Leviticus 20:23

Amharic Bible (መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ (የብሉይና የሐዲስ ኪዳን መጻሕፍት))

ከፊታችሁ በምጥላቸውም ሕዝብ ወግ አትሂዱ፤ ይህን ሁሉ አድርገዋልና ተጸየፍኋቸው።

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Leviticus instructs the Israelites not to follow the customs of the nations that were expelled from the land. God is speaking, warning that He despises the practices of those nations because they were sinful.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're moving into a new neighborhood, and the old neighbors had some really bad habits. God is telling the Israelites not to copy those bad habits, because He doesn't like them and that's why He got rid of the old neighbors.

Historical Background

The book of Leviticus was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It was intended for the Israelites, providing them with laws and instructions for their new life in the Promised Land, where they would encounter the practices of previous inhabitants.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, this verse can be applied to situations where a person moves to a new community with different cultural norms. It encourages one to not adopt harmful or unethical practices that are prevalent in the new environment.

Topics

• god's laws
• moral standards
• sin
• cultural influence
• rejection of evil
• divine judgment

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 12:30-31
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
• Romans 1:26-27
• Ezekiel 20:31
• Jeremiah 10:2

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God despise the nations He cast out?

God despised the nations because they engaged in practices and behaviors that He found abhorrent, such as idolatry and immoral acts, which were against His laws.

Does Leviticus 20:23 apply to non-Jewish people?

While the verse was specifically addressed to the Israelites, the principle of avoiding harmful practices can be applied universally, encouraging all people to reject unethical behaviors.

What specific practices did God find abhorrent?

God found abhorrent practices such as idol worship, incest, and other immoral acts, which are detailed in various parts of Leviticus and other books.

How can we apply Leviticus 20:23 to our daily lives?

We can apply this verse by being discerning about the cultural influences we accept, avoiding harmful behaviors, and living according to God's moral standards.