New International Version I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. New Living Translation For I am the LORD your God. You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves with any of these small animals that scurry along the ground. English Standard Version For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. Berean Standard Bible For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. Berean Literal Bible For I am YHWH your⁺ God. And you⁺ shall sanctify yourselves, and you⁺ shall be holy, for I am holy. And you⁺ shall not make unclean your souls with any swarming thing that crawls upon the earth. King James Bible For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. New King James Version For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. New American Standard Bible For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. NASB 1995 ‘For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. NASB 1977 ‘For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. Legacy Standard Bible For I am Yahweh your God. Therefore, set yourselves apart as holy and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that move on the earth. Amplified Bible For I am the LORD your God; so consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm or crawls on the ground. Berean Annotated Bible For I am the LORD your⁺ God {YHWH Eloheikem}; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy <1Pe 1:16>. You⁺ must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. Christian Standard Bible For I am the LORD your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. Do not defile yourselves by any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. Holman Christian Standard Bible For I am Yahweh your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. American Standard Version For I am Jehovah your God: sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that moveth upon the earth. Contemporary English Version I am the LORD your God, and you must dedicate yourselves to me and be holy, just as I am holy. Don't become disgusting by eating any of these unclean creatures. English Revised Version For I am the LORD your God: sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that moveth upon the earth. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Here is the reason: I am the LORD your God. You must live holy lives. Be holy because I am holy. Never become unclean by touching anything that swarms or crawls on the ground. Good News Translation I am the LORD your God, and you must keep yourselves holy, because I am holy. International Standard Version because I, the LORD, am your God. Set yourselves apart and be holy, because I am holy. You are not to defile yourselves with any of the swarming creatures that swarm the earth. NET Bible for I am the LORD your God and you are to sanctify yourselves and be holy because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any of the swarming things that creep on the ground, New Heart English Bible For I am the LORD your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any kind of crawling creature that moves on the earth. Webster's Bible Translation For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. World English Bible For I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor I [am] your God YHWH, and you have sanctified yourselves, and you have been holy, for I [am] holy; and you do not defile your persons with any teeming thing which is creeping on the earth; Berean Literal Bible For I am YHWH your⁺ God. And you⁺ shall sanctify yourselves, and you⁺ shall be holy, for I am holy. And you⁺ shall not make unclean your souls with any swarming thing that crawls upon the earth. Young's Literal Translation For I am Jehovah your God, and ye have sanctified yourselves, and ye have been holy, for I am holy; and ye do not defile your persons with any teeming thing which is creeping on the earth; Smith's Literal Translation For I am Jehovah, your God, and ye were consecrated and ye were holy, for I am holy: and ye shall not make your souls unclean by any creeping thing creeping upon the earth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor I am the Lord your God: be holy because I am holy. Defile not your souls by any creeping thing, that moveth upon the earth. Catholic Public Domain Version For I am the Lord your God. Be holy, for I am Holy. Do not pollute your souls with any creeping thing, which moves across the land. New American Bible For I, the LORD, am your God. You shall make and keep yourselves holy, because I am holy. You shall not make yourselves unclean, then, by any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. New Revised Standard Version For I am the LORD your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the earth. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor I am the LORD your God; you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy; neither shall you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because I AM LORD JEHOVAH your God and you shall be hallowed and you shall be Holy Ones, because I am holy; you shall not defile your souls by any creeping thing that creeps on the Earth. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For I am the LORD your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy; neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of swarming thing that moveth upon the earth. Brenton Septuagint Translation For I am the Lord your God; and ye shall be sanctified, and ye shall be holy, because I the Lord your God am holy; and ye shall not defile your souls with any of the reptiles creeping upon the earth. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Clean and Unclean Animals…43Do not defile yourselves by any crawling creature; do not become unclean or defiled by them. 44For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. 45For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.… Cross References For I am the LORD your God; Exodus 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 5:6 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Exodus 6:7 I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. consecrate yourselves, therefore, Joshua 3:5 Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Exodus 19:10 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes Exodus 19:14 When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. and be holy, Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Leviticus 20:26 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. Isaiah 6:3 And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. Leviticus 20:25 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. Deuteronomy 14:19 All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten. Isaiah 66:17 “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD. Leviticus 20:7 Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Treasury of Scripture For I am the LORD your God: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creeps on the earth. I am the Exodus 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ye shall Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 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 20:7,26 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God… Jump to Previous Animal Consecrate Crawls Creature Creepeth Creeping Defile Earth Ground Holy Kind Manner Moves Sanctify Unclean YourselvesJump to Next Animal Consecrate Crawls Creature Creepeth Creeping Defile Earth Ground Holy Kind Manner Moves Sanctify Unclean YourselvesLeviticus 11 1. What animals may be eaten4. and what may not be eaten 9. What fishes 13. What fowls 29. The creeping things which are unclean For I am the LORD your God; The covenant God of Israel grounds His commands in His own identity and in His relationship with the people He redeemed. Israel belongs to Him and is accountable to His authority. Exo 20:2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out… consecrate yourselves, therefore, Israel was to set itself apart from the nations by obeying God’s instructions in worship, conduct, and daily life. Jos 3:5 Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves,… and be holy, Holiness required both ceremonial cleanness and moral obedience, reflecting a people devoted to God rather than shaped by surrounding pagan cultures. Lev 19:2 Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them:… because I am holy. God’s perfect purity and separation from all evil establish the standard for His people. 1Pe 1:15-16 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy… You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. The dietary restrictions distinguished clean from unclean animals and trained Israel to recognize that devotion to God affected ordinary choices as well as public worship. Lev 20:25 You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean… Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who calls His people to holiness. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, receiving the laws and commandments through Moses. 3. Moses The leader and prophet through whom God delivers His laws to the Israelites. 4. Swarming Creatures Refers to various small animals and insects considered unclean under the Mosaic Law. 5. Mount Sinai The place where God gave the Law to Moses, including dietary laws. Teaching Points Understanding HolinessHoliness is not just about ritual purity but a comprehensive lifestyle that reflects God's character. Consecration as a Response Our consecration is a response to God's identity as our Lord and His holiness. Avoiding Defilement The call to avoid defilement is a reminder to be vigilant about what influences our spiritual and moral purity. Holiness in Daily Life Holiness should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our decisions, relationships, and actions. Reflecting God's Character As God's people, we are to reflect His holiness in a world that often opposes His standards. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 11:44?2. How does Leviticus 11:44 emphasize the importance of holiness in daily life? 3. What does "be holy, because I am holy" reveal about God's character? 4. How can we apply the call to holiness in Leviticus 11:44 today? 5. Which New Testament passages echo the call to holiness found in Leviticus 11:44? 6. How does Leviticus 11:44 guide our understanding of purity and sanctification? 7. How does Leviticus 11:44 define holiness in the context of dietary laws? 8. Why does Leviticus 11:44 emphasize God's holiness in relation to human behavior? 9. What historical context influenced the dietary laws in Leviticus 11:44? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 11? (44) For I am the Lord your God.--As the Lord who is their God is Himself holy, His people, in order to enjoy perfect communion with Him, must also be holy. Hence they must abstain from all these objects of defilement which mar that holy communion. Appealing to this declaration, the Apostle Paul uses the same admonition: "As he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy" (1Peter 1:15-16). Ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy.--Better, Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy, as the Authorised Version renders exactly the same phrase in Leviticus 20:6. Verses 44-47. - These concluding verses give a religious sanction to the previous regulations, and make them matters of sacred, not merely sanitary or political, obligation. They were to sanctify themselves, that is, to avoid uncleanness, because God is holy, and they were God's. They were thus taught that ceremonial cleanness of the body was a symbol of holiness of heart, and a means of attaining to the latter. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt. It is possible that Egypt may be named as being the laud of animal-worship. To be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. The only way by which there can be communion between God and man is the way of holiness. Jewish industry and care has counted the number of letters in the Pentateuch, and marked by the use of the letter ו in larger type, in the word גָּחון, which occurs in verse 42, that that letter is the middle letter of the whole work from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Deuteronomy. It is easy to see what a protection to the text such minute and scrupulous care must be.
Leviticus 11:44 calls us to holiness rooted in who God is. Because the Lord is our God, we willingly set ourselves apart, pursue purity, and avoid defilement in every form. Our lifestyle becomes a living testimony that the Holy One still reigns and still transforms His people. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am the LORD יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God; אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֒ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative consecrate yourselves therefore, וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם֙ (wə·hiṯ·qad·diš·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated and be וִהְיִיתֶ֣ם (wih·yî·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be holy, קְדֹשִׁ֔ים (qə·ḏō·šîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 6918: Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I אָ֑נִי (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am holy. קָד֖וֹשׁ (qā·ḏō·wōš) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6918: Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary You must not וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no defile תְטַמְּאוּ֙ (ṯə·ṭam·mə·’ū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean yourselves נַפְשֹׁ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם (nap̄·šō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion by any בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every creature הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ (haš·še·reṣ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8318: A swarm, active mass of minute animals that crawls הָרֹמֵ֥שׂ (hā·rō·mêś) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7430: To glide swiftly, to crawl, move with short steps, to swarm along עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the ground. הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Additonal Resources Leviticus 11:44 Blue Letter BibleLeviticus 11:44 Bible Gateway Leviticus 11:44 Bible.com Leviticus 11:44 NIV |
    |