And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

LEVITICUS 17:7KJV
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Leviticus 17:7 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 17:7 mean?

Leviticus 17:7 says that the Israelites must stop offering sacrifices to "devils," which refers to false gods or spirits, and instead follow a lasting rule for all their generations. The verse sets a permanent law to prevent the people from turning away from God by worshiping other beings.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, passing on God's instructions during their time in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The verse addresses a real problem: some Israelites were sacrificing to other gods, described here as "devils," and the law aims to stop this behavior. The language about "going a whoring" means being unfaithful to God by chasing after these other spiritual beings.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 17:7

  • The word "devils" is שֵּׂעִירִים (seʿirim), which literally means "goat demons" or "hairy ones." In ancient times, this word referred to spirits or idols that people believed lived in the wilderness, often imagined as goat-like creatures.
  • "Whoring" comes from the Hebrew זָנָה (zanah), meaning to be unfaithful, especially in the sense of spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry. This word paints a vivid picture of turning away from God to pursue other gods, seen as a betrayal.
  • "Statute" is חֻקָּה (chuqqah), meaning a fixed, permanent rule or ordinance. This shows that the command is not temporary but meant to last for all future generations.
  • "Ever" is עוֹלָם (olam), which means "forever" or "for a long duration." This emphasizes that the instruction is not just for that moment but is to be kept permanently.

Why Leviticus 17:7 matters

  • Leviticus 17:7 clarifies that God wanted to end the practice of sacrificing to other spiritual beings, which was a real temptation for the Israelites surrounded by other cultures.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of spiritual loyalty, using strong language to describe idolatry as unfaithfulness or betrayal.
  • This law connects to the wider passage, where God is setting out clear boundaries for worship and sacrifice, making sure the Israelites focus only on Him and not on the gods of the nations around them.

Where else these words appear

“devils” Hebrew H8163 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
  • Leviticus 16:26 And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

“whoring” Hebrew H2181 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
  • 1 Chronicles 5:25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
  • Ezekiel 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;

“statute” Hebrew H2708 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Numbers 9:3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
  • 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

“offer” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.