1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.
3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.
4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.
5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.
7 The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.
9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.
10 The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness.
11 The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
12 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman.
13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.
15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.
17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.
19 Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.
20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her.
21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.
29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.
The book of Leviticus is the third book in the Old Testament of the KJV Holy Bible, and it is considered to be one of the most important books in the Bible. It is believed to have been written by Moses and it contains laws and instructions given by God to the Israelites. These laws and instructions are meant to guide the Israelites in their religious and social practices and to keep them in right standing with God.
Chapter 18 of Leviticus is a continuation of the laws and instructions given by God to the Israelites. This chapter focuses on sexual morality and the importance of maintaining purity in one's sexual relationships. It also warns against engaging in sexual practices that are considered immoral and against God's will. The main theme of this chapter is the importance of sexual purity and the consequences of engaging in sexual acts that are deemed sinful.
The chapter begins with God instructing Moses to tell the Israelites that they should not follow the practices of the Egyptians or the Canaanites, as they were about to enter the Promised Land. These nations were known for their sexual immorality and pagan rituals, and God wanted the Israelites to be set apart and holy.
God then lists a number of sexual relationships that are considered unlawful and prohibited. These include having sexual relations with close relatives such as one's mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, or cousin. This also includes having sexual relations with one's stepmother, stepfather, stepbrother, or stepsister. These relationships are considered incest and are seen as a violation of the natural order set by God.
The chapter also prohibits having sexual relations with a woman during her menstrual period, as well as having sexual relations with a man's wife. This is seen as a violation of the sanctity of marriage and a betrayal of trust.
God makes it clear that these unlawful sexual relationships are not only forbidden, but they also defile the land, and those who engage in them will be cut off from the people of Israel. This emphasizes the seriousness of these sins in the eyes of God and the importance of maintaining sexual purity.
In the second half of the chapter, God continues to outline other sexual practices that are considered immoral and against His will. These include having sexual relations with a woman who is betrothed to another man, committing adultery, and engaging in homosexual acts.
God also prohibits the offering of children as sacrifices to the pagan god Molech, a common practice among the Canaanites. This is seen as a horrific act and is strongly condemned by God.
The chapter concludes with a warning that those who engage in these sexual practices will be cut off from the people of Israel and will bring defilement upon the land. It also emphasizes the importance of keeping the laws and statutes given by God, in order to maintain holiness and righteousness.
Chapter 18 of Leviticus carries a strong message about the importance of sexual purity and the consequences of engaging in sexual practices that are considered immoral and against God's will. It teaches us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with respect and honor.
The chapter also emphasizes the idea of holiness and separation from the world. God wanted the Israelites to be set apart from the nations around them, and this included their sexual practices. This concept is still relevant today, as Christians are called to be set apart from the world and to live according to God's standards, rather than following the ways of the world.
Furthermore, this chapter teaches us the importance of obedience to God's laws and commands. God gave these laws to the Israelites to protect them and keep them in right standing with Him. Similarly, as Christians, we are called to obey God's commandments and live according to His will, in order to maintain a close relationship with Him.
Moreover, Chapter 18 of Leviticus also highlights the seriousness of sin in the eyes of God. God sees sexual immorality as a defilement of the land and a violation of His commandments. This serves as a reminder for us to take sin seriously and to strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.
In a broader context, this chapter also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ and His ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we are able to receive forgiveness for our sins and be made righteous in the eyes of God. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness for our sins.
In conclusion, Chapter 18 of Leviticus is a significant chapter in the Bible that teaches us about the importance of sexual purity, obedience to God's commandments, and the seriousness of sin. It serves as a reminder for us to live a life that is set apart for God and to strive for holiness in all aspects of our lives.
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