You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own. You are to be holy to MeThis phrase emphasizes the call to holiness for the Israelites, reflecting God's desire for His people to be distinct in their conduct and character. Holiness in this context means being set apart for God's purposes, living in a way that reflects His nature. This call to holiness is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are also called to be holy ( 1 Peter 1:15-16). because I, the LORD, am holy
God's holiness is the standard for His people. It signifies His absolute purity, moral perfection, and separation from sin. The holiness of God is a central theme throughout Scripture, underscoring His uniqueness and the reverence He commands. This attribute of God is foundational, as seen in Isaiah 6:3, where the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty." and I have set you apart from the nations
This phrase highlights the distinct identity of Israel as God's chosen people. The setting apart of Israel was both a privilege and a responsibility, requiring them to live according to God's laws and not adopt the practices of surrounding nations. This separation is symbolic of the spiritual separation believers are called to maintain from worldly influences (2 Corinthians 6:17). to be My own
The relationship between God and Israel is covenantal, where God claims Israel as His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). This ownership implies protection, provision, and a special relationship with God. In the New Testament, this concept is expanded to include all believers, who are described as a "chosen people, a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), signifying their belonging to God through Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, whom He delivered from Egypt and to whom He gave the Law through Moses. 2. MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. 3. Mount SinaiThe place where God gave the Law to Moses, including the instructions found in Leviticus. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who calls His people to holiness. 5. CanaanThe land promised to the Israelites, where they were to live according to God's statutes and commandments. Teaching Points Call to HolinessLeviticus 20:26 emphasizes that holiness is not just a suggestion but a command from God. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness. Separation from the WorldThe verse highlights the importance of being set apart from the world. This separation is not about isolation but about living distinctively according to God's standards. Identity in GodOur identity as God's people is rooted in His holiness. Understanding who we are in Christ should influence our actions and decisions. Obedience to God's CommandsHoliness involves obedience to God's laws and commands. It is through obedience that we demonstrate our love and commitment to God. Reflecting God's CharacterAs God's people, we are to reflect His character in our daily lives. This means embodying attributes such as love, mercy, and justice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Leviticus 20:26 enhance our comprehension of its call to holiness? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of being "set apart" in our modern-day lives without becoming isolated from the world? 3. How does the call to holiness in Leviticus 20:26 relate to the New Testament teachings on holiness, such as those found in 1 Peter 1:15-16? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our identity in Christ influences our daily decisions and actions? 5. How can we balance the call to be separate from the world with the command to love and engage with those who do not yet know Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 19:6This verse speaks of Israel being a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, which parallels the call to holiness in Leviticus 20:26. 1 Peter 1:15-16Peter echoes the call to holiness found in Leviticus, urging believers to be holy in all their conduct. Deuteronomy 7:6This verse emphasizes Israel's status as a holy people chosen by God, reinforcing the theme of separation and holiness. Romans 12:1-2Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which aligns with the call to holiness in Leviticus. Hebrews 12:14This verse stresses the importance of pursuing holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. People Molech, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Apart, Holy, Nations, Peoples, Separate, Separated, Severed, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 20:26 1349 covenant, at Sinai
6213 participation, in sin
6640 election, privileges
7424 ritual law
7525 exclusiveness
7530 foreigners
7545 outsiders
7922 fellowship, with God
8270 holiness, set apart
8341 separation
8402 claims
8404 commands, in OT
8449 imitating 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 20:26 NIVLeviticus 20:26 NLTLeviticus 20:26 ESVLeviticus 20:26 NASBLeviticus 20:26 KJV
Leviticus 20:26 Commentaries
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