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.
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Summary
Leviticus 20:25 serves as a culminating divine injunction within a chapter dedicated to Israel's covenant holiness, reiterating the fundamental command for the community to meticulously distinguish between clean and unclean animals. This comprehensive distinction, encompassing beasts, fowls, and creeping things, was not merely a dietary regulation but a foundational principle for maintaining ritual purity and spiritual consecration, thereby preventing self-defilement and affirming their unique identity as a nation set apart by God.
Context
Literary Context
This verse stands as a powerful concluding statement in Leviticus 20, a chapter primarily focused on severe prohibitions and their corresponding capital punishments for actions that defile the covenant community, such as idolatry, child sacrifice, various sexual perversions, and divination. The overarching theme is the absolute necessity of holiness for Israel to remain in covenant with Yahweh and to dwell securely in the promised land. Verses 22-24 immediately precede our text, emphasizing God's command to observe His statutes and judgments to prevent the land from "vomiting out" its inhabitants, just as it had the nations before them. Leviticus 20:25 then functions as a summarizing principle, drawing together the broader concept of moral and ritual holiness by specifically recalling the detailed dietary laws previously established in Leviticus 11, thereby reinforcing that physical and spiritual purity are inextricably linked in the covenant relationship with God.
Historical & Cultural Context
For ancient Israel, the distinction between clean and unclean animals was a crucial aspect of their unique identity and covenant fidelity, setting them apart from the surrounding pagan cultures. Nations like the Canaanites and Egyptians had vastly different dietary customs and religious practices, often involving the consumption of animals considered abhorrent by Yahweh's standards or engaging in cultic rituals that involved animal sacrifice to various deities. The dietary laws, as detailed in Leviticus 11, were not primarily health codes, though they might have had incidental health benefits. Instead, they served as tangible markers of Israel's separation unto God, a constant, daily reminder of their call to holiness. By adhering to these divinely ordained categories, the Israelites ritually expressed their allegiance to Yahweh, avoiding the defilement that could compromise their access to His presence and their distinct witness among the nations, as highlighted in passages like Leviticus 18:24-30.
Key Themes
The central theme permeating Leviticus 20:25, and indeed the entire book of Leviticus, is holiness. This verse underscores the concept of separation (Hebrew: badal), emphasizing that Israel's identity as God's chosen people necessitated a distinct lifestyle. The distinction between clean and unclean animals served as a practical, daily manifestation of this call to be set apart, reflecting God's own holy nature. It also highlights the theme of purity and defilement, demonstrating that certain actions or contacts could render an individual or the community ritually impure, thus hindering their ability to approach a holy God. This is intricately linked to the theme of covenant fidelity, as adherence to these laws was a demonstration of obedience and loyalty to Yahweh, ensuring Israel's continued dwelling in the promised land and their unique relationship with Him, as emphasized in Leviticus 20:22-24.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb means "to divide," "to separate," or "to distinguish." Its usage here emphasizes the active, intentional act of discernment required of the Israelites. It is the same root used in the creation account where God "separated" light from darkness (Genesis 1:4) and the waters from the dry land (Genesis 1:7). This linguistic connection underscores that the distinctions between clean and unclean are not arbitrary human constructs but divinely established categories, reflecting God's own order and holiness.
This primitive root means "to be filthy," or "to loathe, pollute." When used reflexively, as here ("make your souls abominable"), it signifies an act of self-defilement that renders one detestable, abhorrent, or repulsive in God's eyes, particularly in a ritual or moral sense. The Strong's definition highlights the intensity of this defilement, which is not merely external but affects one's very being or "soul" (Hebrew, nephesh H5315), highlighting the profound spiritual implications of violating these commands.
Derived from a root meaning "to be red," this noun refers to "soil" or "earth." In this context, it specifically denotes the surface upon which living things "creep" (Hebrew, râmas H7430). Its inclusion emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the dietary laws, extending to even the lowest forms of life that move upon the earth, ensuring that no category of animal is overlooked in the divine mandate for distinction and purity.
Verse Breakdown
"Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean:"
This opening clause issues a direct, imperative command for active and meticulous discernment. The repetition of "clean" (Hebrew, ṭâhôwr H2889) and "unclean" (Hebrew, ṭâmêʼ H2931) and the chiastic structure ("clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean") emphasize the comprehensive nature of the distinction required across different categories of animals (quadrupeds and birds). It highlights that this is not a passive acceptance but an intentional, conscious act of differentiating according to precise divine standards.
"and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground,"
This part of the verse reveals the severe consequence of failing to make the distinction: self-defilement. The phrase "make your souls abominable" underscores that the defilement is not just external or ritualistic but penetrates to the very essence of the person (their nephesh, or life-force/being). It enumerates the categories of animals (beasts, fowls, and creeping things, including those that crawl on the ground) to ensure no loophole, reinforcing the comprehensive scope of the prohibition against contact or consumption that leads to impurity.
"which I have separated from you as unclean."
This concluding phrase provides the divine rationale and ultimate authority for the preceding commands. It is God Himself who has established these categories; the distinction is not arbitrary or culturally derived but divinely ordained. The use of "I have separated" (a form of bâdal H914) grounds the entire system of purity in God's sovereign will and His holy nature (Hebrew, ṭâmêʼ H2930, here as the state of being unclean), making Israel's obedience an act of submission to His authority and a recognition of His unique, sanctifying relationship with them.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:25 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with clarity and force. Repetition is evident in the repeated use of "clean" and "unclean," as well as the root badal ("put difference," "separated"), which serves to underscore the paramount importance of distinction and God's active role in establishing these categories. The phrase "between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean" exhibits a subtle Chiasm (ABBA structure), drawing attention to the comprehensive nature of the dietary laws and the meticulous discernment required. Symbolism is deeply embedded, where the physical act of distinguishing between animals symbolizes a broader spiritual principle of moral and ritual separation from the defiling influences of the world. The "unclean" animals are not inherently evil but serve as tangible representations of that which is incompatible with divine holiness. Finally, the verse concludes with a powerful statement of Divine Fiat, "which I have separated from you as unclean," asserting God's absolute authority as the definer of purity and defilement, reinforcing that these are not human conventions but divine decrees but rather the very essence of His holy character.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 20:25 is a profound theological statement on the nature of holiness and separation within the Mosaic Covenant. It teaches that God's people are called to reflect His holy character not only in their moral conduct but also in their daily practices, including what they consume. The distinction between clean and unclean animals served as a constant, tangible reminder of Israel's unique identity as a nation "set apart" for Yahweh. This separation was essential for maintaining ritual purity, which enabled them to approach God in worship and to avoid the spiritual defilement that characterized the surrounding pagan nations. The underlying principle is that God is holy, and therefore His people must also strive for holiness in every aspect of their lives, recognizing that true purity originates from His divine decree and not from human preference.
Reflection and Application
While the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant are no longer binding on New Testament believers, the timeless principles embedded in Leviticus 20:25 remain profoundly relevant for Christian living. The call to "put difference" between clean and unclean transcends literal food choices and challenges us to exercise spiritual discernment in all areas of life. We are called to be a people set apart, not by external regulations alone, but by a transformed heart that seeks to honor God in every thought, word, and deed. This means consciously choosing what is spiritually nourishing and life-giving, and actively rejecting what is defiling or compromises our witness for Christ. It compels us to evaluate our influences, entertainment, relationships, and moral decisions through the lens of God's holiness, striving to live in a manner that reflects His character and brings Him glory. This active discernment is crucial for maintaining spiritual vitality and ensuring our lives are a fragrant offering to God, rather than becoming "abominable" through compromise with the world's defilements.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Were the dietary laws in Leviticus primarily for health reasons?
While some of the dietary laws may have had incidental health benefits, their primary purpose was theological and ritualistic. They served to distinguish Israel as God's holy people, reinforcing their covenant relationship and teaching them about purity, separation, and obedience to a holy God. These laws were identity markers, setting Israel apart from the surrounding nations and symbolically representing their call to live a life consecrated to Yahweh, as seen throughout Leviticus 11. The emphasis was on maintaining a holy identity, not merely physical well-being.
How do Christians apply Leviticus 20:25 today, given that New Testament believers are not bound by Old Covenant dietary laws?
For Christians, the literal dietary laws are fulfilled and superseded by the New Covenant, as indicated by Jesus' declaration that all foods are clean (Mark 7:19) and Peter's vision in Acts 10. However, the underlying spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant. We are called to exercise spiritual discernment, distinguishing between what is spiritually pure and impure in our lives, influences, and choices. The emphasis shifts from external ritual purity to internal moral and spiritual holiness, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The call is to live a life set apart for God, avoiding anything that would defile our conscience or hinder our relationship with Him, and instead pursuing what is honorable and pleasing to God.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Leviticus 20:25, with its emphasis on distinguishing between clean and unclean and the imperative to avoid defilement, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in Christ. While the Old Covenant dietary laws served to physically separate Israel and teach them about holiness, Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, fundamentally redefines purity and defilement. He declared all foods clean, stating that "nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them; rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them" (Mark 7:15). This radical shift, further illuminated by Peter's vision in Acts 10, reveals that true defilement originates from the sinful heart, not from external contact with certain foods or animals. Christ Himself is the ultimate "separator," not by categorizing animals, but by separating humanity from the defilement of sin through His atoning sacrifice. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, making us clean and holy in God's sight, not through adherence to ritualistic laws, but through faith in His perfect work on the cross. In Christ, believers are made a "holy priesthood" and a "chosen race" (1 Peter 2:9), called to live lives of spiritual discernment and separation from the world's sin, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2), rather than by external regulations.