So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you. And if you defile the landThe phrase "defile the land" is rooted in the Hebrew word "טָמֵא" (tame), which means to make unclean or impure. In the context of Leviticus, this defilement is not merely physical but spiritual and moral, reflecting a breach of the covenant relationship with God. Historically, the land of Canaan was considered holy, set apart for God's people. The Israelites were called to maintain its sanctity by adhering to God's laws. This phrase serves as a warning against adopting the sinful practices of the surrounding nations, which would corrupt the land's holiness. it will vomit you out
The imagery of the land "vomiting" its inhabitants is vivid and powerful. The Hebrew word "קִיא" (qi) conveys a forceful expulsion, suggesting that the land itself reacts to moral corruption. This anthropomorphic expression underscores the seriousness of sin and its consequences. In a historical context, this reflects the belief that the land is not just a passive possession but an active participant in God's covenant. The land's reaction to sin is a divine judgment, emphasizing that the Israelites' tenure in the land is conditional upon their obedience to God's commands. as it spewed out the nations before you
This phrase refers to the Canaanite nations that previously inhabited the land. The Hebrew word "קִיא" (qi), used again here, reinforces the idea of expulsion due to moral and spiritual corruption. Archaeological evidence and historical records indicate that the Canaanites engaged in practices that were abhorrent to God, such as idolatry and child sacrifice. The Israelites are reminded that their possession of the land is a divine gift contingent upon their faithfulness. This serves as both a warning and a call to holiness, urging them to learn from the past and avoid the same fate as the nations before them. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe primary audience of Leviticus, receiving God's laws through Moses. 2. CanaanThe land promised to the Israelites, which they were to enter and inhabit. 3. The Canaanite NationsThe previous inhabitants of the land, who were expelled due to their abominations. 4. MosesThe prophet and leader through whom God delivered the laws to the Israelites. 5. God (Yahweh)The divine lawgiver, establishing moral and ceremonial laws for His people. Teaching Points The Sanctity of the LandThe land is a gift from God, and its sanctity must be preserved by living according to His commandments. Consequences of SinJust as the Canaanites were expelled for their abominations, persistent sin leads to separation from God's blessings. Holiness and ObedienceGod's people are called to live distinctively holy lives, reflecting His character and commands. Corporate ResponsibilityThe actions of individuals affect the community; thus, communal adherence to God's laws is crucial. God's Justice and MercyWhile God is just in punishing sin, His mercy is evident in providing laws to guide His people toward righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants relate to the broader biblical theme of God's justice? 2. In what ways can we, as modern believers, ensure that we are not "defiling the land" in our own contexts? 3. How do the warnings in Leviticus 18:28 compare to the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28? 4. What lessons can we learn from the expulsion of the Canaanite nations that apply to our spiritual walk today? 5. How does the promise of a new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21 encourage us to live holy lives now? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 15God's promise to Abraham about the land of Canaan, highlighting the long-term plan for the Israelites. Deuteronomy 28The blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience to God's laws, reinforcing the consequences of defiling the land. Romans 1The New Testament reflection on God's wrath against unrighteousness, paralleling the expulsion of nations due to sin. 2 Chronicles 7God's warning to Solomon about the consequences of turning away from His commands, similar to the warning in Leviticus. Revelation 21The depiction of a new heaven and new earth, emphasizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a pure and undefiled dwelling place. People Israelites, Molech, MosesPlaces Canaan, Egypt, TemanTopics Defile, Defiling, Lest, Nation, Nations, Spew, Spewed, Spue, Spued, Unclean, Vomit, VomitedDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 18:28 5493 retribution
8326 purity, moral and spiritual
8848 worldliness Leviticus 18:6-30 7525 exclusiveness Leviticus 18:23-30 7348 defilement Leviticus 18:24-28 4208 land, divine responsibility Leviticus 18:26-30 6103 abomination Library General Character of Christians.
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts." St. Paul is supposed to have been the first herald of gospel grace to the Galatians; and they appear to have rejoiced at the glad tidings, and to have received the bearer with much respect. But after his departure, certain judaizing teachers went among them, and labored but too successfully, to alienate their affections from him, and turn them form the simplicity of the gospel. The malice and errors of those deceitful …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
"But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,--Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth; and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation 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 The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn by the Disciples, and the Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand
IN grouping together the three miracles of healing described in the last chapter, we do not wish to convey that it is certain they had taken place in precisely that order. Nor do we feel sure, that they preceded what is about to be related. In the absence of exact data, the succession of events and their location must be matter of combination. From their position in the Evangelic narratives, and the manner in which all concerned speak and act, we inferred, that they took place at that particular …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
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 18:28 NIVLeviticus 18:28 NLTLeviticus 18:28 ESVLeviticus 18:28 NASBLeviticus 18:28 KJV
Leviticus 18:28 Commentaries
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