Leviticus 20:25

Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: 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, which I have separated from you as unclean.

Ye shall therefore put difference {H914} between clean {H2889} beasts {H929} and unclean {H2931}, and between unclean {H2931} fowls {H5775} and clean {H2889}: and ye shall not make your souls {H5315} abominable {H8262} by beast {H929}, or by fowl {H5775}, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth {H7430} on the ground {H127}, which I have separated {H914} from you as unclean {H2930}.

Therefore you are to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and between clean and unclean birds; do not make yourselves detestable with an animal, bird or reptile that I have set apart for you to regard as unclean.

You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you.

Ye shall therefore make a distinction between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by bird, or by anything wherewith the ground teemeth, which I have separated from you as unclean.

Commentary

Leviticus 20:25 is a summary injunction reiterating the importance of distinguishing between clean and unclean animals for the ancient Israelites, a fundamental aspect of their covenant relationship with God. This verse underscores the divine command for separation and purity, which was central to Israel's identity as a holy nation set apart from surrounding pagan cultures.

Context

This verse is found within a chapter (Leviticus 20) that outlines various prohibitions and consequences for actions that violate God's holy standards, particularly concerning idolatry, sexual immorality, and defilement. It serves as a concluding reminder of the broader dietary laws detailed earlier in the book, specifically in Leviticus chapter 11. For the Israelites, adherence to these laws was not merely about hygiene but about maintaining their ritual and spiritual purity before a holy God. These regulations helped define their distinct identity and practices, contrasting them sharply with the practices of surrounding nations.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Separation: The core message is God's call for His people to be holy, just as He is holy. The distinction between clean and unclean animals symbolized a broader principle of living a life set apart for God. It was a tangible way to live out their covenant obligations and avoid spiritual contamination.
  • Purity and Defilement: Consuming or even coming into contact with unclean animals was seen as a source of ritual impurity, which could hinder one's access to God's presence in worship. The laws were designed to prevent the "souls" (or persons) from becoming "abominable" or detestable in God's sight.
  • Divine Authority: The phrase "which I have separated from you as unclean" emphasizes that these distinctions were not arbitrary human inventions but divine decrees from God Himself. He has the authority to define what is clean and what is defiling for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term translated "abominable" (often sheqets or related forms) refers to something detestable, repulsive, or abhorrent to God. In the context of dietary laws, it signifies an impurity that makes one repugnant in God's eyes, not just ritually but potentially spiritually. This strong word highlights the seriousness with which God viewed these regulations and the importance of maintaining a distinct, undefiled relationship with Him.

Practical Application

While the literal dietary laws of the Old Covenant were largely fulfilled and superseded for believers in the New Testament (as seen in Peter's vision in Acts 10), the underlying principles remain highly relevant. Leviticus 20:25 encourages believers today to:

  • Exercise Spiritual Discernment: Just as the Israelites had to distinguish between clean and unclean, believers are called to discern between what is spiritually wholesome and what is defiling in the world. This applies to our influences, entertainment, relationships, and moral choices.
  • Live a Set-Apart Life: The call to holiness is timeless. We are to live lives that reflect God's character, separating ourselves from the sinful practices and values of the world, not to be isolated, but to be a distinct witness.
  • Honor God's Authority: Recognizing that God defines what is good and evil, clean and unclean, helps us align our lives with His will rather than relying on human standards or cultural norms.
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 14:3 (4 votes)

    Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.

  • Deuteronomy 14:21 (4 votes)

    Ye shall not eat [of] any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that [is] in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.

  • Leviticus 11:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,

  • Leviticus 11:47 (4 votes)

    To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

  • Ephesians 5:7 (2 votes)

    Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

  • Ephesians 5:11 (2 votes)

    And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

  • Acts 10:11 (2 votes)

    And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: