Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 18:24
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
24 30. See general note at the beginning of the ch. These vv. are probably expanded from earlier materials. After the warning in Lev 18:24 the standpoint changes, and the remainder of the passage is a reflection on the past, the verbs being really in the past tense, were defiled, was defiled, I visited, (the land) vomited.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The land designed and consecrated for His people by Yahweh Lev 25:23 is here impersonated, and represented as vomiting forth its present inhabitants, in consequence of their indulgence in the abominations that have been mentioned. The iniquity of the Canaanites was now full. See Gen 15:16; compare Isa 24:1-6. The Israelites in this place, and throughout the chapter, are exhorted to a pure and holy life, on the ground that Yahweh, the Holy One, is their God and that they are His people. Compare Lev 19:2. It is upon this high sanction that they are peremptorily forbidden to defile themselves with the pollutions of the pagan. The only punishment here pronounced upon individual transgressors is, that they shall bear their iniquity and be cut off from among their people. We must understand this latter phrase as expressing an ipso facto excommunication or outlawry, the divine Law pronouncing on the offender an immediate forfeiture of the privileges which belonged to him as one of the people in covenant with Yahweh. See Exo 31:14 note. The course which the Law here takes seems to be first to appeal to the conscience of the individual man on the ground of his relation to Yahweh, and then Lev. 20 to enact such penalties as the order of the state required, and as represented the collective conscience of the nation put into operation.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
In all these, to wit, above-mentioned sins. Whence it is apparent that the several incests here prohibited are not only against the positive and particular law given by God to the Jews, but also against the general law and light of nature. And therefore the law about these things was one of the seven precepts of Noah. And the sober heathens condemned such incestuous marriages. The Roman historians observe, that when Claudius the emperor had married his niece, (which is one of the lowest kinds of incest here mentioned,) and the senate in complaisance with him had made it lawful for any to do so, yet there was but one, and he too an obscure person, that followed his example.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. Defile not yourselves in any ofthese thingsIn the preceding verses seventeen express cases ofincest are enumerated; comprehending eleven of affinity [Le18:7-16], and six of consanguinity [Le18:17-20], together with some criminal enormities of anaggravated and unnatural character. In such prohibitions it wasnecessary for the instruction of a people low in the scale of moralperception, that the enumeration should be very specific as well asminute; and then, on completing it, the divine lawgiver announces hisown views of these crimes, without any exception or modification, inthe remarkable terms employed in this verse.
in all these the nations aredefiled which I cast out before you, c.Ancient history givesmany appalling proofs that the enormous vices described in thischapter were very prevalent, nay, were regularly practised fromreligious motives in the temples of Egypt and the groves of Canaanand it was these gigantic social disorders that occasioned theexpulsion, of which the Israelites were, in the hands of a righteousand retributive Providence, the appointed instruments (Ge15:16). The strongly figurative language of “the land itselfvomiting out her inhabitants” [Le18:25], shows the hopeless depth of their moral corruption.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things,…. In incestuous copulations and marriages, in adultery, corporeal and spiritual, and bestiality:
for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you; that is, the seven nations of the land of Canaan, which God was about to eject out of their land to make room for the Israelites, and that on account of the above shocking vices which abounded among them; so that in some sense the land they dwelt upon was defiled by them, and called for vengeance on them, as even loathing its inhabitants, as afterwards suggested.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In the concluding exhortation God pointed expressly to the fact, that the nations which He was driving out before the Israelites (the participle is used of that which is certainly and speedily coming to pass) had defiled the land by such abominations as those, that He had visited their iniquity and the land had spat out its inhabitants, and warned the Israelites to beware of these abominations, that the land might not spit them out as it had the Canaanites before them. The pret. (Lev 18:25) and (Lev 18:28) are prophetic (cf. Lev 20:22-23), and the expression is poetical. The land is personified as a living creature, which violently rejects food that it dislikes. “ Hoc enim tropo vult significare Scriptura enormitatem criminum, quod scilicet ipsae creaturae irrationales suo creatori semper obedientes et pro illo pugnantes detestentur peccatores tales eosque terra quasi evomat, cum illi expelluntur ab ea ” ( C. a Lap.).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Lev 18:24
. Defile not yourselves in any of these things. An old proverb (62) says, that good laws have sprung from evil habits; and God reminds us that for this reason He has been induced expressly to advert to these disgusting and wicked things; for the monstrosities which He mentions would have been concealed in eternal silence had not necessity compelled Him to bring them to light. But since the Canaanitish nations had advanced to such a pitch of licentiousness, that the prodigious sins, which else would have been better concealed, had been but too familiarly known from their wicked habits, God warns His people to beware of their fatal examples. First, when He says that these abominations prevailed amongst the Gentiles, He indicates that evil habits by no means avail as an excuse; nay, that public consent is in vain alleged in defense of vice. But the better to deter them from imitating them, He sets before their eyes the vengeance He is about to take. It is true, indeed, that the nations of Canaan were destroyed for other reasons, but it is not without cause that He sets forth this amongst the rest, for undoubtedly God was offended by such pollutions.
(62) See vol. 2, p. 281, and note.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
SOLEMN WARNING 18:2430
TEXT 18:2430
24
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you;
25
and the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomiteth out her inhabitants.
26
Ye therefore shall keep my statutes and mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourneth among you
27
(for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled);
28
that the land vomit not you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.
29
For whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.
30
Therefore shall ye keep my charge, that ye practise not any of these abominable customs, which were practised before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am Jehovah your God.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 18:2430
409.
The defilement of Israel by the ways, customs, or life style of Egypt and Canaan was deeper than ceremonial uncleanness. Discuss.
410.
The land of Canaan was sick and ready to vomit. What a graphic figure of speech! Discuss the cause and effect.
411.
Evidently obedience was the one quality God wanted most. Is this a fair appraisal?
412.
What is meant by the word abomination?
413.
Why refer to the land as sick and not of God as such?
414.
Excommunication was a real danger. Was it ever practiced? Discuss.
415.
Why repeat so often the phrase, I am the Lord your God?
PARAPHRASE 18:2430
Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for these are the things the heathen do; and because they do them I am going to cast them out from the land into which you are going. That entire country is defiled with this kind of activity; that is why I am punishing the people living there, and will throw them out of the land. You must strictly obey all of My laws and ordinances, and you must not do any of these abominable things; these laws apply both to you who are born in the nation of Israel and to foreigners living among you. Yes, all these abominations have been done continually by the people of the land where I am taking you, and the land is defiled. Do not do these things or I will throw you out of the land, just as I will throw out the nations that live there now. Whoever does any of these terrible deeds shall be excommunicated from this nation. So be very sure to obey My laws, and do not practice any of these horrible customs. Do not defile yourselves with the evil deeds of those living in the land where you are going. For I am Jehovah your God.
COMMENT 18:2430
Lev. 18:24-30 This chapter begins and ends with a reference to the sovereignty of God. The whole cause of sin is a failure to recognize and obey the will of God in interpersonal relationships.
The word defile or defile yourselves is a most provocative one. There is a deeper meaning than mere ceremonial uncleanness. Disobedience to our conscience produces a stain on the soul which only repentance and sacrifice can remove. When such response does not take place and the sin is repeated the defilement or stain becomes darker and deeper. The one large lesson we get from the rejection of the Canaanites is that they were responsible for their actions! One man for one woman was a law given by God in Eden. In the beginning it was not so are the words of our Saviour (Mat. 19:8). Whereas Jesus words refer to the words of Moses such a law was known and either kept or rejected long before Moses recorded it.
Personal failure produces national disaster! God does consider man in both ways. The land refers in its context to geography that will one day be a national possession. Does God yet hold the country as well as the individual responsible for his life style? We have no reason to believe otherwise.
The kind of immoral conduct here described and practiced by the Canaanites produced an indigestible ingredient in the national body. The whole body was full of nausea. The body swallowed such conduct, but it offered no life or energy to the bloodstream. It lay as lead in the stomach. It decomposed and could not be assimilated. It must be removed! The laws of self-preservation will take over. On a national scale, such conduct is self-destructive.
God is saying through Moses: the present inhabitants of Canaan offer a graphic object lesson. Either learn from their mistakes and prosper, or repeat their sins and suffer as they are.
FACT QUESTIONS 18:2430
418.
Show the similarity in the beginning and ending of this chapter.
419.
Discuss the deeper meaning of the word defile.
420.
How can we be sure the Canaanites were responsible for their actions?
421.
Show how personal failure produces national disaster.
422.
Is this generation about to be vomited out of the national body of America? Discuss.
423.
Perhaps God does not recognize nations as such today. Discuss.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(24) Defile not ye yourselves.The Lawgiver who solemnly introduced these precepts by five verses of preamble at the beginning of the chapter (Lev. 18:1-5), now concludes by an equally solemn appeal to Gods people sacredly to observe them in all their integrity, since the violation of them (Lev. 18:6-23) has branded those nations with infamy, and brought about their national destruction, and expulsion from the very land which is now to be given to the Israelites.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Summary Warning Of The Consequences Of Disobedience ( Lev 18:24-30 ).
Lev 18:24
“Do not defile yourselves in any of these things, for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you, and the land is defiled. That is why I am visiting its iniquity on it, and the land is vomiting (about to vomit) out her inhabitants.”
All that has been described is defiling. They are therefore to avoid doing such things. They should remember that it was this kind of behaviour that has caused God’s anger to come against the Canaanites in order to drive them from the land. The land is vomiting the Canaanites out because it has been made sick because of their behaviour. And it is because of that that God is now visiting His judgment on them for it. Their iniquity has now peaked (compare Gen 15:16). His purpose is to cleanse the land of them.
Lev 18:26-28
“You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger who sojourns among you, (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, who were before you, and the land is defiled); that the land vomit not you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.”
So Israel must now ‘keep’ (take note of, observe and carry out) His statutes and His ordinances, His laws and His cultic requirements. Neither they nor those whom they allow to dwell among them must engage in such abominations. They are replacing the Canaanites in Yahweh’s land in order to purify the land. If they do such things they too will be vomited out because they have defiled themselves and the land. For it is because of such abominations that the Canaanites are to be driven out in order to cleanse the land ready for their occupation.
We are reminded here how the Laodicean church made God vomit (Rev 3:16). We should beware lest we too make God vomit through our disobedience and cold-heartedness.
Lev 18:29
“For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the people that do them shall be cut off from among their people.”
Therefore any who behave in any of these ways are to be cut off from among the people. The point is that they must be removed from among God’s covenant people and from the land. It may be that God allowed the people to do the ‘cutting off’ in whatever way they wished, by death or exile (as the Canaanites could be either killed or driven out), or that He intended to do it Himself.
Lev 18:30
“Therefore shall you keep my charge, that you do not practise any of these abominable customs, which were practised before you, and that you do not defile yourselves in them. I am Yahweh your God.”
So they are to keep God’s charge, obey His will, and are not to practise any of the abominable things practised by the Canaanites. Such things are defiling, and they must remember with Whom they have to do. He is Yahweh, the Holy One, their God Who has spoken all these things and is there to ensure that they fulfil them (Yahweh – ‘the One Who is there’).
It need hardly be said that it is also incumbent on us to ensure that we too avoid such ‘abominations’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Lev 18:24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
Ver. 24. The nations are defiled. ] And yet are not the Scriptures defiled, by providing against such filthinesses, no more than the sunbeams are by shining upon a stinking lake.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Defile: Lev 18:6-23, Lev 18:30, Jer 44:4, Mat 15:18-20, Mar 7:10-23, 1Co 3:17
for: Lev 20:22, Lev 20:23, Deu 12:31, Deu 18:12
Reciprocal: Exo 34:24 – I will Lev 18:27 – General Lev 20:16 – And if a woman Deu 9:4 – for the wickedness Deu 24:4 – thou shalt 1Ki 9:7 – will I cut 2Ch 33:2 – like unto 2Ch 33:9 – the heathen Ezr 9:1 – doing according Ezr 9:11 – The land Psa 53:1 – have done Isa 24:5 – defiled Jer 2:7 – ye defiled Jer 3:1 – shall not that Eze 11:12 – but Eze 28:16 – therefore Eze 31:11 – I have driven Eze 36:17 – they defiled Mic 2:10 – because Mal 2:11 – and an
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Sexual immorality defiled the land as well as the people who practiced it (Lev 18:25; Lev 18:27). The punishment for these abominations was death (Lev 18:29). This section closes with a reminder that the basis for these laws was the character of Israel’s God (Lev 18:30).
The sexual sins to which Moses referred break down the structure of society by breaking down the family. Moreover they evidence a lack of respect for the life and rights of others. Furthermore they cause diseases. By prohibiting them God was guarding His people from things that would destroy them. Destruction and death are always the consequences of sin (Rom 6:23).
The New Testament writers restated the laws on incest (cf. 1Co 5:1-5), adultery (cf. Rom 13:9), idolatry (cf 1Co 10:7-11; Rev 2:14), and homosexuality (cf. Rom 1:27; 1Co 6:9). They are binding on us who live under the New Covenant. [Note: J. Daniel Hays, "Applying the Old Testament Law Today," Bibliotheca Sacra 158:629 (January-March 2001):21-35, explained and advocated "principlizing" as a method of application in this helpful article.]
"The people of God must remain loyal to their covenant God and not become involved in the abominable practices of the world that God will judge." [Note: Ross, p. 348.]