Select Language
AaSelect font sizeDark ModeSet to dark mode
Browse by Book

Leviticus 20:22 meaning

God’s blessing is available for those who live by His commandments.

“You are therefore to keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them, so that the land to which I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out.” (Leviticus 20:22) In this verse, the LORD instructs the Israelites to observe His rules and laws without exception. These commands include both moral directives and ritual ordinances meant to set Israel apart as a holy people. By emphasizing that the land “will not vomit you out,” God underscores the direct relationship between obedience and enjoying the blessings of the land. The weight of this warning implies that if the people adopt the immoral practices of the nations surrounding them, they will forfeit their privilege of dwelling in that place.

The region referred to here is the promised land of Canaan. Located in the ancient Near East, primarily in the region of modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories, Canaan was a strategic crossroads linking Africa, Asia, and Europe, making it a culturally diverse area. The biblical narrative tells us that Moses, who lived approximately from 1525-1406 BC, led the Israelites from Egypt toward this territory. According to the covenant established at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24), the gift of living in this land was conditioned on faithfulness to the LORD’s precepts.

At the heart of this command is the idea that unrighteousness defiles not only individuals but also the place where they dwell, leading to God’s judgment. The imagery of the land “vomiting” provides a powerful picture of how abominable behavior stands in stark contrast to God’s holiness. This concept points forward to the New Testament, where Jesus teaches that obedience to God flows from love for Him and bears fruit in righteous action (John 14:15). The promise—and warning—of Leviticus 20:22 challenges believers of every era to cultivate holiness, knowing that the well-being of the community depends on the integrity of God’s people.

Leviticus 20:22