For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

LEVITICUS 11:44KJV
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Leviticus 11:44 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 11:44 mean?

Leviticus 11:44 commands the Israelites to set themselves apart and be holy because God is holy, and specifically tells them not to make themselves unclean by touching or eating any kind of small animal that moves along the ground. The verse connects God’s own character with the expectation that His people will live differently, especially regarding purity laws.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving instructions about what animals are considered clean or unclean. The setting is the wilderness, where God is establishing a distinct identity for Israel as His people. The command to “sanctify yourselves” is linked to the idea of being holy (set apart), which is shown in their obedience to God’s rules, especially about what they eat and touch.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 11:44

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing a close, covenant relationship with Israel. The use of this name highlights the authority and personal involvement of God in these commands.
  • sanctify yourselves (קָדַשׁ, qadash): This word means to make or declare something holy or set apart. Here, it is a call for the Israelites to actively participate in separating themselves from what is considered unclean.
  • holy (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means “set apart” or “sacred.” God’s holiness is the standard, and the people are called to reflect that distinctness in their lives.
  • defile (טָמֵא, tame): This word means to become unclean or impure. The warning is about avoiding actions that would make a person ritually or morally impure, especially through contact with certain animals.

Why Leviticus 11:44 matters

  • Leviticus 11:44 clarifies that the laws about clean and unclean animals are not just about diet or hygiene, but about reflecting God’s holiness in everyday life.
  • The verse emphasizes that holiness is both God’s gift and the people’s responsibility; they are called to actively “sanctify” themselves in response to God’s character.
  • This verse connects the specific rules of Leviticus 11 to the broader purpose of Israel’s identity as a people set apart for God, making sense of why these detailed laws matter in the first place.

Where else these words appear

“thing” Hebrew H8318 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Leviticus 11:20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.
  • Leviticus 11:41 And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.

“creepeth” Hebrew H7430 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Genesis 7:14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
  • Leviticus 11:46 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:

“holy” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

“defile” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:20 And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
  • Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day;(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.