What does Leviticus 19:29 mean?
"¶ Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness." - Leviticus 19:29
Leviticus 19:29 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness."
This verse is part of the Laws of Holiness given to the Israelites by God through Moses. It specifically addresses the issue of sexual immorality, particularly using the act of prostitution as a symbol of wickedness and moral decay. In this verse, God is instructing the Israelites to uphold the sanctity of human sexuality, especially as it pertains to their daughters.
The theme of this verse centers on the preservation of purity and morality within the community. The act of prostituting one's daughter was seen as a gross violation of both her dignity and the moral fabric of society. The emphasis on not causing one's daughter to be a whore highlights the importance of protecting and honoring the virtue of women, as well as maintaining the purity of the community as a whole.
The context of Leviticus 19:29 is important for understanding its significance within the larger Biblical narrative. The chapter as a whole contains a series of ethical and moral laws meant to guide the Israelites in righteous living. These laws cover a wide range of topics, from loving your neighbor and showing kindness to the poor, to respecting elders and practicing honesty in business dealings. In the midst of these laws, the prohibition against prostituting one's daughter stands out as a strong admonition against the degradation of women and the corruption of the community's moral values.
Symbolism plays a crucial role in the interpretation of this verse. The act of prostitution is used as a symbol of moral decay and social corruption. By using this extreme example, God is emphasizing the severity of the consequences of disregarding His moral laws. It symbolizes the erosion of purity, dignity, and moral integrity that results from engaging in such sinful behavior. The image of the land falling to whoredom serves as a powerful metaphor for the broader implications of moral degradation within a society.
On a deeper level, this verse also points to the spiritual significance of sexual purity and the sacredness of the body. In the Old Testament, the concept of holiness is closely tied to the idea of being set apart for God's purposes. By prohibiting the act of prostitution, God is reminding the Israelites of the importance of upholding moral purity as a reflection of their consecration to Him. This verse serves as a reminder that one's actions, especially in the realm of sexuality, have profound spiritual implications and are interconnected with one's relationship with God.
In summary, Leviticus 19:29 carries a powerful message about the preservation of moral purity and the sanctity of human sexuality. It serves as a warning against the degradation of women and the moral fabric of society through the sinful act of prostitution. Through its ethical and symbolic significance, this verse underscores the importance of upholding moral integrity and spiritual consecration within the community. It is a call to honor the dignity of others and to live in accordance with God's moral decrees, as a testament to our devotion to Him.
Have questions about Leviticus 19:29?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Leviticus 19:29 Artwork
Leviticus 19:29 - "¶ Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness."
"¶ Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness." - Leviticus 19:29
Leviticus 13:29 - "¶ If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;"
Genesis 19-29
Leviticus 21:19 - "Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded,"
Leviticus 6:29 - "All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy."
Leviticus 22:29 - "And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will."
Leviticus 6:19 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Leviticus 19:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Proverbs 19:29 - "Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools."
Leviticus 11:19 - "And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat."
Leviticus 19:7 - "And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted."
Leviticus 23:29 - "For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people."
"Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded," - Leviticus 21:19
Leviticus 5:19 - "It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD."
Leviticus 19:35 - "¶ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure."
Leviticus 8:29 - "And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses."
Leviticus 18:29 - "For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people."
Leviticus 4:29 - "And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering."
Proverbs 29:19 - "A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer."
Leviticus 14:29 - "And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD."
Leviticus 8:19 - "And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about."
Leviticus 19:33 - "¶ And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him."
"¶ If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;" - Leviticus 13:29
Leviticus 19:11 - "¶ Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another."
Leviticus 19:24 - "But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal."
Leviticus 11:29 - "¶ These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind,"
Leviticus 13:19 - "And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be shewed to the priest;"
Leviticus 22:19 - "Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats."
Leviticus 9:19 - "And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver:"