Leviticus 20:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel is called to consecrate themselves and live in holiness, grounded in their identity as God's people.
The Context of Leviticus 20:7
A call for Israel to respond positively to God's holiness by consecrating themselves.
What Does Leviticus 20:7 Mean?
This verse shifts from judgment to exhortation: the foundation for rejecting Molech, divination, and immorality is positive—a call to sanctification. Sanctify means to set apart, dedicate, and make clean; holiness is the positive counterpart to avoiding impurity.
The grounding is personal: because God is their God, Israel's identity and destiny are bound to His character. Holiness is not arbitrary rule but the shape of covenant life with the Holy One who has chosen them as His people.
Leviticus 20:7 in the Original Language
holy (קָדוֹשׁ) — kadosh, 'separate, set apart'; God's holiness sets the standard for His people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 20:7
What does Leviticus 20:7 mean?
Israel is called to consecrate themselves and live in holiness, grounded in their identity as God's people.
What is the context of Leviticus 20:7?
A call for Israel to respond positively to God's holiness by consecrating themselves.