Leviticus 22:31

KJV

Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I [am] the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore shall ye keep {H8104} my commandments {H4687}, and do {H6213} them: I am the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You are to keep my mitzvot and obey them; I am ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

You are to keep My commandments and practice them. I am the LORD.

American Standard Version

Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:31 serves as a foundational declaration, emphasizing that Israel's obedience to God's commandments is not merely a legalistic requirement but a direct response to His divine identity as Yahweh, the sovereign Lord. This verse acts as a powerful summation of the chapter's focus on holiness in worship and daily life, asserting that true reverence for God's sacred name and things is demonstrated through active adherence to His precepts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 22 meticulously details the regulations concerning the priests and the sacred offerings brought to the Lord. The preceding verses establish strict criteria for priestly purity, dictating when priests could eat the holy portions (`/leviticus/22-1-16`) and outlining the qualifications for animals presented as sacrifices, emphasizing that only unblemished animals are acceptable (`/leviticus/22-17-25`). The chapter also includes prohibitions against profaning God's holy name (`/leviticus/22-32`). Within this intricate framework of holiness, `/leviticus/22-31` functions as a concluding exhortation, grounding all these specific cultic and ceremonial laws in the overarching principle of obedience to God's commands, ultimately stemming from His absolute authority and unique identity. It acts as a theological anchor, reminding the people that their meticulous adherence to these laws is a direct response to who God is.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse is set within the broader context of the Mosaic Covenant, established at Mount Sinai (`/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai"`). Following their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, Israel was constituted as God's special possession, a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (`/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - A Holy Nation"`). The laws in Leviticus, including those in `/leviticus/22 "Leviticus 22 - Laws for Priests and Offerings"`, were given to guide Israel in maintaining their covenant relationship with Yahweh and to distinguish them from the surrounding pagan nations whose worship practices often involved defilement and arbitrary deities. Unlike the gods of the Canaanites, who were often capricious and appeased through ritual, Israel's God, Yahweh, was a personal, covenant-making God whose commands were rooted in His holy character and designed for the well-being and sanctification of His people. Obedience was therefore not merely ritualistic but a profound act of loyalty and worship to the one true God who had redeemed them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Keep" (Hebrew, _shamar'_):** This verb signifies more than just passive observance or intellectual knowledge. It implies guarding, preserving, being diligent, taking heed, and exercising watchful care over something. In this context, it means to carefully observe God's commandments, protecting them from neglect or violation, and holding them in high regard.
* **"Do" (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** This word emphasizes active performance and execution. It moves beyond merely "keeping" in the sense of remembering or respecting the commands, to actually performing them. It highlights the practical, tangible outworking of obedience, translating divine instruction into concrete action in daily life and worship.
* **"LORD" (Hebrew, _YHWH/Yahweh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (`/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM"`). It signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, faithfulness, and absolute sovereignty. When God declares "I am the LORD," He asserts His inherent right to command, His unwavering commitment to His covenant, and His unique status as the one true God, distinct from all idols. This declaration serves as the ultimate ground and motivation for Israel's obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore shall ye keep my commandments":** This phrase serves as a direct logical consequence ("Therefore") of the preceding regulations in Leviticus 22, which detail the requirements for holiness in priestly conduct and sacrificial offerings. It calls the people to a diligent and careful observance of these divine instructions, implying a conscious effort to remember, guard, and respect them.
* **"and do them":** This adds an active dimension to the command, emphasizing that mere knowledge or intellectual assent to God's laws is insufficient. It demands practical implementation and performance, translating the understanding of God's will into concrete actions and a lifestyle that reflects His holy standards.
* **"I [am] the LORD":** This climactic declaration provides the ultimate theological basis and motivation for the preceding imperatives. It is a powerful statement of God's identity as Yahweh, the sovereign, covenant-keeping God. Obedience is not arbitrary but is rooted in the very nature and authority of the One who commands, establishing His right to set the terms of the relationship and demanding a response of reverent submission.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 22:31 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Fiat**, where God's declaration of "I am the LORD" serves as the foundational and unassailable authority for the commands. This statement acts as a powerful **Inclusion**, framing the entire body of law with the divine identity, reminding the audience that all precepts originate from and are validated by the sovereign Creator. There is also a clear **Imperative Mood** in "shall ye keep... and do," which conveys the non-negotiable nature of God's expectations. The juxtaposition of "keep" and "do" also creates a subtle **Parallelism**, emphasizing both the internal reception and the external manifestation of obedience. Finally, the verse functions as a **Summary Exhortation**, drawing together the specific regulations of the chapter under a broad, overarching principle of obedience to God's revealed character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:31 powerfully articulates the fundamental principle that obedience to God's commands is intrinsically linked to His divine identity and authority. It underscores that true worship and a holy life are not merely about ritualistic adherence but stem from a deep reverence for who God is—the sovereign, covenant-keeping Yahweh. This verse teaches that God's commands are not arbitrary burdens but expressions of His holy character and His loving desire for His people's well-being and sanctification. Obedience, therefore, becomes an act of trust, love, and acknowledgment of His rightful lordship, demonstrating a heart committed to His ways. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, highlighting that a genuine relationship with God is always characterized by a responsive and active obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 6:2](/deuteronomy/6-2 "Deuteronomy 6:2 - Keeping God's Statutes for Long Life")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Love and Obedience to Jesus' Commands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 22:31 transcends its ancient context to offer timeless truths for believers today. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not merely intellectual assent or emotional experience, but is fundamentally characterized by intentional, active obedience. God's character as "the LORD" remains unchanging (`/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change"`), and His call to holiness through obedience is still paramount. For Christians, this obedience is not a burdensome legalism aimed at earning favor, but a joyful and grateful response to God's immense grace and salvation, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is an expression of our love for God, just as Jesus taught in `/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments"`. Our obedience is an act of worship and trust, acknowledging God's sovereignty and wisdom in all aspects of our lives, leading to a life that truly honors Him and brings Him glory. It shapes our character, refines our priorities, and aligns our will with His perfect design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's identity as "the LORD" deepen your motivation for obedience, moving beyond mere duty to heartfelt devotion?**
* **In what specific areas of your life is God calling you to move from merely "keeping" (knowing or assenting to) His commandments to actively "doing" them?**
* **How does the Holy Spirit empower believers today to live in joyful obedience, rather than perceiving God's commands as burdensome legalism?**

### FAQ
**Why is "I am the LORD" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The declaration "I am the LORD" (Hebrew: _Yahweh_) is profoundly significant because it grounds all of God's commands in His unchanging, self-existent nature and absolute sovereignty. It's not merely a statement of identity but a powerful assertion of divine authority and covenant faithfulness. When God states "I am the LORD," He reminds Israel (and us) that His commands are not arbitrary rules but flow from His perfect character as the Creator, Redeemer, and Covenant-Keeper who has the inherent right to command His people. It implies that obedience is a recognition of His unique status and a response to His gracious initiative in establishing a relationship with humanity, as seen in His self-revelation to Moses in `/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name, I AM"`.

**Does this verse imply that obedience earns salvation?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that obedience earns salvation. In the Old Testament, obedience was the *response* to God's gracious salvation and covenant, not the means of earning it. God chose Israel out of His love and mercy (`/deuteronomy/7-7-8 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Love for Israel"`), and the commandments were given *after* their deliverance from Egypt, as a guide for living in covenant relationship with Him. For New Testament believers, salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works (`/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"`). However, true faith is never barren; it invariably produces the fruit of obedience, as believers are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (`/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works"`). Thus, obedience is the evidence and expression of a transformed heart, not the means of achieving salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:31, with its emphatic call to obedience grounded in the identity of "the LORD," finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant demanded obedience to the Law, humanity consistently fell short. Jesus, however, is the perfectly obedient Son, who "learned obedience through what he suffered" (`/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Jesus' Obedience Through Suffering"`), fulfilling every jot and tittle of the Law (`/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"`). His life was the embodiment of "keeping" and "doing" God's commandments. Furthermore, Jesus is Himself "the LORD" (Kurios in the Greek New Testament), possessing all authority in heaven and on earth (`/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"`). His commands, therefore, carry the same divine weight as those given by Yahweh in the Old Testament. For believers under the New Covenant, obedience is no longer a burdensome attempt to earn righteousness, but a joyful response to the grace received through Christ's atoning sacrifice (`/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One"`). The Holy Spirit, promised by Christ, indwells believers, empowering them to walk in God's statutes and enabling them to truly "keep" and "do" His commands, writing God's law on their hearts (`/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts"` and `/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Righteousness of the Law Fulfilled in Us"`). Our obedience, therefore, becomes a reflection of Christ's life within us, bringing glory to the Father (`/john/15-8 "John 15:8 - Bearing Much Fruit to Glorify God"`).

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

Deuteronomy 4:40

Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong [thy] days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

Leviticus 19:37

Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I [am] the LORD.

Numbers 15:40

That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

Leviticus 18:4

Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I [am] the LORD your God.

Leviticus 18:5

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 4:1

¶ Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would abound more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4:2

For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.