Leviticus 17:7 They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.'

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 17 > Verse 7

◄ Leviticus 17:7 ►

New International Version
They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.’

New Living Translation
The people must no longer be unfaithful to the LORD by offering sacrifices to the goat idols. This is a permanent law for them, to be observed from generation to generation.

English Standard Version
So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

Berean Standard Bible
They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.’

King James Bible
And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

New King James Version
They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.” ’

New American Standard Bible
And they shall no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the prostitute. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations.”’

NASB 1995
“They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations."’

NASB 1977
“And they shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations.”’

Legacy Standard Bible
And they shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a perpetual statute to them throughout their generations.”’

Amplified Bible
So they shall no longer offer their sacrifices to goat-idols or demons or field spirits with which they have played the prostitute. This shall be a permanent statute for them throughout their generations.”’

Christian Standard Bible
They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat-demons that they have prostituted themselves with. This will be a permanent statute for them throughout their generations.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat-demons that they have prostituted themselves with. This will be a permanent statute for them throughout their generations.”

American Standard Version
And they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices unto the he-goats, after which they play the harlot. This shall be a statute forever unto them throughout their generations.

Contemporary English Version
Don't ever turn from me again and offer sacrifices to goat-demons. This law will never change.

English Revised Version
And they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices unto the he-goats, after whom they go a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people must stop sacrificing to goat idols and chasing after them as though they were prostitutes. This is a permanent law for the people and for future generations.

Good News Translation
The people of Israel must no longer be unfaithful to the LORD by killing their animals in the fields as sacrifices to the goat demons. The people of Israel must keep this regulation for all time to come.

International Standard Version
They are no longer to slaughter their sacrifices to the goat demons, with whom they have been committing prostitution. This will be a perpetual statute for you throughout your generations.

Majority Standard Bible
They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.?

NET Bible
So they must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons, acting like prostitutes by going after them. This is to be a perpetual statute for them throughout their generations.

New Heart English Bible
They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to idols, with which they have committed idolatry: This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations.

World English Bible
They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.’

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and they do not sacrifice their sacrifices anymore to the goat [idols] after which they are going whoring; this is a continuous statute to them, throughout their generations.

Young's Literal Translation
and they sacrifice not any more their sacrifices to goats after which they are going a-whoring; a statute age-during is this to them, to their generations.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to satyrs with whom they committed fornication after them: this shall be to them a law forever to their generations.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they shall no more sacrifice their victims to devils, with whom they have committed fornication. It shall be an ordinance for ever to them and to their posterity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they shall no longer immolate their victims to demons, with whom they have committed fornication. It shall be an everlasting ordinance for them and for their posterity.

New American Bible
No longer shall they offer their sacrifices to the demons with whom they prostituted themselves. This shall be an everlasting statute for them and their descendants.

New Revised Standard Version
so that they may no longer offer their sacrifices for goat-demons, to whom they prostitute themselves. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to the demons after whom they have gone astray. This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they shall not again sacrifice their sacrifices to demons, after whom they go astray. This Written Law shall be theirs for a lifetime for their generations.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices unto the satyrs, after whom they go astray. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they shall no longer offer their sacrifices to vain gods after which they go a whoring; it shall be a perpetual statute to you for your generations.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Place of Sacrifice
…6The priest will then sprinkle the blood on the altar of the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and burn the fat as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 7They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.’ 8Tell them that if anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 32:17
They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear.

2 Chronicles 11:15
And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made.

Psalm 106:37
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.

1 Corinthians 10:20
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Exodus 32:8
How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. They have sacrificed to it and said, ‘These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’”

Judges 2:17
Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done.

2 Kings 17:16-17
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. / They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Isaiah 57:5
who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

Jeremiah 19:5
They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind.

Ezekiel 20:16
because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols.

Hosea 4:12
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.

Acts 7:41-42
At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. / But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

Treasury of Scripture

And they shall no more offer their sacrifices to devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations.

unto devils

Deuteronomy 32:17
They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

2 Chronicles 11:15
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

Psalm 106:37
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

gone a whoring.

Leviticus 20:5
Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.

Exodus 34:15
Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

Deuteronomy 31:16
And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

Jump to Previous

Astray Committed Demons Devils Everlasting Evil Forever Generations Go Goat Goats Harlot Idolatry Idols Longer Offer Offerings Ordinance Permanent Play Prostitute Sacrifice Sacrifices Satyrs Slay Statute Themselves Throughout Turning Whoring

Jump to Next

Leviticus 17

1. The blood of slain beasts must be offered to the Lord at the tabernacle door
7. They must not offer to idols
10. All eating of blood is forbidden
15. and of all that dies by itself, or is torn

Berean Study Bible

They must no longer offer
The phrase "They must no longer offer" indicates a clear directive from God to the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "offer" is "זָבַח" (zabach), which means to sacrifice or slaughter. This command signifies a shift from previous practices, emphasizing a new covenantal relationship with God. Historically, this reflects a move away from pagan rituals that were prevalent in the ancient Near East, where sacrifices were often made to appease various deities.

their sacrifices
The term "sacrifices" refers to offerings made to deities. In Hebrew, "sacrifice" is "קָרְבָּן" (korban), meaning something brought near or presented. In the context of Leviticus, sacrifices were a means of worship and atonement, symbolizing the Israelites' devotion and obedience to God. This highlights the importance of directing worship solely to Yahweh, the one true God, rather than to false idols.

to the goat demons
The phrase "to the goat demons" is translated from the Hebrew "שֵׂעִירִים" (se'irim), which can mean hairy ones or goat-like creatures. This term is associated with pagan worship practices involving demonic entities or spirits. Archaeological findings suggest that goat idols were common in Canaanite religion, representing fertility and wilderness spirits. The prohibition underscores the need for the Israelites to separate themselves from idolatrous practices and focus on worshiping God alone.

to whom they have prostituted themselves
The expression "to whom they have prostituted themselves" uses the Hebrew root "זָנָה" (zanah), meaning to commit fornication or idolatry. This metaphorical language portrays idolatry as spiritual adultery, emphasizing the covenantal unfaithfulness of the Israelites when they worship other gods. It serves as a powerful reminder of the exclusive relationship God desires with His people, akin to a marriage covenant.

This will be a permanent statute
The phrase "This will be a permanent statute" indicates an enduring commandment. The Hebrew word for "statute" is "חֻקָּה" (chuqqah), meaning a decree or ordinance. This underscores the timeless nature of God's laws, intended to guide the Israelites in holiness and set them apart from other nations. It reflects the unchanging character of God and His eternal standards for His people.

for them for the generations to come
The concluding phrase "for them for the generations to come" emphasizes the lasting relevance of this command. It highlights the responsibility of each generation to uphold God's statutes and pass them down to their descendants. This continuity ensures that the Israelites remain faithful to God and His covenant, preserving their identity as His chosen people throughout history.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils.--The word (s?irim) here translated "devils," literally denotes hairy or shaggy goats, and then goat-like deities, or demons. The Egyptians, and other nations of antiquity, worshipped goats as gods. Not only was there a celebrated temple in Thmuis, the capital of the Mendesian Nomos in Lower Egypt, dedicated to the goat-image Pan, whom they called Mendes, and worshipped as the oracle, and as the fertilising principle in nature, but they erected statues of him everywhere. Hence the Pan, Silenus, satyrs, fauns, and the woodland gods among the Greeks and Romans; and hence, too, the goat-like form of the devil, with a tail, horns, and cloven feet, which obtain in medieval Christianity, and which may still be seen in some European cities. The terror which the devil, appearing in this Pan-like form, created among those who were thought to have seen him, has given rise to our expression panic. This is the form of idolatrous worship which the Jews brought with them from Egypt, and to which reference is continually made. (See Joshua 24:14; Ezekiel 20:7; Ezekiel 23:3, &c.; and especially 2Chronicles 11:15.) The expression "and they shall no more offer" shows that the Israelites were hitherto in the habit of first dedicating their ordinary food to these deities; whilst the words "gone a whoring" indicate the orgies connected with this form of idol worship, It has been urged that the demand to offer up, in so confined a space as the entrance of the sanctuary, the domestic animals intended for the daily consumption of more than 600,000 people, imposed a task upon the people which it was impossible for them to carry out. Hence it has been urged that the injunction here (Leviticus 17:2-7) must refer to sacrifices. But this difficulty arises from importing our modern notions into the ancient mode of living. The ancient Israelites, like the modem Orientals, especially the nomadic tribes, ate very little flesh meat apart from the seasons of sacrifice, which were the occasions of feasting. Besides, those who urge this difficulty ignore the fact that the injunction before us is restricted to the three kinds of animals; that none of the wild clean quadrupeds, as stags, roes, &c, nor any of the feathered tribes, as pigeons, turtle doves, &c, which formed an essential part of the daily diet, is here included; and that even the three kinds of sacrificial quadrupeds only come within this restriction when they are qualified by age, which was within two years, and by physical condition, which demanded that it should have no external defect, as blindness of one eye, lameness of one foot, &c., to be offered first to the Lord. Moreover, the injunction was only intended to operate temporarily, whilst the Jews sojourned and wandered about in the wilderness, where, besides the propensity to sacrifice these animals to idols, they would have been in danger of extirpating their most useful animals. The law was repealed when the Israelites entered the promised land. (Comp. Deuteronomy 12:13-15.) . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. The word rightly translated devils means, literally, shaggy goats (see 2 Chronicles 11:15; Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14; where the word occurs). It is generally supposed that the Israelites borrowed their worship of the goat-like spirits of the woods and fields from Egypt. That goat-worship prevailed there in a very foul shape we know (Herod., 2:42), but sacrifices in the open fields are rather a Persian habit (Herod., 1:132). Pan-worship, however, was common to most if not to all agricultural nations. The injunction which follows, This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations, which cannot be confined to the last few words or verses, shows that the command of verse 3 refers to sacrifices, not to ordinary slaughtering. Had slaughtering been meant, the statute could not have been intended to be more than temporary in its obligation. The importance attributed to the regulation is further shown by the declaration previously made, that whoever transgressed it should be cut off from among his people, or excommunicated. In fact, it makes an era in the history of the chosen people. The old patriarchal priesthood having ceased, and the Aaronic priesthood substituted for it, the tabernacle is appointed to serve as a religious centre to the race. Whenever, from this time onwards, sacrifices were offered, without offense, elsewhere than in the court of the tabernacle or temple, as by Samuel (see 1 Samuel 13:8), and by Elijah (1 Kings 18:32), it was done by the direct order or dispensation of God.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

They must no
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

longer
עוֹד֙ (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

offer
יִזְבְּח֥וּ (yiz·bə·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

their sacrifices
זִבְחֵיהֶ֔ם (ziḇ·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

to the goat demons
לַשְּׂעִירִ֕ם (laś·śə·‘î·rim)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8163: Shaggy, a he-goat, a faun

to which
אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they
הֵ֥ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

have prostituted
זֹנִ֖ים (zō·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2181: To commit adultery, to commit idolatry

themselves.
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם (’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

This
זֹּ֥את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

will be
תִּֽהְיֶה־ (tih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a permanent
עוֹלָ֛ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

statute
חֻקַּ֥ת (ḥuq·qaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute

for them
לָהֶ֖ם (lā·hem)
Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

for the generations to come.’
לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃ (lə·ḏō·rō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

Links

Leviticus 17:7 NIV
Leviticus 17:7 NLT
Leviticus 17:7 ESV
Leviticus 17:7 NASB
Leviticus 17:7 KJV

Leviticus 17:7 BibleApps.com
Leviticus 17:7 Biblia Paralela
Leviticus 17:7 Chinese Bible
Leviticus 17:7 French Bible
Leviticus 17:7 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Leviticus 17:7 They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices (Le Lv Lev.)