Do not defile yourselves by any of these practicesThis command is a direct instruction from God to the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and holiness. The term "defile" suggests a corruption or pollution of moral and spiritual integrity. In the context of
Leviticus 18, these practices refer to various sexual sins and idolatrous customs prevalent among the surrounding nations. The call to avoid defilement is consistent with the broader biblical theme of holiness, as seen in
Leviticus 11:44, where God commands His people to be holy because He is holy. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to His laws is a sign of faithfulness and dedication.
for by all these things the nations
The "nations" mentioned here refer to the Canaanite peoples inhabiting the Promised Land before the arrival of the Israelites. These nations were known for their morally corrupt practices, which included not only sexual immorality but also child sacrifice and other forms of idolatry. The biblical narrative often contrasts the behavior of the nations with the standards God sets for His people, highlighting the distinctiveness of Israel's calling. This distinction is further emphasized inDeuteronomy 7:1-6, where God instructs Israel to separate themselves from the nations to avoid being led astray.
I am driving out before you
This phrase indicates God's active role in the conquest of Canaan. The driving out of the nations is both a divine judgment against their wickedness and a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 15:16). Theologically, this reflects God's sovereignty and justice, as He uses Israel as an instrument of His judgment. The conquest narrative in the book of Joshua provides a historical account of this process, where God's intervention is evident in battles such as the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6).
have defiled themselves
The nations' defilement is a result of their persistent engagement in sinful practices, which ultimately leads to their downfall. This serves as a warning to Israel about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. The concept of defilement is not only physical but also spiritual, affecting the relationship between God and His people. The New Testament echoes this theme, where believers are called to live pure and holy lives, as seen in1 Peter 1:15-16. The defilement of the nations also foreshadows the ultimate need for redemption through Jesus Christ, who provides cleansing from sin and restores the relationship between God and humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
IsraelitesThe primary audience of Leviticus, God's chosen people, who are being instructed on how to live a holy life distinct from other nations.
2.
CanaanThe land that God promised to the Israelites, which was inhabited by nations practicing the abominations listed in
Leviticus 18.
3.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, who conveyed God's laws and instructions to the people.
4.
Canaanite NationsThe inhabitants of the land of Canaan, whose practices were considered defiling and abominable by God.
5.
God (Yahweh)The one true God who is giving these commands to ensure His people remain holy and set apart.
Teaching Points
Holiness and SeparationGod calls His people to be distinct from the world. Just as the Israelites were to avoid the practices of the Canaanites, Christians today are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness.
Consequences of SinThe defilement of the Canaanite nations led to their judgment and expulsion. This serves as a warning that sin has serious consequences, both individually and corporately.
Cultural InfluenceThe Israelites were warned not to adopt the practices of the surrounding nations. Believers today must be vigilant against cultural influences that contradict God's standards.
God's Sovereignty and JusticeThe driving out of the Canaanite nations demonstrates God's sovereignty and justice. He is patient but will ultimately judge sin.
Call to PurityThe call to avoid defilement is a call to purity in thought, word, and deed. Christians are to pursue purity as a reflection of their relationship with a holy God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 18:24?
2.How does Leviticus 18:24 warn against defiling oneself with sinful practices?
3.What are the consequences of defilement mentioned in Leviticus 18:24?
4.How does Leviticus 18:24 connect with New Testament teachings on purity?
5.How can we apply the warning in Leviticus 18:24 to modern life?
6.What steps can Christians take to avoid defilement as warned in Leviticus 18:24?
7.How does Leviticus 18:24 relate to the concept of moral defilement in biblical theology?
8.What historical context influenced the prohibitions in Leviticus 18:24?
9.How does Leviticus 18:24 address the issue of cultural assimilation for ancient Israelites?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 18?
11.What does the Bible say about being defiled?
12.What are the Bible's teachings on sexual ethics?
13.What is the Bible's view on child molestation?
14.What is the Bible's stance on interracial marriage?What Does Leviticus 18:24 Mean
Do not defile yourselvesLeviticus 18 opens with the Lord calling His people to live differently from Egypt and Canaan. Here He makes the call personal—“Do not defile yourselves.”
• Defilement is spiritual contamination, not mere ritual uncleanness (1 Corinthians 6:18–20).
• Holiness is expected of every believer (Leviticus 11:44;1 Peter 1:15-16).
• Obedience is the safeguard; when God says “Do not,” He protects rather than restricts (Psalm 19:7-11).
by any of these practicesThe practices are the specific sexual sins listed in verses 6-23.
• “Any” removes loopholes—nothing on that list is negotiable (James 2:10).
• God’s moral law is consistent across covenants (Matthew 5:27-28;1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
• Purity protects families and society from chaos (Proverbs 14:34).
for by all these thingsGod now explains the “why.”
• Sin has measurable consequences; nothing is harmless or private (Galatians 6:7-8).
• The wording stresses totality—“all” the listed acts were practiced (Romans 1:24-27).
• Judgment is never arbitrary; it rests on accumulated, unrepented sin (Genesis 15:16).
the nations I am driving out before youIsrael is about to occupy Canaan, but God is the One displacing its inhabitants.
• The land is His to give or reclaim (Exodus 19:5;Psalm 24:1).
• This is divine courtroom language: God is both Judge and Executor (Acts 17:30-31).
• Israel’s presence is tied to obedience; later disobedience brings their own exile (Deuteronomy 28:63-66).
have defiled themselvesCanaan’s culture did not merely contain sin; it was permeated by it.
• Self-corruption precedes divine expulsion (Leviticus 18:25;2 Kings 17:7-18).
• Moral decay always works from the inside out; judgment is the final stage, not the first (2 Chronicles 36:15-17).
• God’s warning to Israel doubles as a timeless warning to every nation (Proverbs 14:35;Revelation 18:4-5).
summaryLeviticus 18:24 is God’s loving call to personal holiness, reinforced by the sobering example of nations that ignored Him. The verse ties purity to divine blessing, showing that defilement brings judgment while obedience sustains life and inheritance.
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Defile not ye yourselves.--The Lawgiver who solemnly introduced these precepts by five verses of preamble at the beginning of the chapter (
Leviticus 18:1-5), now concludes by an equally solemn appeal to God's people sacredly to observe them in all their integrity, since the violation of them (
Leviticus 18:6-23) has branded those nations with infamy, and brought about their national destruction, and expulsion from the very land which is now to be given to the Israelites.
Verses 24-30. - These verses contain a warning against the sins of incest and impurity already specified. The reason why the Canaanites were east out before the Israelites was that
they were defiled in all these things,... and the land was defiled by them. God
visited the iniquity of these debased races, and
the land itself vomited out her inhabitants on account of their abominations. The fate of the Canaanites was therefore a witness to them of what would be their fate if they did like them.
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things.... Ye shall not commit any of these abominations,... that the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it. Special penalties are appointed for particular sins further on. Here there are but two punishments denounced, one for individual sinners, the other national. The individual sinner is to be cut off from the nation by excommunication,
For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. The nation, if it does not thus purify itself by cutting off from itself the authors of these corruptions, is to perish like the Canaanites. The words vomiteth (verse 25) and spued out (verse 28) are in that tense of the Hebrew verb which is generally called by grammarians a preterite, but this tense does not necessarily imply a past time; the time referred to depends on the context. The previous verbs, "I cast out," "I do visit," being present in
sense, the two verbs, "vomiteth out (her inhabitants)," and "spued out (the nations that were before you)," are present also (see Introduction).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notdefileתִּֽטַּמְּא֖וּ(tiṭ·ṭam·mə·’ū)Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2930:To be or become uncleanyourselves by anyבְּכָל־(bə·ḵāl)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyof these practices,אֵ֑לֶּה(’êl·leh)Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thoseforכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionby allבְכָל־(ḇə·ḵāl-)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythese thingsאֵ֙לֶּה֙(’êl·leh)Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thosethe nationsהַגּוֹיִ֔ם(hag·gō·w·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471:A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locustsIאֲנִ֥י(’ă·nî)Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:Iam driving outמְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ(mə·šal·lê·aḥ)Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outbefore youמִפְּנֵיכֶֽם׃(mip·pə·nê·ḵem)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 6440:The facehave defiled themselves.נִטְמְא֣וּ(niṭ·mə·’ū)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2930:To be or become unclean
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OT Law: Leviticus 18:24 Don't defile yourselves in any of these (Le Lv Lev.) 
