Leviticus 18:5
Leviticus 18:5 in Multiple Translations
Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Jehovah.
So keep my rules and my decisions, which, if a man does them, will be life to him: I am the Lord.
If you keep my rules and do what I tell you, you will live. I am the Lord.
Ye shall keepe therefore my statutes, and my iudgements, which if a man doe, he shall then liue in them: I am the Lord.
and ye have kept My statutes and My judgments which man doth and liveth in them; I [am] Jehovah.
You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am the LORD.
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments: which if a man doeth, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Keep my laws and my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them. I am the Lord.
If you obey all my laws and decrees, you will continue to remain alive for a long time. I, Yahweh, am the one who is promising that to you. These are some of my laws:
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 18:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 18:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/שְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם
אֶת
חֻקֹּתַ/י֙
וְ/אֶת
מִשְׁפָּטַ֔/י
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
אֹתָ֛/ם
הָ/אָדָ֖ם
וָ/חַ֣י
בָּ/הֶ֑ם
אֲנִ֖י
יְהוָֽה
וּ/שְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
חֻקֹּתַ/י֙
chuqqâh
H2708
statute
N-cp | Suff
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מִשְׁפָּטַ֔/י
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-mp | Suff
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אֹתָ֛/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
הָ/אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Art | N-ms
וָ/חַ֣י
châyay
H2425
to live
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
בָּ/הֶ֑ם
Prep | Suff
אֲנִ֖י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 18:5
וּ/שְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
Conj | V-Qal-2mp
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
חֻקֹּתַ/י֙
chuqqâh
H2708
"statute"
N-cp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a statute or ordinance, often given by God to the Israelites. It appears in books like Leviticus and Numbers, outlining rules for sacrifices and festivals. These statutes helped the Israelites understand God's requirements.
Definition: 1) statute, ordinance, limit, enactment, something prescribed 1a) statute
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: appointed, custom, manner, ordinance, site, statute. See also: Genesis 26:5; Deuteronomy 28:15; Psalms 18:23.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
מִשְׁפָּטַ֔/י
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-mp | Suff
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֹתָ֛/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Art | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
וָ/חַ֣י
châyay
H2425
"to live"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This verb means to have life, to be alive, and to stay alive. It is used in the Bible to talk about living a long and healthy life, and is translated as 'to live' or 'to save life'.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiph) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: live, save life. See also: Genesis 3:22; Deuteronomy 19:4; Ezekiel 47:9.
בָּ/הֶ֑ם
""
Prep | Suff
אֲנִ֖י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Leviticus 18:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 18:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 18:5
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 18:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
- Sermons on Leviticus 18:5
Context — Unlawful Sexual Relations
3You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs.
4You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God.
5Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
6None of you are to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD. 7You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 10:5 | For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.” |
| 2 | Ezekiel 20:11 | And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them. |
| 3 | Galatians 3:12 | The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” |
| 4 | Ezekiel 20:21 | But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 20:13 | Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. |
| 6 | Luke 10:28 | “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.” |
| 7 | Exodus 6:6 | Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. |
| 8 | Exodus 6:2 | God also told Moses, “I am the LORD. |
| 9 | Exodus 6:29 | He said to him, “I am the LORD; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I say to you.” |
| 10 | Malachi 3:6 | “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed. |
Leviticus 18:5 Summary
This verse means that when we follow God's rules and laws, we will experience life and blessings. It's not about earning God's love, but about trusting and obeying Him because we love Him. As it says in John 14:15, if we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments. By following God's statutes and judgments, we can live a life that is pleasing to Him and experience the life He has planned for us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'live by' God's statutes and judgments?
To live by God's statutes and judgments means to trust in and obey them, knowing that they bring life and blessings, as seen in Deuteronomy 30:19 where it says to choose life by loving and obeying God.
How do we 'keep' God's statutes and judgments in our daily lives?
We keep God's statutes and judgments by studying them, such as in Psalm 119:11, and applying them to our thoughts, words, and actions, as Jesus taught in Matthew 22:37-40.
Is this verse saying that we can earn salvation by following God's laws?
No, this verse is not saying that we can earn salvation by following God's laws, but rather that obedience to God's laws is a result of a living relationship with Him, as seen in John 14:15 and Romans 3:28.
What is the significance of God saying 'I am the Lord' at the end of this verse?
When God says 'I am the Lord', He is reminding us of His sovereignty and authority, and that our obedience to His statutes and judgments is a response to His lordship over our lives, as seen in Isaiah 42:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply God's statutes and judgments to my life this week?
- How does my obedience to God's laws reflect my love for Him?
- In what areas of my life do I struggle to trust and obey God's statutes and judgments, and how can I seek His help and guidance?
- How can I share with others the blessings and life that come from following God's statutes and judgments?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:5
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments,.... The same as before; these they were to keep in their minds and memories, and to observe them and do them: which if a man do he shall live in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:5
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. Which if a man do, he shall live in them.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
He shall live in them; not only happily here, but also eternally hereafter, as it is expounded . This is added as a powerful argument why they should follow God’ s commands rather than men’ s examples, because their life and happiness depends upon the one, not the other. And though in strictness, and according to the law or covenant of works, they could not challenge life for doing, except their obedience was universal, perfect, constant, and perpetual, and therefore no man since the fall could be justified by the law, as the apostle affirms and proves, Romans 4 Galatians 3; yet by the covenant of grace this life is promised to all that obey God’ s commands sincerely, though not perfectly, .
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
Leviticus 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.Ver. 5. He shall live in them.] As the flame lives in the oil, as the creature by his food, so the spiritual life is maintained by an evangelical keeping of God’ s commandments. As on the contrary, every motion of the soul out of this way, tends to death; being as the motion of the fish out of his element.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
(5) Ye shall therefore keep my statutes. Better, and ye shall keep my ordinances. The word here rendered by “statutes” is the same which the Authorised Version translates ordinances in Leviticus 18:3-4. He shall live in them.—Better, he shall live by or through them; that is, by observing them the law abiding will live a happy and prosperous life, since disobedience will expose the offender to the penalty of death. The spiritual authorities in the time of the second Temple interpreted this clause to mean that he who obeys these laws shall have eternal life. Hence the ancient Chaldee Versions translate it, “Shall have life eternal.” This passage is quoted both in the Prophets (Ezekiel 20:11; Ezekiel 20:13; Ezekiel 20:21; Nehemiah 9:29) and by St. Paul (Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12), who contrasts this promise made to works with the promise of the Gospel made to faith.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 18:5
5. I am the Lord] For the significance of this often repeated expression, see pp. xlviii f.
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 18:5
If a man keeps the “statutes” (i. e. the ordinances of Lev 18:4) and “judgments” of the divine law, he shall not be “cut off from his people” (compare Leviticus 18:29), he shall gain true life, the
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 18:5
5. If a man do, he shall live — This important sentence contains the whole doctrine of justification by works.
Sermons on Leviticus 18:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Righteousness of Faith by John Wesley | John Wesley preaches on 'The Righteousness of Faith,' emphasizing the distinction between the righteousness of the law and the righteousness of faith. He explains that the law dema |
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The Adamic Covenant by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the Adamic Covenant, explaining that Adam served as the federal head and representative of all humanity. His actions in Eden, particularly |
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Stand Your Ground! by Miles J. Stanford | Miles J. Stanford preaches about the contrast between the law and grace, emphasizing how the law can break a person while grace can make them whole. He discusses the complexity of |
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The Nature of Justification, and the Nature and Concern of Faith in It by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the nature of justification and the concern of faith in it, emphasizing the importance of the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel as the only s |
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Great Blessings Through Living by Faith by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidence in the Lord, as it leads to great rewards, endurance, and obedience to God's will. He highlights the significance o |
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Promise Believers #1 - Man's Promises or God's Promises by Bob Hoekstra | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the assurance that God will never leave or forsake His people. He encourages believers to boldly declare that the Lord is their helper, guar |
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Regeneration & Self-Denial by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of churches abandoning biblical terminology and relying on church growth methodologies. He emphasizes the need for truth that goes b |