Leviticus Chapter 18 — Laws for Holy Living and Relationships
God gives Moses specific laws concerning moral conduct and relationships to distinguish Israel from the customs of Egypt and Canaan.
1The LORD said to Moses,
2“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am the LORD your God.
3You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived. You shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes.
4You shall do my ordinances. You shall keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God.
5You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am the LORD.
6“ ‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.
7“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.
8“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness.
9“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad.
10“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness; for theirs is your own nakedness.
11“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister.
12“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister. She is your father’s near kinswoman.
13“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s near kinswoman.
14“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt.
15“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness.
16“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.
17“ ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near kinswomen. It is wickedness.
18“ ‘You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive.
19“ ‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.
20“ ‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her.
21“ ‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.*LORD or GOD in all caps is from the Hebrew יהוה Yahweh except when otherwise noted as being from the short form יה Yah.
22“ ‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. That is detestable.
23“ ‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.
24“ ‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled.
25The land was defiled. Therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants.
26You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you
27(for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled),
28that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.
29“ ‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.
30Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.’ ”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Leviticus 18:4
“You shall do my ordinances. You shall keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God.”
This verse establishes that the authority for these moral laws is rooted in God's identity and His covenant with Israel.
Leviticus 18:5
“You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am the LORD.”
It emphasizes that obedience to God's commands is the path to life and well-being for the community.
Leviticus 18:30
“Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.”
This summarizes the purpose of the chapter: to prevent the people from becoming defiled by the practices of surrounding cultures.
Chapter Summary
In Leviticus 18, the Lord instructs Moses to tell the Israelites they must not follow the customs of the lands of Egypt or Canaan. Instead, they are commanded to obey God's statutes and ordinances. The chapter outlines strict prohibitions against various forms of improper relationships among close relatives, adultery, and other behaviors described as abominations. It also specifically forbids child sacrifice to Molech. The chapter concludes by explaining that the nations inhabiting the land before Israel were removed because of these defiling practices. The Israelites are warned that if they do not keep God's requirements, the land will vomit them out just as it did the previous inhabitants. The central message emphasizes that the people must remain holy and undefiled to dwell in the land God is giving them.
Frequently Asked Questions
God provided these laws to ensure that the Israelites lived a holy life distinct from the practices of Egypt and Canaan. By following these statutes, the people would remain undefiled and maintain their status as God's chosen people.
The text explains that the nations living in Canaan before the Israelites were cast out because they practiced the behaviors forbidden in this chapter. God warns that the land itself became defiled and 'vomited out' those who committed such acts.
The chapter states that individuals who commit these forbidden acts would be 'cut off from among their people.' It also warns the entire nation that they would lose their place in the land if they followed these customs.
Study Note
The repetitive use of the phrase 'I am the LORD' throughout this chapter serves as a divine signature, grounding the moral requirements in God's character rather than mere social tradition.
Related Chapters
Leviticus 19
This following chapter continues the 'Holiness Code' with further laws regarding social ethics and neighborly love.
Exodus 20
The Ten Commandments provide the foundational moral framework that these specific statutes in Leviticus 18 expand upon.
Deuteronomy 12
This chapter reiterates the command for Israel to remain separate from the religious and social customs of the Canaanite nations.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.