Leviticus 20:7

KJV

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I [am] the LORD your God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sanctify {H6942} yourselves therefore, and be ye holy {H6918}: for I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore consecrate yourselves -you people must be holy, because I am ADONAI your God.

Berean Standard Bible

Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.

American Standard Version

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am Jehovah your God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:7 presents a foundational command within the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the core expectation for the people of Israel: to live a life set apart for God. This verse encapsulates the essence of biblical holiness, directly linking human conduct to the very nature of God and serving as a divine imperative for their covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This command is strategically placed within [Leviticus 20](/leviticus/20 "Leviticus 20 - Laws of Holiness and Penalties"), a chapter detailing severe penalties for various forms of idolatry, child sacrifice (to Molech), and sexual immorality. The preceding verses, such as [Leviticus 20:1-6](/leviticus/20-1-6 "Leviticus 20:1-6 - Penalties for Child Sacrifice and Idolatry"), outline the dire consequences for those who defile themselves, particularly through offering children to Molech or consulting mediums. The exhortation in [Leviticus 20:7](/leviticus/20-7 "Leviticus 20:7 - Command to Be Holy") serves as a crucial ethical and spiritual imperative, distinguishing God's chosen people from the defiling customs of the surrounding nations. It is immediately followed by [Leviticus 20:8](/leviticus/20-8 "Leviticus 20:8 - Keeping Statutes and God's Sanctification"), which reinforces the divine agency in Israel's sanctification ("I am the LORD which sanctify you"), highlighting the interplay between human responsibility and divine grace. The entire chapter, and indeed the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - A Guide to Holy Living and Worship"), is largely a guide to holy living and worship for the ancient Israelites, culminating in a summary statement in [Leviticus 20:26](/leviticus/20-26 "Leviticus 20:26 - God's Call to Be Holy and Set Apart") that reiterates the call to be holy because God is holy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The commands in Leviticus, including the call to holiness, were given to Israel as they stood on the brink of entering Canaan, a land saturated with pagan religious practices and moral depravity. The indigenous Canaanite inhabitants engaged in abhorrent rituals such as child sacrifice, as prohibited in [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice"), and a wide array of sexual perversions, including incest, bestiality, and homosexual acts, detailed in [Leviticus 18:6-23](/leviticus/18-6-23 "Leviticus 18:6-23 - Prohibited Sexual Relations"). God's command for Israel to "sanctify yourselves" and "be ye holy" was a direct counter-cultural mandate. It reinforced the unique covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel, established at Sinai, as recorded in [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, God's Treasured Possession and Holy Nation"), where their conduct was to reflect His divine character. Their holiness was not merely for their own purity but also served as a powerful testimony to the surrounding nations, demonstrating the distinctiveness and moral superiority of the God of Israel compared to the pagan deities.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 20:7 contributes significantly to several major themes woven throughout the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - A Guide to Holy Living and Worship") and the Pentateuch. The overarching theme is **Holiness**, both God's intrinsic holiness and the call for His people to reflect that holiness in their lives. This verse underscores the **Covenant Relationship** between Yahweh and Israel, where obedience to divine commands is a necessary response to God's gracious election and a means of maintaining fellowship. It also highlights the theme of **Separation and Distinction**, as Israel is commanded to be set apart from the defiling practices of the surrounding nations, as explicitly stated in [Leviticus 20:26](/leviticus/20-26 "Leviticus 20:26 - God's Call to Be Holy and Set Apart"). Furthermore, the verse subtly touches upon **Divine Authority and Sovereignty**, as God's identity ("I am the LORD your God") serves as the ultimate ground for His commands, establishing His right to dictate the moral and ethical standards for His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** From H6942. This primitive root means "to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)." In the reflexive command "sanctify yourselves," it emphasizes the active, volitional choice of the Israelites to set themselves apart from the profane and dedicate themselves to God. It encompasses both ritual purification and moral consecration, signifying a deliberate act of hallowing oneself for divine service.
* **Holy (Hebrew, _qâdôwsh'_):** From H6918. This adjective, derived from the same root as _qâdash_, describes the state of being "sacred (ceremonially or morally)." When Israel is commanded to "be ye holy," it refers to the resulting state of being set apart, embodying moral rectitude and reflecting God's own pure character. It is a call to live in a manner consistent with their consecrated status as God's chosen people.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068. This is God's unique, personal, and covenant name, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal." Its presence in the concluding phrase "for I am the LORD your God" provides the ultimate theological ground for the command to holiness. It underscores God's unchanging nature, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His sovereign authority, making Israel's holiness a direct and necessary response to the identity of the One who has called them into relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sanctify yourselves therefore,"**: This imperative command calls for an active and conscious effort on the part of the Israelites. The reflexive aspect ("yourselves") highlights human responsibility in the pursuit of holiness. It implies a deliberate act of purification and dedication, a turning away from defilement and a turning towards God's purposes. This is the active step of consecration, a choice to set oneself apart.
* **"and be ye holy:"**: This second imperative, in parallel with the first, emphasizes the desired state or outcome. It's a command to *be* holy in character and conduct, not just to perform sanctifying rituals. It speaks to an internal transformation and an external manifestation of God's moral perfection in their lives. The conjunction "and" suggests that the act of sanctifying oneself leads to or is intrinsically linked with the state of being holy, indicating both process and resultant state.
* **"for I [am] the LORD your God."**: This is the divine rationale, the ultimate motivation and foundation for the preceding commands. God's intrinsic holiness is the standard, and His covenant relationship with Israel ("your God") provides the imperative. Because of who He is—the holy, covenant-keeping God—His people are called to reflect His nature. This phrase asserts God's authority, identity, and ownership over Israel, making their holiness a necessary response to His character and His gracious election.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:7 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its message. The primary device is the **Imperative Mood**, evident in "Sanctify yourselves" and "be ye holy." These are direct commands, underscoring the divine authority behind the instruction and the non-negotiable nature of holiness for God's people. There is also a clear example of **Synthetic Parallelism** between "Sanctify yourselves" and "be ye holy." While both convey the concept of holiness, the first emphasizes the active process of setting oneself apart, while the second focuses on the resulting state of being holy. They are not merely repetitive but build upon each other, showing that active consecration leads to a holy character. Finally, the verse concludes with a powerful **Motive Clause**: "for I am the LORD your God." This common feature in Mosaic Law provides the theological grounding and divine imperative for the preceding commands. It roots human obedience directly in God's character, His covenant relationship with Israel, and His sovereign identity, making holiness a logical and necessary response to who God is.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:7 encapsulates the profound truth that human holiness is not an arbitrary demand but a direct reflection of God's intrinsic nature. God's holiness is His fundamental attribute—His absolute purity, moral perfection, and transcendence over all creation and sin. As the Creator and Covenant-Keeper, He calls His people to mirror His character, enabling genuine communion and preventing the defilement that would break their sacred relationship. This verse establishes holiness as both a positional reality (set apart by God) and a practical imperative (living a set-apart life), rooted in the divine "I AM."

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "God's Holiness as the Standard")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "Call to Holiness in the New Covenant")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Pursuing Holiness for Seeing God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, the command of Leviticus 20:7 remains profoundly relevant, transcending its original ceremonial context to speak to the spiritual and ethical dimensions of our lives. Holiness is not merely an archaic concept or an optional pursuit; it is a divine mandate rooted in God's unchanging character and essential for a vibrant relationship with Him. It calls us to an intentional, active separation from the defiling influences of the world and a dedicated consecration to God's purposes. This means striving for moral purity in our thoughts, words, and actions, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. It also entails consecrating our time, talents, and resources to God's service and glory, living in a way that demonstrates His holiness to a watching world. Our holiness is not a means to earn salvation, but a grateful response to His saving grace, enabling us to walk worthy of the calling we have received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to actively "sanctify myself" by setting boundaries or making intentional choices that align with God's holiness?**
* **How does understanding God's character as "the LORD your God"—my personal, covenant-keeping God—motivate and empower my pursuit of holiness?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to "be holy" in my daily interactions, reflecting God's moral perfection and love to those around me?**

### FAQ
**Is the Old Testament concept of holiness the same as the New Testament concept?**

Answer: While the fundamental essence of holiness—being set apart for God and reflecting His character—remains constant across both testaments, its *expression*, *basis*, and *enabling power* differ significantly. In the Old Testament, holiness was largely tied to ritual purity, covenant obedience, and national distinctiveness, often achieved through external acts, sacrificial systems, and adherence to the Law. Israel was called to be holy as a nation, distinct from the pagan world, as seen in [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy"). In the New Testament, holiness is primarily an internal transformation by the Holy Spirit, made possible by Christ's atoning sacrifice. Believers are declared holy (positional holiness) by virtue of their union with Christ, as articulated in [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Sanctification"), and are then called to *live out* that positional holiness practically (progressive sanctification) through the power of the Spirit, as exhorted in [Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1-2 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifices and Transformed Minds"). The emphasis shifts from external separation from pagan practices to internal separation from sin and dedication to Christ, enabled by grace, not law.

**Why is God's holiness so central to His commands for His people?**

Answer: God's holiness is His most fundamental attribute, encompassing His moral purity, transcendent majesty, and absolute separation from all sin and imperfection. As the Creator and Covenant-Keeper, He is the ultimate standard of all goodness, truth, and righteousness. For His people to truly reflect Him, enjoy fellowship with Him, and bear His name, they must align with His nature. The command "be ye holy" is not an arbitrary rule but an invitation to participate in His character, enabling genuine communion and preventing defilement that would break the covenant relationship. It is a call to be like the One who has chosen and redeemed them, as beautifully summarized in [Psalm 99:9](/psalm/99-9 "Psalm 99:9 - Exalt the LORD Our God, For the LORD Our God is Holy"). Their holiness validates His character to a watching world and ensures the integrity of their relationship with Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Old Testament command in [Leviticus 20:7](/leviticus/20-7 "Leviticus 20:7 - Command to Be Holy"), "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I [am] the LORD your God," finds its ultimate fulfillment and enablement in Jesus Christ. He is the [Holy One of God](/mark/1-24 "Mark 1:24 - Jesus, the Holy One of God"), perfectly embodying divine holiness in His life, death, and resurrection. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus accomplished what the Old Covenant sacrifices could only foreshadow: He made us holy, not merely by external rituals but by cleansing us from sin and imputing His righteousness to us, as affirmed in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Sacrifice"). We are "sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Furthermore, the indwelling [Holy Spirit](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper") empowers believers to live out the holiness commanded in the Old Testament. This is not a self-effort to earn God's favor, but a Spirit-empowered transformation, enabling us to "walk in newness of life," as described in [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of Life"). Thus, the call to "be holy" is no longer a burdensome law but a gracious invitation to reflect the character of Christ, who is our sanctification, as declared in [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Sanctification"), and to live in union with the [Holy God](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15 - God Who Called You Is Holy") who has called us into His marvelous light.

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 11:44

For I [am] the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I [am] holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Leviticus 19:2

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God [am] holy.

1 Peter 1:15

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1 Peter 1:16

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Colossians 3:12

¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Thessalonians 4:7

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.