Verses 44-45 are the concluding remarks of the LORD in this part of Leviticus. These words summarize the historical and theological basis for the idea of purity and holiness among the Israelites. The first word in verse 44 is an important transition word, adding force to the affirmation that follows, while at the same time indicating a relationship to the preceding paragraphs. Most English versions have For, but some omit it altogether.

It must be emphasized that the idea of holiness in Hebrew has more to do with being “set apart” or “designated as special” than with moral purity. When the God of Israel says I am holy, he affirms that he is perfect in every sense and therefore completely different (or “set apart”) from every human being and all of creation. When he requires of his people that they be holy, he invites them not so much to strive toward moral perfection, but to establish communion with him. He demands that they put aside all obstacles to that relationship—especially impurity or uncleanness. The translator usually tries to use the same word for what God is like and what he requires of his people. But in some cases it may be necessary to resort to the use of two different words or expressions in order to retain the meaning. For example, “I, the LORD your God, am holy, and this is why you must also live as people who are pure and who belong to me alone.” One may also consider “I, the LORD your God, am completely different from all others (or, from everything else); and you too must live as a people that are completely different and who belong to me.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .