King James Version

What Does Leviticus 20:23 Mean?

Leviticus 20:23 in the King James Version says “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, an...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.”

Leviticus 20:23 · KJV

Context

21

And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. an: Heb. a separation

22

Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.

23

And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

24

But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.

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. creepeth: or, moveth

Read Leviticus 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

This verse falls within the section on Penalties for Disobedience. Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community.


Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. 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. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  2. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְלֹ֤א1 of 15
H3808

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

תֵֽלְכוּ֙2 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בְּחֻקֹּ֣ת3 of 15

“in the manners”

H2708

a statute

הַגּ֔וֹי4 of 15

“of the nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁר5 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲנִ֥י6 of 15
H589

i

מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ7 of 15

“which I cast out”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם8 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כִּ֤י9 of 15
H3588

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

אֶת10 of 15
H853

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

כָּל11 of 15
H3605

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

אֵ֙לֶּה֙12 of 15
H428

these or those

עָשׂ֔וּ13 of 15

“you for they committed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וָֽאָקֻ֖ץ14 of 15

“all these things and therefore I abhorred”

H6973

to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious

בָּֽם׃15 of 15
H0

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 20:23 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 20:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:5Leviticus 18:24Leviticus 18:30Leviticus 18:3Deuteronomy 12:30-31Leviticus 18:27

Test Your Knowledge

Leviticus 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLeviticus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Leviticus 20 with CommentaryAll Leviticus ChaptersComplete Leviticus QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes