for the man who does these things will live by them.
This phrase suggests that adherence to God's laws results in life, which can be understood both physically and spiritually. In the immediate context, it implies that following God's commandments would lead to a prosperous and healthy life in the Promised Land, as opposed to the death and destruction that come from sin. This concept is echoed in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, where choosing life is equated with loving and obeying God. The Apostle Paul references this verse in Galatians 3:12, contrasting the law with faith in Christ, indicating that while the law promises life through obedience, it is ultimately through faith in Jesus that one receives eternal life. This points to the insufficiency of the law to bring about righteousness apart from Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law on behalf of humanity.

I am the LORD.
This declaration serves as a divine signature, affirming God's authority and the binding nature of His commandments. It is a reminder of God's identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who delivered Israel from Egypt and established them as His people. This phrase appears frequently in Leviticus, reinforcing the idea that the laws are not arbitrary but are rooted in the character and holiness of God. It also serves as a call to reverence and trust in God's wisdom and goodness. The use of "I am the LORD" connects to the revelation of God's name to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God reveals Himself as "I AM WHO I AM," highlighting His eternal, self-existent nature. This phrase ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who in the New Testament identifies Himself with the "I AM" statements, revealing His divine nature and authority.

God opens with a clear, positive command. “Keep” is not merely “know” but “guard and practice.” His “statutes” are the fixed boundaries He has set for our good.

• Deuteronomy 4:1 urges Israel to “hear… the statutes… so that you may live.”

• Psalm 119:33 asks, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end.”

• Jesus affirms the same heart in John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

The verse in Leviticus calls every generation to treasure God’s revealed will and make it the rule of daily life.

“Judgments” (ordinances) highlight God’s wise decisions in specific matters. They show how His unchanging principles apply to real situations.

• Psalm 19:9 celebrates that “the judgments of the LORD are true and altogether righteous.”

• Deuteronomy 6:24-25 links obedience to God’s judgments with both well-being and righteousness.

Because His rulings are just, obeying them keeps us aligned with His character and protects community life.

The promise is directed to “the man”—an individual, personal call. Obedience is not theoretical; it is something a person “does.”

• Ezekiel 18:9 describes the righteous person who “follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances—he is righteous; he will surely live.”

• Romans 2:13 reminds believers that “it is the doers of the law who will be justified.”

God invites each of us to move from hearing to active, ongoing practice.

“Live” points to fullness of life—safe dwelling in the land for Israel and, more broadly, true life before God.

• Deuteronomy 30:15-16 sets life and good on one side, death and evil on the other, hinging on obedience.

• Nehemiah 9:29 notes that refusing God’s law “would have caused them to live by them.”

• Paul cites this line in Galatians 3:12 and Romans 10:5 to show the law’s standard of perfect obedience—pointing us ultimately to Christ, who fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17).

While the law itself cannot grant eternal life to sinners, its principles still outline the path of blessing, and in Christ we find both empowerment and the promised life abundant (John 10:10).

The verse ends with God’s covenant name, anchoring every command and promise in His unchanging character.

• Exodus 20:2 begins the Ten Commandments the same way: “I am the LORD your God….”

• Malachi 3:6 comforts us: “I the LORD do not change.”

He alone has absolute authority; He alone guarantees the blessings attached to His word. Our obedience is a response to who He is.

Leviticus 18:5 calls us to attentive, personal obedience to God’s statutes and judgments. Those who actively walk in His revealed will experience true life, because the commands flow from the One who is the LORD—unchanging, righteous, and utterly faithful.

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. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...