Leviticus 20:8

KJV

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I [am] the LORD which sanctify you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall keep {H8104} my statutes {H2708}, and do {H6213} them: I am the LORD {H3068} which sanctify {H6942} you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Observe my regulations, and obey them; I am ADONAI, who sets you apart to be holy.

Berean Standard Bible

And you shall keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

American Standard Version

And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:8 serves as a profound theological summation within a chapter detailing severe penalties for various defiling practices, emphasizing God's non-negotiable expectation for Israel's obedience to His statutes. It declares that their active adherence to His commands is inextricably linked to His divine work of setting them apart as a holy nation, underscoring that true holiness is not merely human effort but primarily a transformative act initiated and sustained by the sovereign LORD Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 20 is a pivotal chapter within the book's overarching theme of holiness, often referred to as the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26). Specifically, chapter 20 outlines a series of capital offenses, primarily focusing on sexual immorality (incest, adultery, bestiality, homosexuality) and idolatrous practices (child sacrifice to Molech, consulting mediums and spiritists). These prohibitions are starkly contrasted with the holy conduct expected of God's people, establishing clear boundaries between Israel and the surrounding pagan nations. [Leviticus 20:8](/leviticus/20-8 "Leviticus 20:8 - God's Statutes and Sanctification") functions as a concluding theological statement for these specific laws, reiterating the fundamental principle that obedience to God's commands is the means by which Israel lives out its consecrated identity, and it is God who enables this distinction. It echoes the broader calls to holiness found throughout the book, such as in [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy") and [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - You Shall Be Holy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws in Leviticus were given to the newly formed nation of Israel, recently delivered from slavery in Egypt and now encamped at Mount Sinai. They were about to enter the land of Canaan, a region saturated with the very abominable practices that God was prohibiting. The Canaanite religions involved cultic prostitution, child sacrifice, and various forms of divination, which were deeply ingrained in their societal fabric. God's commands in [Leviticus 20](/leviticus/20 "Leviticus 20 - Laws of Holiness") were designed to establish Israel as a people distinct from these surrounding cultures, reflecting the holiness of their God. This distinction was not merely for ethical purity but was foundational to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, established at Sinai (cf. [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation")). The phrase "I am the LORD" (Hebrew: *Yahweh*) frequently punctuates these laws, serving as a powerful divine warrant and a reminder of God's supreme authority, covenant faithfulness, and unique identity as the one true God who sets His people apart.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Keep (Hebrew, _shamar'_):** This word implies guarding, observing, or preserving. It denotes an active, diligent watchfulness over God's statutes, not merely passive acknowledgment. It suggests a careful adherence, as one would guard a precious treasure or observe a solemn oath.
* **Do (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** This verb signifies active performance, making, or accomplishing. Paired with "keep," it emphasizes that God's commands are not just to be known or guarded mentally, but to be put into practice. It demands concrete, tangible obedience in daily life.
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qadash'_):** In the Hiphil stem (causative) in this verse, *qadash* means "to cause to be holy," "to set apart," or "to consecrate." It highlights God's active, transformative role in making His people holy. It's not merely that He *is* holy, but that He *makes* His people holy, distinguishing them from the common, profane, or pagan, and dedicating them for His exclusive service and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them":** This opening clause lays out the human responsibility within the covenant. "Statutes" (חֻקֹּתַי, *chuqqotay*) refers to God's prescribed rules and ordinances, embodying His divine will and character. The dual command "keep... and do" underscores the comprehensive nature of the required obedience: it demands both careful preservation of the law in mind and heart, and diligent execution of it in action. This is not optional but foundational to Israel's identity and relationship with God.
* **"I [am] the LORD which sanctify you."** This powerful declaration immediately follows the command, revealing the divine enablement and ultimate source of holiness. "I am the LORD" (אֲנִי יְהוָה, *ani YHWH*) is the covenant name of God, Yahweh, asserting His absolute sovereignty, faithfulness, and unique identity as the God who acts in history. The phrase "which sanctify you" clarifies that Israel's ability to "keep and do" God's statutes, and thus to be holy, is not inherent but is a direct result of God's ongoing, active work in their lives. He is the one who sets them apart, purifies them, and enables them to live a consecrated life distinct from the nations. This establishes a profound theological truth: human obedience is a response to, and enabled by, divine grace and power.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. There is a clear **Assertion of Divine Authority** through the emphatic "I am the LORD," which serves as the ultimate warrant for the preceding commands and the basis for God's sanctifying work. The structure also exhibits a form of **Covenant Language**, where human obligation ("keep my statutes, and do them") is directly tied to divine promise and action ("I am the LORD which sanctify you"). This creates a **Cause and Effect** relationship, where obedience is the pathway through which God's sanctifying power is experienced and manifested. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Emphasis** through its concise formulation, acting as a concluding summary statement that distills the essence of the chapter's demands into a foundational theological principle. The pairing of "keep" and "do" creates a **Merism**, encompassing the totality of obedience – both internal adherence and external action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:8 profoundly articulates the interplay between divine initiative and human responsibility in the process of sanctification. It reveals that holiness is not merely an ethical pursuit achieved by human effort, but fundamentally a gift and ongoing work of God, to which humanity is called to respond in active obedience. God, as the sovereign LORD, is the source and enabler of holiness, setting His people apart for Himself. This concept establishes a pattern for the entire biblical narrative: God calls, God enables, and humanity responds. True holiness, therefore, is a relational state, a life lived in consecration to the One who sanctifies.

* [Exodus 31:13](/exodus/31-13 "The Sabbath as a Sign of Sanctification")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1-peter/1-15 "Be Holy in All Your Conduct")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Pursue Peace and Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 20:8 calls believers today to a deep reflection on the nature of their walk with God. While we are no longer under the ceremonial law, the principle remains: our active obedience to God's moral commands is not merely a legalistic requirement but an integral part of our relationship with Him and a demonstration of His ongoing work within us. We are called to live lives set apart for God, distinct from the prevailing values and practices of the world, not by our own strength or self-righteousness, but by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Our pursuit of holiness is a willing response to God's initiating love and His active work of sanctification. This verse reminds us that our distinctiveness as followers of Christ comes from both our commitment to His teachings and His transformative power in our lives, making us more like Him and enabling us to reflect His character to the world. It’s a call to yield to God's work, knowing that true holiness is a partnership where His power enables our willing obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life are you actively "keeping" and "doing" God's statutes, and where might you be falling short?**
* **How do you recognize and rely on God's active work of sanctification in your daily life, rather than solely on your own efforts?**
* **What does it mean practically to live a life "set apart" by the LORD in today's cultural context?**

### FAQ
**What does "sanctify" mean in the context of Leviticus 20:8?**

Answer: In Leviticus 20:8, "sanctify" (Hebrew: *qadash*) means that God actively sets His people apart, consecrates them, and makes them holy. It's not just that God *is* holy, but that He *causes* or *enables* Israel to be holy. This involves a divine act of purification and dedication, distinguishing them from the common or profane, and dedicating them for His exclusive service. It implies a transformation of their character and conduct to reflect His own holy nature, allowing them to live in a way that is pleasing to Him and distinct from the surrounding pagan nations, as seen throughout [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus").

**Is this verse still relevant for Christians today, given that we are not under the Old Testament law?**

Answer: Absolutely. While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation or for ceremonial practices, the underlying theological principles of [Leviticus 20:8](/leviticus/20-8 "Leviticus 20:8 - God's Statutes and Sanctification") remain profoundly relevant. The call to "keep my statutes, and do them" translates into obedience to God's moral commands and the teachings of Christ found in the New Testament. More importantly, the declaration "I am the LORD which sanctify you" highlights that holiness is primarily a divine work. For believers, this work is accomplished through Christ's atoning sacrifice and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live a life set apart for God. Our pursuit of holiness is a response to God's grace and an ongoing process of being conformed to the image of Christ (cf. [Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 20:8, with its profound declaration "I am the LORD which sanctify you," finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament law revealed God's standard of holiness and His desire to set His people apart, it also exposed humanity's inability to perfectly "keep" and "do" His statutes. Jesus, however, perfectly fulfilled every statute, living a life of absolute obedience and holiness (cf. [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Was Tempted in Every Way")). He is the Holy One of God, and through His sacrificial death on the cross, He became the means by which God truly sanctifies His people. We are not sanctified by our own keeping of the law, but by God's gracious act in Christ. [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Offering") declares, "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Furthermore, [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1-corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption") states that Christ Jesus "became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, indwells believers, empowering them to live out the holiness that is already theirs in Christ, enabling them to "keep and do" God's will not out of legalistic compulsion, but out of grateful love and transformed hearts (cf. [Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")). Thus, the divine promise of sanctification is perfectly realized in the new covenant through our union with the risen Christ.

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

Exodus 31:13

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it [is] a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I [am] the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Leviticus 21:8

Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, [am] holy.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

¶ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

1 Thessalonians 5:23

¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Revelation 22:14

Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Matthew 7:24

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: