King James Version

What Does Leviticus 11:44 Mean?

Leviticus 11:44 in the King James Version says “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall y... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 11:44 · KJV


Context

42

Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. hath: Heb. doth multiply feet

43

Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. yourselves abominable: Heb. your souls, etc

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.

45

For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

46

This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse falls within the section on Clean and Unclean Animals. Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices.

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Dietary laws distinguishing clean from unclean animals, teaching Israel holiness and separation from pagan practices. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient sacrificial texts from cultures surrounding Israel demonstrate the widespread practice of animal sacrifice, but Israel's system uniquely emphasized moral atonement over magical efficacy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's holiness, as revealed in this verse, shape your understanding of worship, obedience, and daily living?
  2. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  3. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כִּ֣י1 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֣י2 of 19
H589

i

יְהוָה֮3 of 19

For I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒4 of 19

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם֙5 of 19

ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

וִֽהְיִיתֶ֣ם6 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

קָד֖וֹשׁ7 of 19

and ye shall be holy

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

כִּ֥י8 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קָד֖וֹשׁ9 of 19

and ye shall be holy

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

אָ֑נִי10 of 19
H589

i

וְלֹ֤א11 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְטַמְּאוּ֙12 of 19

neither shall ye defile

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

אֶת13 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם14 of 19

yourselves

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בְּכָל15 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ16 of 19

with any manner of creeping

H8318

a swarm, i.e., active mass of minute animals

הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ17 of 19

thing that creepeth

H7430

properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm

עַל18 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָֽרֶץ׃19 of 19

upon the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 11:44 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 11:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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