Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. New Living Translation “All these detestable activities are practiced by the people of the land where I am taking you, and this is how the land has become defiled. English Standard Version (for the people of the land, who were before you, did all of these abominations, so that the land became unclean), Berean Standard Bible For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. Berean Literal Bible for the men of the land who were before your⁺ faces have done all these abominations, and the land was defiled— King James Bible (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) New King James Version (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), New American Standard Bible (for the people of the land who were there before you did all these abominations, and the land has become defiled), NASB 1995 (for the men of the land who have been before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become defiled); NASB 1977 (for the men of the land who have been before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become defiled); Legacy Standard Bible (for the men of the land who have been before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become defiled); Amplified Bible (for all these repulsive acts have been done by the men who lived in the land before you, and the land has become defiled); Berean Annotated Bible For the men who were in the land before you⁺ committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. Christian Standard Bible For the people who were in the land prior to you have committed all these detestable acts, and the land has become defiled. Holman Christian Standard Bible For the men who were in the land prior to you have committed all these detestable things, and the land has become defiled. American Standard Version (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled); English Revised Version (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) GOD'S WORD® Translation The people of the land who were there before you did all these disgusting things. As a result, the land has become unclean. International Standard Version because the inhabitants of the land did all of these detestable things and by doing so defiled the land before you. NET Bible for the people who were in the land before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become unclean. New Heart English Bible (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land became defiled); Webster's Bible Translation (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, who were before you, and the land is defiled;) Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. World English Bible (for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled), Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor the men of the land who [are] before you have done all these abominations and the land is defiled, Berean Literal Bible for the men of the land who were before your⁺ faces have done all these abominations, and the land was defiled— Young's Literal Translation (for all these abominations have the men of the land done who are before you, and the land is defiled), Smith's Literal Translation For all these abominations did the men of the land which were before you, and the land shall be defiled. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor all these detestable things the inhabitants of the land have done, that; were before you, and have defiled it. Catholic Public Domain Version For all these detestable things were done by the inhabitants of the land who were here before you, and they have polluted it. New American Bible because the previous inhabitants did all these abominations and the land became defiled; New Revised Standard Version (for the inhabitants of the land, who were before you, committed all of these abominations, and the land became defiled); Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible(For all these sins have the men of the land done who were before you, and the land is defiled); Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because the men of the place that were before you did all of these sins and the land was defiled. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled-- Brenton Septuagint Translation (for all these abominations the men of the land did who were before you, and the land was defiled,) Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Unlawful Sexual Relations…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.… Cross References For the men who were in the land before you Deuteronomy 12:29-31 When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations you are entering to dispossess, and you drive them out and live in their land, / be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” / You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. Deuteronomy 9:4-5 When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness. / It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Genesis 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” committed all these abominations, Deuteronomy 18:9-12 When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. / Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. … 2 Kings 21:11 “Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin, Jeremiah 32:35 They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin. and the land has become defiled. Numbers 35:33-34 Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. / Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.” Ezekiel 36:17-18 “Son of man, when the people of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds. Their behavior before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman’s impurity. / So I poured out My wrath upon them because of the blood they had shed on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols. Jeremiah 3:1-2 “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD. / “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. Deuteronomy 18:12 For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. Leviticus 20:23 You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. Deuteronomy 9:5 It is not because of your righteousness or uprightness of heart that you are going in to possess their land, but it is because of their wickedness that the LORD your God is driving out these nations before you, to keep the promise He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 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. 2 Kings 16:3 Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. 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. 2 Chronicles 28:3 Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. Treasury of Scripture (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) Leviticus 18:24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: Deuteronomy 20:18 That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 23:18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Jump to Previous Abominations Country Defiled Disgusting UncleanJump to Next Abominations Country Defiled Disgusting UncleanLeviticus 18 1. Unlawful marriages and unlawful lustsFor the men who were in the land before you This phrase refers to the Canaanites, the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Canaanites were known for their idolatrous practices and moral corruption. Archaeological findings, such as those at Ugarit, reveal a culture steeped in polytheism and fertility cults. The biblical narrative often contrasts the Israelites with the Canaanites to highlight the call to holiness and separation from pagan practices (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). committed all these abominations and the land has become defiled Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe primary audience of Leviticus, receiving God's laws through Moses. 2. The Canaanites The previous inhabitants of the Promised Land, known for their idolatrous and immoral practices. 3. The Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. Moses The prophet and leader of the Israelites, through whom God delivered the laws. 5. God The ultimate lawgiver, establishing moral and ceremonial laws for His people. Teaching Points Understanding AbominationsRecognize that the term "abominations" (Hebrew: to'evah) refers to practices that are detestable to God, often linked to idolatry and sexual immorality. The Consequence of Sin The defilement of the land serves as a warning that sin has communal and environmental consequences, affecting more than just the individual. Holiness and Separation God calls His people to be holy and separate from the practices of the world, emphasizing the importance of living according to His standards. God's Justice and Patience The judgment on the Canaanites demonstrates God's justice, but also His patience, as He gave them time to repent. Application to Modern Life Believers today are called to examine their lives and communities for practices that may defile their spiritual environment and to seek purity and holiness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 18:27?2. How does Leviticus 18:27 emphasize the consequences of defiling the land? 3. What practices are considered detestable according to Leviticus 18:27? 4. How can we apply Leviticus 18:27 to modern cultural practices? 5. Compare Leviticus 18:27 with Romans 1:24-27 regarding sinful behaviors. 6. How does Leviticus 18:27 guide us in maintaining holiness today? 7. What historical context influenced the prohibitions in Leviticus 18:27? 8. How does Leviticus 18:27 reflect the cultural practices of ancient Israel? 9. Why does Leviticus 18:27 emphasize the defilement of the land? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 18? 11. What defines an abomination? 12. Is homosexuality considered a sin in the Bible? 13. Should the church accept practicing homosexuals as members? 14. Is bisexuality considered a sin in the Bible? What Does Leviticus 18:27 Mean For the men who were in the land before you- The verse opens with a look backward. God reminds Israel that Canaan was not an empty canvas; it was already occupied by nations with established lifestyles (Deuteronomy 9:4–5). - This framing teaches that God’s standards are not limited to Israel; He judges every nation by the same moral law (Acts 10:34–35). - It also underscores God’s sovereignty over the land itself: He grants and removes occupancy according to righteousness (Genesis 15:16). Committed all these abominations - “These” points to the specific sexual sins listed earlier in Leviticus 18:6-23, plus broader idolatry (Leviticus 18:21, 24). - The catalog is not mere history; it shows the seriousness with which God views personal and societal purity (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). - By calling the practices “abominations,” God labels them as repugnant to His nature—a standard that does not shift with culture (Malachi 3:6). - The warning is double-edged: Israel must not imitate the nations (Leviticus 20:22-23), and the church today must guard against cultural drift (Ephesians 5:3-7). And the land has become defiled - Scripture presents land as more than geography; it is a moral witness that can be “defiled” by human sin (Numbers 35:33-34). - Defilement produces consequences: “the land will vomit you out” (Leviticus 18:28). Judgment is not arbitrary; it flows from the accumulated weight of unchecked sin (Romans 8:22). - The principle endures: national sin invites national consequences. Righteousness elevates a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). - For believers, the defilement motif urges stewardship—keeping ourselves and our communities pure as temples of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1). summary Leviticus 18:27 reminds us that God’s moral standards apply universally, that habitual sin is repulsive to Him, and that even the very ground is affected by human rebellion. Israel was cautioned not to repeat the sins that expelled their predecessors; the same timeless call urges Christ’s people to holiness, lest we forfeit the blessings entrusted to us. (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.Hebrew Forכִּ֚י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the men אַנְשֵֽׁי־ (’an·šê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person who were in the land הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land before you לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם (lip̄·nê·ḵem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 6440: The face committed עָשׂ֥וּ (‘ā·śū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6213: To do, make all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every these הָאֵ֔ל (hā·’êl) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 411: These, those abominations, הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֣ת (hat·tō·w·‘ê·ḇōṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol and the land הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land has become defiled. וַתִּטְמָ֖א (wat·tiṭ·mā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean Links Leviticus 18:27 NIVLeviticus 18:27 NLT Leviticus 18:27 ESV Leviticus 18:27 NASB Leviticus 18:27 KJV Leviticus 18:27 BibleApps.com Leviticus 18:27 Biblia Paralela Leviticus 18:27 Chinese Bible Leviticus 18:27 French Bible Leviticus 18:27 Catholic Bible OT Law: Leviticus 18:27 For all these abominations have the men (Le Lv Lev.) |
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