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Leviticus 19

37 verses

TL;DR

Leviticus 19 lays out Israel’s ethical and ritual law, demanding holiness, justice, and care for neighbors—including strangers—as a reflection of God’s covenant.

Summary

Leviticus 19 calls the Israelites to be holy because the Lord is holy, and to keep the Sabbath and avoid idolatry. It prescribes proper conduct in sacrifices, requiring peace offerings to be eaten immediately or burned, and imposes moral laws such as leaving gleanings for the poor, forbidding theft, deceit, and false swearing. Justice is emphasized through equitable judgments, protection of the vulnerable, and prohibitions against hatred and vengeance. The chapter also commands respect for elders, care for strangers, and fair measures and weights. Ritual instructions cover mixing of fabrics, disallowing certain sexual relations, and the sanctity of blood. Finally, it reminds Israel that it is a people once enslaved in Egypt and should honor the Lord in all statutes.

Outline
  1. Command to holiness and Sabbath observance
  2. Social ethics: justice, neighbor, and stranger
  3. Ritual regulations and prohibitions
Themes
HolinessJusticeNeighborliness
Keywords
holinesssabbathjusticeneighborstrangertrespasssacrificeenchantmentmeasurelaw
People
Moses
Places
Israelthe landland of Egypt
Things
sabbathstrespass offeringrambloodenchantmentstatutesholy
Key Verses
  • Leviticus 19:1: Foundational command to be holy, reflecting God’s own holiness.
  • Leviticus 19:15: Central injunction to judge righteously, a cornerstone of Israel’s ethical law.
  • Leviticus 19:34: Stresses love for the stranger, echoing Israel’s own experience of slavery.
Questions
  • How does Leviticus 19 define holiness for Israel?
  • In what ways does the chapter address social justice and care for vulnerable groups?
  • What does the prohibition against idolatry reveal about Israel’s relationship with God?
  • How does the treatment of the stranger in verse 34 reflect Israel’s identity as former slaves?
  • What practical implications would the laws on measuring and weighing have had for daily commerce?
Sentiment

neutral
Instructional tone, neither overtly positive nor negative