TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 20:22–27. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The last verse is a particular law, which comes in after the general conclusion, as if omitted in its proper place: it is for the putting of those to death that dealt with familiar spirits, Lev 20:27. It would be an affront to God and to his lively oracles, a scandal to the country, and a temptation to ignorant bad people, to consult them, if such were known and suffered to live among them. Those that are in league with the devil have in effect made a covenant with death and an agreement with hell, and so shall their doom be.
The rest of these verses repeat and inculcate what had been said before; for to that unthinking forgetful people it was requisite that there should be line upon line, and that general rules, with their reasons, should be frequently insisted on, for the enforcement of particular laws, and making them more effectual. Three things we are here reminded of:-
I.Their dignity.
1.They had the Lord for their God, Lev 20:24. They were his, his care, his choice, his treasure, his jewels, his kingdom of priests (Lev 20:26): That you should be mine. Happy the people, and truly great, that are in such a case.
2.Their God was a holy God (Lev 20:26), infinitely advanced above all others. His holiness is his glory, and it was their honour to be related to him, while their neighbours were the infamous worshippers of impure and filthy spirits.
3.The great God had separated them from other people (Lev 20:24), and again, Lev 20:26. Other nations were the common; they were the enclosure, beautified and enriched with peculiar privileges, and designed for peculiar honours; let them therefore value themselves accordingly, preserve their honour, and not lay it in the dust, by walking in the way of the heathen.
II.Their duty; this is inferred from their dignity.
God had done more for them than for others, and therefore expected more from them than from others. And what is it that the Lord their God requires, in consideration of the great things done and designed?
1.You shall keep all my statutes (Lev 20:22); and there was all the reason in the world that they should, for the statutes were their honour, and obedience to them would be their lasting comfort.
2.You shall not walk in the manners of nations, Lev 20:23. Being separated from them, they must not associate with them, nor learn their ways. The manners of the nations were bad enough in them, but would be much worse in God's people.
3.You shall put a difference between clean and unclean, Lev 20:25. This is holiness, to discern between things that differ, not to live at large, as if we might say and do any thing, but to speak and act with caution.
4.You shall not make your souls abominable, Lev 20:25. Our constant care must be to preserve the honour, by preserving the purity, of our own souls, and never to do any thing to make them abominable to God and to our own consciences.
III.Their danger.
1.They were going into an infected place (Lev 20:24): You shall inherit their land, a land flowing with milk and honey, which they would have the comfort of if they kept their integrity; but, withal, it was a land full of idols, idolatries, and superstitious usages, which they would be apt to fall in love with, having brought from Egypt with them a strange disposition to take that infection.
2.If they took the infection, it would be of pernicious consequence to them. The Canaanites were to be expelled for these very sins: They committed all these things, therefore I abhorred them, Lev 20:23. See what an evil thing sin is; it provokes God to abhor his own creatures, whereas otherwise he delights in the work of his hands. And, if the Israelites trod in the steps of their impiety, they must expect that the land would spue them out (Lev 20:22), as he had told them before, Lev 18:28. If God spared not the natural branches, but broke them off, neither would he spare those who were grafted in, if they degenerated. Thus the rejection of the Jews stands for a warning to all Christian churches to take heed lest the kingdom of God be taken from them. Those that sin like others must expect to smart like them; and their profession of relation to God will be no security to them.
Continue studying Leviticus 20:23 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Leviticus 20:23 delivers a solemn divine injunction to the Israelites, warning them against adopting the moral and religious customs of the Canaanite nations whom God was dispossessing from the Promised Land. This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute holiness, His unwavering moral standards, and the severe consequences of spiritual and moral assimilation, emphasizing His profound revulsion and righteous judgment against idolatry, sexual perversion, and other abominable practices that had corrupted the land and its inhabitants.
Context
Literary Context
Leviticus 20:23 serves as a climactic summary and urgent warning within the broader "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), particularly concluding the section on moral and ceremonial purity (chapters 18-20). Chapter 18 meticulously details a comprehensive list of forbidden sexual relationships and other detestable practices, explicitly stating that the land itself would "vomit out" those who committed such defilements, just as it had the nations before them (Leviticus 18:24-28). Chapter 19 then expands the call to holiness to encompass a wide array of daily ethical and ritual commands, reiterating the foundational principle: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). Chapter 20 specifically outlines the severe penalties, often death, for violating the prohibitions introduced in chapter 18, including child sacrifice to Molech (Leviticus 20:2-5), consulting mediums (Leviticus 20:6), and various sexual perversions (Leviticus 20:10-21). Thus, verse 23, alongside verse 22, acts as a powerful capstone, reinforcing the rationale behind all these laws: Israel must remain distinct and holy, lest they suffer the same fate as the nations being dispossessed.
Historical & Cultural Context
The "nation" referred to in Leviticus 20:23 primarily designates the Canaanites and other indigenous peoples already inhabiting the land of Canaan. Their "manners" or customs encompassed a wide array of practices that were utterly abhorrent to Yahweh and formed the basis for their impending expulsion. These included widespread ritual prostitution, often associated with fertility cults aimed at ensuring agricultural abundance; the horrific practice of child sacrifice, particularly to deities like Molech (Leviticus 20:2); various forms of divination, sorcery, and necromancy, which sought knowledge or power from sources other than God (Deuteronomy 18:9-12); and a pervasive disregard for sexual purity, including incest, bestiality, and homosexual acts, as meticulously detailed in Leviticus 18:6-23. These practices were not merely cultural differences but were deeply embedded in their religious systems and moral fabric, leading to profound societal corruption and defilement of the very land itself (Leviticus 18:24-28). God's command to Israel to avoid these "manners" was thus a call to radical distinction, essential for preserving their covenant identity as a holy people set apart for Him, and to prevent the moral decay that had warranted the expulsion of the Canaanites.
Key Themes
Leviticus 20:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Holiness and Separation. The verse emphatically declares God's absolute holiness and His demand that His covenant people reflect His character by being set apart from the defiling practices of the surrounding nations. This is a recurring motif, encapsulated in the command "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). Another crucial theme is Divine Judgment and Justice. The expulsion of the Canaanites serves as a powerful demonstration of God's righteous judgment against pervasive sin and rebellion, illustrating that His patience has limits and that unrepentant wickedness leads to severe consequences. The land itself is portrayed as a participant in this judgment, "vomiting out" its defiled inhabitants (Leviticus 18:25). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of Covenant Faithfulness and Land Tenure. Israel's continued occupancy and blessing in the Promised Land are explicitly tied to their obedience to God's laws and their rejection of the Canaanite way of life. Failure to maintain this distinction would result in the same judgment that befell the previous inhabitants (Leviticus 20:22).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to engrave" or "to decree," refers to an enactment, ordinance, custom, or statute. While often used in the Pentateuch to denote God's righteous laws and decrees (e.g., Leviticus 18:4-5), here it specifically designates the ungodly and abhorrent practices and traditions of the Canaanite nations. The stark contrast is implicit: Israel is to live by God's holy chuqqôt, not the defiling chuqqôt of the surrounding cultures.
This term typically refers to a people group or nation, often used in the Old Testament to distinguish Gentile nations from Israel, God's chosen people. In this context, it emphasizes the distinct identity Israel is called to maintain. The "nation" here represents a collective entity whose entire way of life, particularly its religious and moral customs, stands in direct opposition to God's character and commands.
This primitive root conveys the strong sense of being disgusted, loathed, or vexed. It signifies a complete rejection and an active turning away from something deemed repugnant or nauseating. God's abhorrence is not a mere dislike but a profound moral indignation that leads to decisive action, in this case, the expulsion of the Canaanites. It expresses divine revulsion at the depth of their sin.
Verse Breakdown
"And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation,"
This is a direct, imperative prohibition. The verb "walk" (Hebrew, yâlak) implies a way of life, a course of conduct, or a habitual practice. Israel is commanded not to adopt, imitate, or participate in the customs, statutes, or lifestyle of the Canaanite nations. This extends beyond mere ritual to encompass their entire moral and religious framework and worldview.
"which I cast out before you:"
This clause provides the divine rationale and justification for the command. God is actively dispossessing these nations from the land, not arbitrarily, but as a righteous act of judgment. The phrase "before you" highlights that Israel is witnessing God's judgment firsthand, serving as a powerful object lesson of the consequences of disobedience.
"for they committed all these things,"
This explains why God cast them out. The "these things" refers back to the comprehensive list of abominations detailed in the preceding chapters (Leviticus 18 and Leviticus 20), including child sacrifice, various sexual perversions, and forms of idolatry and occult practices. Their actions were not isolated incidents but a pervasive pattern of moral depravity and rebellion against divine order.
"and therefore I abhorred them."
This final clause states the direct consequence of their actions and the depth of God's response. Their persistent and widespread commitment to these detestable practices led to God's profound revulsion and ultimate judgment. God's abhorrence is the righteous and holy response to profound sin and rebellion against His character and commands.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message and reinforce the divine imperative for holiness. Contrast is foundational, setting the holy and distinct path commanded for Israel against the defiling "manners" of the dispossessed Canaanite nations. This highlights the stark choice Israel faced between covenant faithfulness and cultural assimilation. The phrase "which I cast out before you" functions as a powerful Warning, serving as a vivid object lesson of divine judgment for disobedience. It implies a Conditional Covenant, where Israel's continued occupancy of the land is contingent upon their adherence to God's laws and their rejection of Canaanite practices. Furthermore, the declaration "and therefore I abhorred them" utilizes Anthropomorphism, attributing human emotion (abhorrence, disgust) to God, thereby making His profound moral indignation and righteous judgment relatable and impactful to the human audience. This strong emotional language underscores the severity of the sins and the certainty of divine retribution. The repetition of the theme of "not walking in the manners" from earlier in the Holiness Code also serves as Emphasis on this critical command.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 20:23 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the biblical concept of divine holiness and the imperative for God's people to live distinctly from the world. It reveals that God's holiness is not merely an abstract attribute but a moral standard that demands separation from evil and impurity. The "manners" of the nations represent a comprehensive way of life that is antithetical to God's character, illustrating that sin is not just individual acts but can permeate an entire culture, leading to its defilement and ultimately, divine judgment. God's "abhorrence" underscores His unwavering righteousness and His active opposition to all forms of moral corruption and idolatry. This passage teaches that true worship involves not only ritual purity but also a transformed lifestyle that reflects God's moral perfection, emphasizing that the consequences of disobedience are severe and can lead to expulsion from His presence and blessings.
Reflection and Application
Leviticus 20:23 resonates deeply with believers today, serving as a timeless call to spiritual discernment and moral integrity in a world often at odds with God's standards. Just as ancient Israel faced the temptation to conform to the surrounding Canaanite culture, Christians are continually challenged to resist the "manners" of contemporary society that contradict biblical truth. This requires a conscious decision to not merely avoid overt sin but to cultivate a lifestyle of holiness that reflects God's character in every sphere—our entertainment, relationships, values, and ethical choices. We are called to be "in the world but not of the world," discerning cultural trends and ideologies that promote self-worship, moral relativism, or any form of idolatry, and to actively reject them. God's abhorrence for sin remains, and His call for His people to live in purity and righteousness is an ongoing imperative, ensuring that our lives bear witness to His transforming power and unchanging truth. Our distinction is not for isolation, but for demonstration of a better, God-honoring way of life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What specific "manners" or practices is Leviticus 20:23 referring to?
Leviticus 20:23 is a summary statement referring to the comprehensive list of detestable practices detailed in the preceding chapters, particularly Leviticus 18 and Leviticus 20. These "manners" encompass a wide range of moral and religious abominations characteristic of the Canaanite nations. Specifically, they include various forms of sexual perversion (such as incest, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality), the horrific practice of child sacrifice to pagan deities like Molech, consulting mediums and spiritists, and other idolatrous practices that involved worshipping false gods. These were not merely cultural differences but actions that deeply defiled the land and violated God's holy character, leading to His severe judgment and the expulsion of the nations who practiced them.
Does God still "abhor" certain practices today, and how does this apply to Christians?
Yes, the principle of God's unchanging character means that He continues to "abhor" practices that violate His holiness and righteous standards. While the specific cultural manifestations may differ across eras, the underlying sins remain the same. God still detests idolatry (anything that takes His rightful place in our lives), sexual immorality in all its forms, the shedding of innocent blood, injustice, and practices that exploit or harm others. For Christians, this means we are called to live lives of holiness and distinction, not conforming to the patterns of this world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Our application involves actively discerning and rejecting cultural norms, entertainment, and ideologies that contradict God's Word, and instead, pursuing righteousness, purity, and justice, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are to be a light in the darkness, demonstrating God's preferred way of life (Matthew 5:16).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Leviticus 20:23, with its stern warning against the defiling "manners of the nation," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament law, including the Holiness Code, meticulously revealed humanity's pervasive sinfulness and inherent inability to perfectly adhere to God's righteous standards and maintain the required holiness. It pointed to the desperate need for a perfect Mediator and a new covenant. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, perfectly fulfilled the law's demands, living a life of absolute holiness, untainted by the "manners" of any fallen nation or culture (Hebrews 4:15). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He bore the full weight of humanity's sin, including the very abominations that God "abhorred" in the Canaanites, thereby cleansing us and providing the means for reconciliation with a holy God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Furthermore, Christ did not merely cleanse us from sin but also empowers us for holiness. As believers, we are united with Him, becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), indwelt by the Holy Spirit who enables us to "walk" in a manner worthy of our calling, distinct from the world's corruption (Ephesians 4:1). Thus, the call to separation and holiness, once a daunting legal requirement, becomes a Spirit-empowered reality in Christ, allowing us to truly belong to God's holy nation, set apart for His glory (1 Peter 2:9), living out the very righteousness that the law demanded.