Called to Be Holy and Just

Before You Study

Read This First

Leviticus is a book focused on God's covenant with Israel, detailing how they are to live as His holy people. The previous chapters laid out instructions for sacrifices and priestly duties, setting a foundation for worship and atonement. Chapter 19 transitions to practical holiness, showing how God's people must reflect His character in everyday relationships and community life. Understanding Israel's covenant context and God's call to holiness helps us grasp why these laws matter beyond mere rules—they reveal God's heart and His desire for a people set apart.

What You'll Learn

• How God's holiness calls His people to live distinctively in character and conduct.
• The importance of honoring parents and observing God's appointed times as acts of reverence.
• Why justice in judgment and fair treatment of neighbors reflects God's righteousness.
• The call to love others, including strangers, as an expression of covenant faithfulness.
• Practical commands against idolatry, dishonesty, and exploitation that protect community integrity.
• The significance of Sabbath observance and reverence for God's sanctuary in worship.

God calls His people to live holy lives marked by justice, love, and reverence, reflecting His own character.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Leviticus 19:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Leviticus 19:3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:5 And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will.

Leviticus 19:6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.

Leviticus 19:7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.

Leviticus 19:8 Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

Leviticus 19:10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Leviticus 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

Leviticus 19:21 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering.

Leviticus 19:22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 19:23 And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

Leviticus 19:24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal.

Leviticus 19:25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

Leviticus 19:27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:29 Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

Leviticus 19:30 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.

Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

Leviticus 19:36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Study: God initiates this chapter by speaking directly to Moses, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the commands that follow. This introduction reminds Israel that their instructions come from the LORD Himself, underscoring the seriousness and sacredness of the covenant relationship.

Leviticus 19:2

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Study: God commands Israel to be holy because He is holy, setting a divine standard for their identity and behavior. This holiness is not merely ritual purity but a call to moral and ethical distinctiveness that reflects God's own character among the nations.

Leviticus 19:3

Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

Study: Honoring parents and keeping the Sabbath are foundational expressions of reverence toward God and family. These commands link respect for human authority with obedience to God's covenant, showing that holiness involves both relationships and worship.

Leviticus 19:4

Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.

Study: The prohibition against idolatry protects Israel's exclusive devotion to the LORD. By forbidding molten gods, God guards His people's hearts from false worship, which would break the covenant and lead to spiritual ruin.

Leviticus 19:5

And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will.

Study: Peace offerings are voluntary acts of worship expressing gratitude and fellowship with God. This verse highlights the personal willingness required in worship, reflecting a heart aligned with God's covenant.

Leviticus 19:6

It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire.

Study: Eating peace offerings within a limited time emphasizes the sacredness and proper use of what is dedicated to God. This practice prevents profaning the offering and maintains the holiness of the worship act.

Leviticus 19:7

And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted.

Study: Consuming the offering after the prescribed time renders it abominable, showing God's concern for order and reverence in worship. This strict regulation teaches respect for God's holiness in all aspects of covenant life.

Leviticus 19:8

Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

Study: Profaning the holy offering brings serious consequences, including being cut off from the community. This underscores the communal nature of holiness and the need to uphold God's standards for the sake of the covenant people.

Leviticus 19:9

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.

Study: Leaving the corners of the field unharvested is a social justice command to provide for the poor and strangers. This law reveals God's heart for the vulnerable and teaches generosity as part of covenant living.

Leviticus 19:10

And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Study: Not gathering every grape from the vineyard continues the theme of caring for the marginalized. God's repeated reminder that He is their God connects social justice with covenant identity and obedience.

Leviticus 19:11

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Study: Prohibitions against stealing, falsehood, and lying protect the community's integrity and trust. These commands reflect God's righteous character and His desire for honest relationships among His people.

Leviticus 19:12

And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Study: Swearing falsely by God's name dishonors Him and breaks the covenant trust. This verse warns against misuse of God's name, emphasizing reverence and truthfulness as essential to holiness.

Leviticus 19:13

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Study: Defrauding neighbors and withholding wages violate God's justice and mercy. The command to pay workers promptly reflects God's concern for fairness and the dignity of labor within the covenant community.

Leviticus 19:14

Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Study: Cursing the deaf or putting a stumbling block before the blind symbolizes exploiting the vulnerable. God's call to fear Him here links ethical treatment of others with reverence for His authority.

Leviticus 19:15

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Study: Judging without partiality upholds God's justice and reflects His impartiality. This command guards against corruption and ensures that both the poor and mighty receive fair treatment.

Leviticus 19:16

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

Study: Prohibiting gossip and standing against a neighbor's life protects community harmony and individual dignity. God's repeated self-identification reminds Israel that these laws come from His holy character.

Leviticus 19:17

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Study: Not hating a brother in the heart but rebuking sin promotes reconciliation and accountability. This verse balances love with truth, encouraging correction to maintain covenant purity.

Leviticus 19:18

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

Study: Forgiveness and love replace vengeance and grudges, embodying God's mercy. Loving one's neighbor as oneself is a foundational ethic that Jesus later affirms as central to the law.

Leviticus 19:19

Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

Study: Commands against mixing species in animals, seeds, and fabrics symbolize Israel's call to maintain purity and distinction. These laws reinforce holiness by setting Israel apart from surrounding nations.

Leviticus 19:20

And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

Study: The treatment of a bondmaid in this verse shows God's justice in complex social situations, offering mercy rather than death. This reflects God's concern for fairness even in difficult covenant circumstances.

Leviticus 19:21

And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering.

Study: Bringing a trespass offering for sin demonstrates the provision for atonement within the covenant. This act restores relationship with God and community after wrongdoing.

Leviticus 19:22

And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.

Study: The priest's role in making atonement highlights God's mercy and forgiveness through the sacrificial system. This foreshadows Christ's ultimate atonement in the New Covenant.

Leviticus 19:23

And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

Study: Counting fruit as uncircumcised for three years teaches patience and dedication to God before enjoying His blessings. This practice sanctifies the land and its produce to the LORD.

Leviticus 19:24

But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal.

Study: The fourth year's fruit is holy and dedicated to praising God, linking agricultural cycles with worship. This reminds Israel that all provision comes from God and is to be used for His glory.

Leviticus 19:25

And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God.

Study: Eating the fruit in the fifth year after dedication shows God's blessing and provision following obedience. This timeline teaches trust in God's timing and faithfulness.

Leviticus 19:26

Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

Study: Prohibitions against eating blood, enchantment, and observing times protect Israel from pagan practices and preserve covenant purity. These commands safeguard their identity as God's holy people.

Leviticus 19:27

Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

Study: Not rounding the corners of the head or marring the beard distinguishes Israel from pagan mourning customs. This law maintains cultural and religious separation to honor God's holiness.

Leviticus 19:28

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

Study: Prohibiting cuttings and marks for the dead prevents idolatrous and superstitious practices. God's repeated self-identification underscores the covenant's demand for purity and reverence.

Leviticus 19:29

Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

Study: Warning against prostituting daughters protects the community from moral decay and wickedness. This command reflects God's desire for holiness and the social consequences of sin.

Leviticus 19:30

Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.

Study: Keeping the Sabbaths and reverencing the sanctuary centers Israel's worship on God's presence and rest. These practices sustain covenant relationship and remind the people of God's holiness.

Leviticus 19:31

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Study: Rejecting familiar spirits and wizards guards Israel from occult defilement. This command preserves their purity and dependence on the LORD alone.

Leviticus 19:32

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Study: Honoring the elderly reflects respect for God's created order and wisdom. This command links social ethics with reverence for God, who commands such honor.

Leviticus 19:33

And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.

Study: Not vexing the stranger teaches compassion and justice toward foreigners living among Israel. This reflects God's own mercy toward them as former strangers in Egypt.

Leviticus 19:34

But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Study: Loving the stranger as oneself connects social justice with Israel's history of deliverance. This command embodies God's covenant faithfulness and calls for empathy rooted in shared experience.

Leviticus 19:35

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

Study: Doing no unrighteousness in judgment, weights, or measures ensures fairness in commerce and legal matters. This command protects the vulnerable and maintains community trust under God's law.

Leviticus 19:36

Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Study: Using just balances and measures symbolizes God's demand for honesty and integrity. The reminder of deliverance from Egypt links ethical behavior with gratitude and covenant loyalty.

Leviticus 19:37

Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.

Study: The final call to observe all statutes and judgments reinforces Israel's covenant commitment. God's repeated self-identification reminds them that obedience honors the LORD who redeemed them.

Leviticus 19 gathers diverse commands that define God's holy community, emphasizing moral purity, justice, love, and worship. These laws reveal how Israel is to reflect God's character in daily life, from honoring parents and Sabbath observance to fair treatment of neighbors and strangers. The chapter balances ritual holiness with ethical living, showing that true holiness involves both worship and social responsibility. God's repeated reminders of His identity and covenant relationship underscore that obedience flows from knowing and revering Him as LORD.

Lord, help us to live holy lives that reflect Your character in every relationship and action. Teach us to love our neighbors, honor Your commands, and trust Your provision. May our hearts be devoted to You alone, and may our lives bring glory to Your name. Guide us in justice, mercy, and reverence as we seek to follow You faithfully each day.

• Memorize Leviticus 19:2 and meditate on what it means to be holy as God is holy.
• Pray for a heart that loves neighbors, including strangers and those in need.
• Examine your daily habits for ways to practice honesty and fairness in work and relationships.
• Set aside time this week to honor God through worship and Sabbath rest.
• Reflect on how God's holiness shapes your attitudes toward justice and mercy.
• Journal about ways you can rebuke sin lovingly and seek reconciliation in your community.
• Serve someone vulnerable in your church or neighborhood as an expression of God's love.

Leviticus 19 calls God's people to a comprehensive holiness that touches worship, ethics, and community life. It reveals that true holiness is lived out in loving God and others, practicing justice, and honoring God's covenant through obedience and reverence.

Check this box when you finish this chapter study.

You have completed 0 of 27 chapters in Leviticus.

View your full progress on the Leviticus Hub.

Still Studying?

Have a Question About This Chapter?

Ask a Bible question and receive a Scripture-guided study response designed to help point you back to God's Word.