19:37 profoundly connects God's unchanging holy character to the comprehensive nature of His demands on humanity. It underscores the theological truth that God's holiness is not an abstract concept but the very foundation for His people's ethical, moral, and spiritual conduct. The unity of "statutes" and "judgments" highlights that God's law is holistic, encompassing both ritual purity and social justice, demonstrating that there is no sacred-secular divide in true obedience. The motivation for this obedience is rooted in who God is—the sovereign, covenant-keeping LORD—and the expectation that His people will reflect His character in every aspect of their lives, thereby distinguishing themselves from the surrounding nations. This verse encapsulates the essence of covenant faithfulness, where obedience is a response to divine identity and love.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific legal framework of the Mosaic Law was given to ancient Israel, the underlying principles of Leviticus 19:37 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. God's character as the LORD is unchanging, and His call for His people to live righteously in comprehensive obedience is timeless. This verse challenges us to embrace a holistic faith, where our beliefs are not merely intellectual assent but are actively expressed in every area of our lives—personal integrity, social justice, and spiritual devotion. Our obedience is not simply about following rules, but about acknowledging God's supreme authority, trusting in His perfect wisdom even when we don't fully grasp the "why" behind every divine principle, and demonstrating our love for Him. It calls us to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22), allowing God's revealed will to shape our entire being and our interactions with the world, ultimately reflecting His holiness to a watching world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the phrase "I am the LORD" in Leviticus?
Answer: The phrase "I am the LORD" (Hebrew: ʾanī YHWH) is a profound and recurring divine self-attestation, particularly prominent throughout Leviticus 19. Its significance is multifaceted: it asserts God's absolute sovereignty and unique identity as the covenant-keeping God of Israel, distinguishing Him from all other deities. It serves as the ultimate ground and authority for all the commands given, emphasizing that these laws are not arbitrary human rules but divine decrees from the One who is holy, righteous, and faithful. This declaration reminds the people that their obedience is not merely a legal requirement but a response to the very nature and person of God, who demands a corresponding holiness from His people.
Does Leviticus 19:37 apply to Christians today?
Answer: While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law as a covenant for salvation or justification, the underlying moral principles and the call to holistic obedience to God's unchanging character remain eternally relevant. Jesus Himself affirmed the summation of the Law in loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and loving one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-40). Leviticus 19:37 teaches us about God's unchanging nature, His desire for His people's complete devotion, and the importance of active obedience as an expression of love and trust. For believers today, this obedience is empowered by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law by walking in the Spirit, rather than according to the flesh (Romans 8:3-4).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 19:37, with its emphatic call to comprehensive obedience grounded in the declaration "I am the LORD," finds its ultimate fulfillment and new covenant expression in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the perfect embodiment of the Law, not coming to abolish it but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He perfectly observed all of God's statutes and judgments, living a life of flawless obedience that no human could achieve. Furthermore, the divine declaration "I am the LORD" resonates with Christ's own claims to divinity, echoing the eternal "I AM" of God (John 8:58). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means for believers to be reconciled to God and, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, to have God's law written on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10). Our obedience now flows not from a legalistic burden but from gratitude and love for what Christ has accomplished, empowering us to live holy lives that reflect His character and honor the One who is truly the LORD, both in the Old Covenant and the New, as we are transformed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).