Leviticus 20:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 20:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am Jehovah your God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am Jehovah your God.
Leviticus 20:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am Jehovah your God.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, etc.] By abstaining from such impious and idolatrous practices, and separating themselves from all that gave into them, as well as by observing the holy commandments of the Lord; otherwise internal sanctification is not the work of man, but of the Lord himself, as in (<032008>Leviticus 20:8): and be ye holy; or a separate people from all others in worship and conversation: for I [am] the Lord your God; who is a holy God, and therefore it became them to be holy, in imitation of him, (<031902>Leviticus 19:2).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy--The minute specification of the incestuous and unnatural crimes here enumerated shows their sad prevalence amongst the idolatrous nations around, and the extreme proneness of the Israelites to follow the customs of their neighbors. It is to be understood, that, whenever mention is made that the offender was "to be put to death" without describing the mode, stoning is meant. The only instance of another form of capital punishment occurs in Lev 20:14, that of being burnt with fire; and yet it is probable that even here death was first inflicted by stoning, and the body of the criminal afterwards consumed by fire (Jos 7:15).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lev 11:44, Lev 19:2; Eph 1:4; Phi 2:12, Phi 2:13; Col 3:12; Th1 4:3, Th1 4:7; Heb 12:14; Pe1 1:15, Pe1 1:16 Leviticus 20:8”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“For the Israelites were to sanctify themselves, i.e., to keep themselves pure from all idolatrous abominations, to be holy because Jehovah was holy ( Lev 11:44; Lev 19:2), and to keep the statutes of their God who sanctified them ( Exo 31:13). Leviticus 20:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification