Translations
Modern
So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you.
Traditional
That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.
Literal
And the land will not vomit you out when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before your faces.
Latin
Cavete ergo ne et vos similiter evomat, cum paria feceritis, sicut evomuit gentem, quæ fuit ante vos.
Original
Hebrew
English
So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you.
Notes
Just as the land spewed out the Canaanites, it would also vomit the Israelites if they behaved like the Canaanites (see study note on Leviticus 18:24–25). This happened when the Assyrians destroyed and exiled the northern kingdom in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:6). This also happened when the Babylonians destroyed and exiled Judah in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:8–21).
Theme notes and profiles
Ancient Law Codes Family, Community, and Sexual Sin Holiness and Sexual Purity Holy War Human Sexuality
Parallels
Glossary
Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Incest Kinsman Leviticus, Book of Nations