Leviticus 18:27
Leviticus 18:27 in Multiple Translations
For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled.
(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
(for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled);
(For all these disgusting things were done by the men of this country who were there before you, and the land has been made unclean by them;)
The people who lived in the land before you practiced all these disgusting things, and the land became polluted.
(For all these abominations haue the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled:
(for all these abominations have the men of the land done who [are] before you, and the land is defiled),
(for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled),
(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, who were before you, and the land is defiled;)
For all these detestable things the inhabitants of the land have done, that; were before you, and have defiled it.
All those detestable things were done by the people who lived in this land before you came here, and they caused the land to become defiled.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 18:27
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 18:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֚י
אֶת
כָּל
הַ/תּוֹעֵבֹ֣ת
הָ/אֵ֔ל
עָשׂ֥וּ
אַנְשֵֽׁי
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
לִ/פְנֵי/כֶ֑ם
וַ/תִּטְמָ֖א
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/תּוֹעֵבֹ֣ת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
abomination
Art | N-fp
הָ/אֵ֔ל
ʼêl
H411
these
Art | Pron
עָשׂ֥וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אַנְשֵֽׁי
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-mp
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
לִ/פְנֵי/כֶ֑ם
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
וַ/תִּטְמָ֖א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 18:27
כִּ֚י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/תּוֹעֵבֹ֣ת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
"abomination"
Art | N-fp
The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.
הָ/אֵ֔ל
ʼêl
H411
"these"
Art | Pron
The Hebrew word for these or those things, used to point out specific people or objects, like in a group. It is often translated as 'these' or 'those' in the Bible.
Definition: these, those
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: these, those. Compare H428 (אֵלֶּה). See also: Genesis 19:8; Leviticus 18:27; 1 Chronicles 20:8.
עָשׂ֥וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אַנְשֵֽׁי
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
לִ/פְנֵי/כֶ֑ם
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וַ/תִּטְמָ֖א
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Leviticus 18:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 18:27 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:27
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:27
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:27
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:27
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 18:27
- Sermons on Leviticus 18:27
Context — Unlawful Sexual Relations
25Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.
26But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you.
27For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled.
28So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you. 29Therefore anyone who commits any of these abominations must be cut off from among his people.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 36:14 | Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. |
| 2 | Leviticus 18:24 | Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 23:18 | You must not bring the wages of a prostitute, whether female or male, into the house of the LORD your God to fulfill any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 25:16 | For everyone who behaves dishonestly in regard to these things is detestable to the LORD your God. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 27:15 | ‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ |
| 6 | Ezekiel 16:50 | Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them, as you have seen. |
| 7 | Ezekiel 22:11 | One man commits an abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another wickedly defiles his daughter-in-law; and yet another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter. |
| 8 | 1 Kings 14:24 | There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. |
| 9 | 2 Kings 21:2 | And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 20:18 | so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God. |
Leviticus 18:27 Summary
This verse explains that the people who lived in the land before the Israelites did many bad things, and because of that, the land became unclean. This is why God is warning the Israelites to obey His commands and avoid doing the same bad things, as mentioned in Leviticus 18:26. If they don't, the land will get rid of them, just like it did to the people who lived there before, as seen in Leviticus 18:28. We can learn from this verse by remembering that our actions have consequences, and we should strive to live holy lives, as encouraged in 1 Peter 1:15-16 and 2 Corinthians 7:1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the land to become defiled?
According to Leviticus 18:27, the land becomes defiled when its inhabitants commit abominations, and this defilement can lead to severe consequences, as seen in Leviticus 18:25 and Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
Who were the men in the land before the Israelites?
The men in the land before the Israelites were likely the Canaanites and other pagan nations that inhabited the land before the Israelites, as mentioned in Exodus 23:23 and Numbers 13:29.
What is the significance of the land vomiting out its inhabitants?
The land vomiting out its inhabitants, as mentioned in Leviticus 18:25 and 28, signifies God's judgment and punishment for the sins of the people, as also seen in Isaiah 13:19 and Ezekiel 36:17.
How can we apply this verse to our lives today?
We can apply this verse by recognizing the importance of living a holy life, as commanded in Leviticus 18:26, and avoiding the sins that defile the land, as warned in Proverbs 11:3 and Revelation 21:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be contributing to the defilement of the land, and how can I repent and turn to God?
- How can I balance the call to holiness in Leviticus 18:26 with the reality of living in a fallen world?
- What are some modern-day abominations that I need to be aware of and avoid, in light of verses like Romans 1:18-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10?
- In what ways can I be a positive influence on the land and its inhabitants, as a follower of God, and how can I pray for my community and nation?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:27
For all these abominations have the men of the land done,.... The then present inhabitants of Canaan, who dwelt in it before the Israelites came into it; these were guilty of unclean copulations, of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:27
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: In all these the nations are defiled ... Ancient history gives many appalling
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:27
Leviticus 18:27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which [were] before you, and the land is defiled;)Ver. 27. Which were before you.] But had not your helps.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:27
(27) For all these abominations.—Though the contents of this verse are substantially the same as those in Leviticus 18:24-25, yet the wording is different. In the former the Israelites are exhorted not to pollute themselves as the different tribes or nations have both polluted themselves and the land, whilst here the inhabitants of Canaan are more specifically described as having practised the abominations. The repetition of the same sentiments in diiferent words, as is frequently the case in Hebrew, is designed to impart emphasis. The parentheses are unnecessary.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 18:27
24–30. See general note at the beginning of the ch. These vv. are probably expanded from earlier materials. After the warning in Leviticus 18:24 the standpoint changes, and the remainder of the passage is a reflection on the past, the verbs being really in the past tense, were defiled, was defiled, I visited, (the land) vomited.
Sermons on Leviticus 18:27
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Haggai) Pointed Powerful Paralysing Preaching by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the challenges faced by the people of Judah and Benjamin as they built the temple of the Lord. He emphasizes that when God calls us to do His |
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The Message of Joshua by G. Campbell Morgan | G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes that 'The Lord is a Man of War,' illustrating God's ongoing battle against sin and the necessity of faith for the righteous. He explains that God's ac |
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(Through the Bible) Deuteronomy 21-25 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses various regulations and laws found in the Bible, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy. These regulations cover topics such as welfare progr |
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(Through the Bible) Deuteronomy 26-29 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Moses addresses the children of Israel and reminds them of the covenant they have with God. He emphasizes that despite witnessing great miracles and signs, they hav |