You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. You are therefore to distinguishThe Hebrew root for "distinguish" is "בדל" (badal), which means to separate or divide. This command emphasizes the importance of discernment and the ability to differentiate between what is holy and what is profane. In a spiritual sense, it calls believers to live lives that are set apart, reflecting God's holiness in their daily choices and actions. between the clean animal and the unclean
The distinction between clean and unclean animals is rooted in the Levitical laws, which were given to the Israelites to maintain ritual purity and to symbolize moral and spiritual separation from pagan practices. The clean animals were those that met specific criteria set by God, serving as a metaphor for purity and holiness in the lives of the Israelites. and between the unclean bird and the clean
Birds, like animals, were categorized into clean and unclean. This distinction further underscores the comprehensive nature of God's laws, covering all aspects of life. Historically, these laws served to protect the Israelites from health risks and to keep them distinct from surrounding nations, reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people. Do not become contaminated
The Hebrew word for "contaminated" is "טמא" (tame), which means to be defiled or unclean. This command is a call to holiness, urging the Israelites to avoid anything that would spiritually or physically defile them. It serves as a reminder of the need for purity in the presence of a holy God. by any animal or bird or anything that crawls along the ground
This phrase encompasses all creatures, emphasizing the thoroughness of God's instructions. The inclusion of creatures that crawl along the ground highlights the pervasive nature of impurity and the vigilance required to maintain holiness. It reflects the comprehensive scope of God's concern for the purity of His people. that I have set apart as unclean for you
The phrase "set apart" comes from the Hebrew "הבדל" (hivdal), which means to separate or sanctify. God, in His sovereignty, designated certain creatures as unclean to teach His people about the nature of holiness and the importance of obedience. This separation serves as a constant reminder of God's authority and the call to live according to His standards. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, who received the laws from God and communicated them to the people. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, to whom the laws of cleanliness and holiness were given. 3. Mount SinaiThe place where God gave the Law to Moses, including the instructions found in Leviticus. 4. Clean and Unclean AnimalsCategories of animals defined by God, distinguishing what the Israelites could and could not eat or touch. 5. Holiness CodeA section of Leviticus (chapters 17-26) that includes laws about holiness, including dietary laws. Teaching Points Understanding HolinessThe call to distinguish between clean and unclean is a call to holiness. God desires His people to be set apart and distinct from the world. Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites were to obey God's laws as an expression of their covenant relationship with Him. Obedience is a demonstration of faith and trust in God's wisdom. Spiritual DiscernmentJust as the Israelites were to discern between clean and unclean, Christians are called to discern between what is spiritually beneficial and what is harmful. Cultural and Spiritual IdentityThe dietary laws helped define the cultural and spiritual identity of the Israelites. Believers today are called to maintain their identity in Christ amidst a secular world. Freedom in ChristWhile the Old Testament laws served a purpose, believers now have freedom in Christ. This freedom should be exercised with love and consideration for others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of distinguishing between clean and unclean animals relate to the broader theme of holiness in Leviticus? 2. In what ways can Christians today apply the principle of spiritual discernment in their daily lives? 3. How does Peter's vision in Acts 10 challenge or affirm the dietary laws found in Leviticus 20:25? 4. What are some modern-day "unclean" influences that Christians should be cautious of, and how can they maintain their spiritual purity? 5. How can the freedom described in Romans 14 be balanced with the call to holiness and consideration for others in the Christian community? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:24-25Discusses God's creation of animals, establishing the order and purpose of each creature. Acts 10:9-16Peter's vision of clean and unclean animals, illustrating the shift from Old Testament dietary laws to New Testament freedom in Christ. 1 Peter 1:15-16Calls believers to be holy as God is holy, echoing the holiness theme in Leviticus. Mark 7:14-23Jesus teaches that what defiles a person comes from within, not from external sources, challenging traditional views of clean and unclean. Romans 14:14-20Paul discusses the freedom believers have regarding food, emphasizing love and consideration for others. People Molech, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Abominable, Abomination, Along, Animal, Animals, Anything, Apart, Beast, Beasts, Bird, Birds, Clean, Creepeth, Creeps, Declaring, Defile, Detestable, Difference, Disgusting, Distinction, Distinguish, Division, Flat, Fowl, Fowls, Goes, Ground, Hold, Manner, Marked, Moves, Pure, Separate, Separated, Separation, Souls, Teemeth, Teems, Unclean, Wherewith, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 20:25 4612 birds
7348 defilement Leviticus 20:22-26 7340 clean and unclean Leviticus 20:23-26 8269 holiness, separation from worldly Leviticus 20:25-26 4605 animals, religious role Library Tenth Day. Holiness and Separation.
I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. And ye shall be holy unto me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from other people that ye should be Mine.'--Lev. xx. 24, 26. 'Until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy.... All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.'--Num. vi. 5, 8. 'Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the …
Andrew Murray—Holy in ChristSeventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Self-Denial.
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."--Matt. xvi. 24. Good works are not the saint's sanctification, any more than drops of water are the fountain; but they spring as crystal drops from the fountain of sanctification. They are good, not when the saint intends them to be good, but when they conform to the divine law and proceed from a true faith. Yet the intention is of great importance; the Church has always taught that a work could not be called …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Epistle Lxiv. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [174] . Here begins the epistle of the blessed Gregory pope of the city of Rome, in exposition of various matters, which he sent into transmarine Saxony to Augustine, whom he had himself sent in his own stead to preach. Preface.--Through my most beloved son Laurentius, the presbyter, and Peter the monk, I received thy Fraternity's letter, in which thou hast been at pains to question me on many points. But, inasmuch as my aforesaid sons found me afflicted with the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 20:25 NIVLeviticus 20:25 NLTLeviticus 20:25 ESVLeviticus 20:25 NASBLeviticus 20:25 KJV
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