Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 20:22
Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew you not out.
22 24. An exhortation fundamentally in agreement with Lev 18:24-30.
The idea of a separation from other nations is prominent in connexion with that of holiness.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The ground is here again stated on which all these laws of holiness should be obeyed. See Lev 18:24-30 note.
Lev 20:24
Compare the margin reference.
Lev 20:25, Lev 20:26
The distinction between clean and unclean for the whole people, and not for any mere section of it, was one great typical mark of the kingdom of priests, the holy nation. See the Lev 11:42 note.
Lev 20:25
Any manner of living thing that creepeth – Rather, any creeping thing; that is, any vermin. See Lev 11:20-23. The reference in this verse is to dead animals, not to the creatures when alive.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. The land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.] See this energetic prosopopoeia explained in the note on Le 18:25. From this we learn that the cup of the iniquities of the Canaanitish nations was full; and that, consistently with Divine justice, they could be no longer spared.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes,…. All the ordinances, institutions, and appointments of God, whether observed in this chapter or elsewhere, but particularly those concerning incestuous marriages and unlawful copulations:
and all my judgments, and do them; all the laws and commandments of God, founded injustice and judgment, and according to the rules thereof; or else, as Aben Ezra, the judgments of punishment, or the penalties annexed to the above laws, which were carefully to be observed, and put into execution, to deter from the transgression of them:
that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew you not out; as the stomach does its food when it is loathsome and nauseous to it, and it cannot bear it; see Le 18:25.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The list of punishments concludes, like the prohibitions in Lev 18:24., with exhortations to observe the commandments and judgments of the Lord, and to avoid such abominations (on Lev 18:22 cf. Lev 18:3-5, Lev 18:26, Lev 18:28, Lev 18:30; and on Lev 18:23 cf. Lev 18:3 and Lev 18:24). The reason assigned for the exhortations is, that Jehovah was about to give them for a possession the fruitful land, whose inhabitants He had driven out because of their abominations, and that Jehovah was their God, who had separated Israel from the nations. For this reason (Lev 18:25) they were also to sever (make distinctions) between clean and unclean cattle and birds, and not make their souls (i.e., their persons) abominable through unclean animals, with which the earth swarmed, and which God had “ separated to make unclean, ” i.e., had prohibited them from eating or touching when dead, because they defiled (see ch. 11). For (Lev 18:26) they were to be holy, because Jehovah their God was holy, who had severed them from the nations, to belong to Him, i.e., to be the nation of His possession (see Exo 19:4-6).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
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. 26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. 27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
The last verse is a particular law, which comes in after the general conclusion, as if omitted in its proper place: it is for the putting of those to death that dealt with familiar spirits, v. 27. It would be an affront to God and to his lively oracles, a scandal to the country, and a temptation to ignorant bad people, to consult them, if such were known and suffered to live among them. Those that are in league with the devil have in effect made a covenant with death and an agreement with hell, and so shall their doom be.
The rest of these verses repeat and inculcate what had been said before; for to that unthinking forgetful people it was requisite that there should be line upon line, and that general rules, with their reasons, should be frequently insisted on, for the enforcement of particular laws, and making them more effectual. Three things we are here reminded of:–
I. Their dignity. 1. They had the Lord for their God, v. 24. They were his, his care, his choice, his treasure, his jewels, his kingdom of priests (v. 26): That you should be mine. Happy the people, and truly great, that are in such a case. 2. Their God was a holy God (v. 26), infinitely advanced above all others. His holiness is his glory, and it was their honour to be related to him, while their neighbours were the infamous worshippers of impure and filthy spirits. 3. The great God had separated them from other people (v. 24), and again, v. 26. Other nations were the common; they were the enclosure, beautified and enriched with peculiar privileges, and designed for peculiar honours; let them therefore value themselves accordingly, preserve their honour, and not lay it in the dust, by walking in the way of the heathen.
II. Their duty; this is inferred from their dignity. God had done more for them than for others, and therefore expected more from them than from others. And what is it that the Lord their God requires, in consideration of the great things done and designed? 1. You shall keep all my statutes (v. 22); and there was all the reason in the world that they should, for the statutes were their honour, and obedience to them would be their lasting comfort. 2. You shall not walk in the manners of nations, v. 23. Being separated from them, they must not associate with them, nor learn their ways. The manners of the nations were bad enough in them, but would be much worse in God’s people. 3. You shall put a difference between clean and unclean, v. 25. This is holiness, to discern between things that differ, not to live at large, as if we might say and do any thing, but to speak and act with caution. 4. You shall not make your souls abominable, v. 25. Our constant care must be to preserve the honour, by preserving the purity, of our own souls, and never to do any thing to make them abominable to God and to our own consciences.
III. Their danger. 1. They were going into an infected place (v. 24): You shall inherit their land, a land flowing with milk and honey, which they would have the comfort of if they kept their integrity; but, withal, it was a land full of idols, idolatries, and superstitious usages, which they would be apt to fall in love with, having brought from Egypt with them a strange disposition to take that infection. 2. If they took the infection, it would be of pernicious consequence to them. The Canaanites were to be expelled for these very sins: They committed all these things, therefore I abhorred them, v. 23. See what an evil thing sin is; it provokes God to abhor his own creatures, whereas otherwise he delights in the work of his hands. And, if the Israelites trod in the steps of their impiety, they must expect that the land would spue them out (v. 22), as he had told them before, ch. xviii. 28. If God spared not the natural branches, but broke them off, neither would he spare those who were grafted in, if they degenerated. Thus the rejection of the Jews stands for a warning to all Christian churches to take heed lest the kingdom of God be taken from them. Those that sin like others must expect to smart like them; and their profession of relation to God will be no security to them.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 22-26:
Nations whom Israel displaced practiced those things which Jehovah forbade to Israel. These practices caused the Lord to “abhor” quts (to be vexed; wearied with) them. This text teaches that the principles embodied in the Law apply alike to all nations, Ro 1:18-32; 2:13-15.
Israel attempted to attain to the righteousness of God, by obeying the commandments of the Law. This they were unable to do: the Law was not designed to give righteousness, but to point to the One who alone can grant life, Ro 8:3, 4.
The text teaches the principle of separation. God’s people are to be different from those around them. The lifestyle of the child of God is to reflect this difference.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
22. Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes He now warns the Israelites, for the third time, not to imitate the Gentiles, and exhorts them to keep themselves within the limits of the Law. I have already pointed out that this was not done without reason, since otherwise they might have easily fallen away into the approval of their evil habits. Moreover, lest they should shake off God’s yoke, after He has said that the nations of Canaan were destroyed on account of similar abominations, He adds, that they were made the inheritors of the land on condition that they should separate themselves from heathen nations.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
EXHORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS 20:2226
TEXT 20:2226
22
Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all mine ordinances, and do them; that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, vomit you not out.
23
And ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they did 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 flowing with milk and honey: I am Jehovah your God, who hath separated you from the peoples.
25
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.
26
And ye shall be holy unto me: for I, Jehovah, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that ye should be mine.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 20:2226
463.
This seems to be a very appropriate time to call for faithfulness to God and His laws. Why?
464.
These laws were a preparation for living. Where? When?
465.
If God described the land as flowing with milk and honey it would indeed be so. Was this adequate reason for obedience to His laws? Discuss.
466.
How could Israel make themselves detestable or make your souls abominable by bird or by anything wherewith the ground teemeth?
467.
God really wants a set apart people. Is this true today? Discuss.
PARAPHRASE 20:2226
You must obey all of My laws and ordinances so that I will not throw you out of your new land. You must not follow the customs of the nations I cast out before you, for they do all these things I have warned you against; that is the reason I abhor them. I have promised you their land; I will give it to you to possess it, It is a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord your God who has made a distinction between you and the peoples of other nations. You shall therefore make a distinction between the birds and animals I have given you permission to eat and those you may not eat. You shall not contaminate yourselves and make yourselves hateful to Me by eating any animal or bird which I have forbidden, though the land teem with them. You shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and I have set you apart from all other peoples, to be Mine.
Lev. 20:22-26 There is a temporal advantage in keeping the statutes and ordinances of God. The land of Canaan will be yours if you do and it will vomit you out if you do not. Cf. Lev. 18:28. This is an oft repeated word in Leviticus and the rest of the Pentateuch because Israel was so dull of hearing, or perhaps the allurements of sin were so near. Again and again the several distinctive differences are emphasized: (1) you have one God; they have many; your God is alive and responsive, theirs are dead and dumb; (2) you have one wife with whom you have sexual relationsin this relationship is the highest happinessthey live to satisfy their own lustsbut such lust creates its own appetite and is never full. Self-destruction and misery are in their way; (3) you have a different diet; it will keep you strong and healthy; you will live a long and happy life. They eat to their own self-destruction. I created you and the food you eat, wont you please follow my menu?
In these waysand othersyou are separated from other nations, i.e. sanctified or holy, not that you are by nature any better than other people, but you could be an example of what I want for all mankind. You belong to Me. I love you deeply and dearly; if I didnt I wouldnt take such an interest in all of your life.
FACT QUESTIONS 20:2226
476.
What was the temporal advantage in obeying Jehovah?
477.
Name and discuss the three distinctive differences of Israel to other nations.
478.
In what ways was Israel sanctified or holy?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(22) Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes.Like the prohibitions (see Lev. 18:26-30), the penalties here enacted for transgressing them conclude with an appeal to the Israelites to keep the Divine precepts, and not to be guilty of the crimes for which the former inhabitants of the land have been cast out.
That the land . . . spue you not out.Better, lest the land . . . vomit you out, as in Lev. 18:28. For this figure of speech see Lev. 20:25 of the same chapter.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. Spew you not out See Lev 18:25; Lev 18:28, notes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Israel Are Inheriting A Land Flowing With Milk And Honey And Must Not Defile It But Must Be Holy To Yahweh ( Lev 20:22-27 ).
Lev 20:22
“You shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my ordinances, and do them; that the land, to which I bring you for you to dwell in it, does not vomit you out.”
So they must be careful to keep all God’s statutes and all His ordinances, and do them, obeying all regulations and all commands. Then once they have arrived in the land they will not be vomited out, as the nations in the land are about to be vomited out. Rather will they continue to dwell in it and prosper, which is God’s real purpose for them.
Lev 20:23
“And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I cast out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.”
They are to be careful not to behave like the nations who are already there, whom God will drive out before them. They in fact did all these things that he has forbidden to Israel. That is why God hated them, that is, had an aversion towards them because of their sinfulness.
Lev 20:24
“But I have said to you, You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the peoples.”
For God’s purpose for His people is that they might inherit the land and receive it as a gift from God, as their own possession. An inheritance is something freely given and undeserved. Thus He is giving it to them freely. It is a land flowing with milk and honey, having plenteous sustenance and sweetness. And He, Yahweh their God, has separated them from the peoples that they might be holy to Him and live in holiness in the land that He has cleansed. They are His and must reveal that they are His separated ones by the way that they live and the way they behave.
Lev 20:25
“You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean bird and the clean, and you shall not make yourselves abominable by beast, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean.”
And one clear way in which they will do this is by only eating what is clean, as described in Leviticus 11. They may eat all that is clean and must avoid all that is unclean, especially that which lives in the ground. They must especially avoid all abominable things.
Lev 20:26
“And you shall be holy to me, for I, Yahweh, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine.”
So He re-emphasises, they must be holy because Yahweh, their God is holy. He has set them apart from all peoples, in order that they might be His, and live as he has directed both ritually and morally, and that they reveal Him in their lives. Then they will be His own separated off possession.
“Set you apart.” The verb is strong. ‘Severed.’ He has used His mighty arm to separate them from Egypt and from all who have come against them, and will also sever them from the Canaanites.
Lev 20:27
“A man also or a woman who has a familiar spirit, or who is a wizard, shall surely be put to death. They shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be on them.”
And especially they must avoid anyone who has anything to do with the occult or with the dead. If they find among them any indulging in contact with familiar spirits or with the dead they are to stone them with stones. Their blood will be on their own heads. There will be no guilt on Israel. This constant stress on avoiding the occult must be seen as a strong condemnation of such practises as much today as then.
So does God stress the seriousness of those things concerning which He has charged His people, and warn us that we must take His commandments seriously.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Admonition to Holiness
v. 22. Ye shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, v. 23. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation which I cast out before you, v. 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, v. 25. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean, observe the distinctions set forth in Chapter 11; 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.
v. 26. And ye shall be holy unto Me; for I, the Lord, am holy, and have severed you from other people that ye should be Mine. v. 27. A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Lev 20:22 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.
Ver. 22. See on Lev 18:1-30
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
spue. Compare Lev 18:28, where it is rendered “vomit”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
statutes: Lev 18:4, Lev 18:5, Lev 18:26, Lev 19:37, Psa 19:8-11, Psa 105:45, Psa 119:80, Psa 119:145, Psa 119:171, Eze 36:27
judgments: Exo 21:1, Deu 4:45, Deu 5:1, Psa 119:20, Psa 119:106, Psa 119:160, Psa 119:164, Psa 119:175, Isa 26:8, Isa 26:9
spue you: Lev 18:25-28, Lev 26:33, Deu 28:25, Deu 28:26
Reciprocal: Lev 18:24 – for Lev 18:28 – General 1Ki 21:26 – according to 2Ch 33:2 – like unto Isa 24:5 – defiled Jer 9:19 – our Eze 31:11 – I have driven Eze 33:26 – and shall Hos 9:3 – shall not Mic 2:10 – because
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lev 20:22-26. The Final Appeal, emphasizing the motive of separation from the customs of the original inhabitants, complementary to that of fear of defilement (Lev 18:30). Refusal to make the due distinction between clean and uncleanhere singled out as typical of full observanceentails expulsion by, as well as from, the land and rouses abhorrence (a strong and semi-physical loathing) in Yahweh Himself. Holiness in Israels conduct is necessary as corresponding to Israels own holiness or position of separation among the nations.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
This chapter, as chapter 18, concludes with an exhortation and warnings to obey God’s ordinances. In view of Israel’s unique vocation in the world, the nation was to live differently from other peoples. The Israelites would possess the Promised Land to the extent that they maintained their holiness.
No matter how lightly the Israelites may have regarded the type of conduct reflected in this chapter, in God’s sight it constituted serious sin and deserved the severest punishment.
"This theme runs through chs. 11-20: the elect people of God must visibly embody the character of God. In their choice of food, in sickness and in health, in their family life, in their honest and upright dealing, and in their love of neighbor, they show the world what God is like." [Note: Ibid., pp. 342-43.]
"God’s people must avoid the world’s false religious systems and immoral practices and follow after the LORD’s holy plan." [Note: Ross, p. 378.]