Leviticus 18:2

Translations

Modern

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: I am the LORD your God.

Traditional

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the Lord your God.

Literal

“Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: I am YHWH your God.

Latin

Loquere filiis Israël, et dices ad eos: Ego Dominus Deus vester:

Original

Hebrew

English

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: I am the LORD your God.

Notes

Leviticus 18:2

Many Near Eastern treaties started with the ruler's name and titles. The phrase, "I am the LORD your God," names the great king, Yahweh (LORD), and gives his title, "your God" (see also Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:6). These words briefly recalled Israel’s covenant with God and all it meant. By reminding the people they belonged to the Lord, these words demanded a response (Leviticus 11:44; 18:4–5). Chapter 18 starts and ends with these words, and they appear often throughout chapters 19–26.

Leviticus 18:1–20:27

Chapters 18 and 20 focus mainly on sexual matters. They warn Israel not to follow the practices of pagan peoples, whether in religion or in daily life. Between these chapters, chapter 19 urges the people to live holy lives in everyday situations.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Holiness and Sexual Purity Holy War Human Sexuality

Related verses

Exodus 6:7
I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
Leviticus 11:44
For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground.
Ezekiel 20:5
…and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted hand I said to them, ‘I am the LORD your God.’
Leviticus 20:7
Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.
Exodus 20:2
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Genesis 17:7
I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Leviticus 19:34
You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Ezekiel 20:19–20
I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.
Ezekiel 20:7
And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’
Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His inheritance!
Leviticus 19:10
You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 18:4
You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God.

Parallels

Matthew 5:27–30

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Incest Kinsman Leviticus, Book of Nations

Topics

Example: Bad, Admonitions Against

Leviticus 18:2

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