Foundation Text

Leviticus 18:5

Hebrew Key Terms

• H2708 חֻקָּה (chuqqah) - statute, ordinance
• H4941 מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) - judgment, ordinance
• H6213 עָשָׂה (asah) - do, make, perform
• H2421 חָיָה (chayah) - live, have life

Context: In the midst of laws forbidding pagan sexual practices, God states the principle underlying the Mosaic covenant: "Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them." This verse crystallizes the works-principle of the law.

OT-to-OT Development

• This principle is foundational to the Mosaic covenant's structure (Deut 30:15-20: obedience = life, disobedience = death)
• Ezekiel quotes this verse repeatedly (Ezek 20:11, 13, 21) to indict Israel for covenant failure
• Nehemiah 9:29 uses this verse to summarize Israel's rejection of life through disobedience
• Paul later sets this "do and live" principle against the faith-principle of Gen 15:6 and Hab 2:4 (Rom 10:5-6; Gal 3:11-12); the opposition is his juxtaposition, not one the OT texts draw among themselves

Connections

• TO:
  • Genesis 15:6 - faith-righteousness precedes law by 430 years
  • Exodus 19:5-6 - conditional covenant
• FROM OT:
  • Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - life and death set before Israel
  • Ezekiel 20:11, 13, 21 - prophetic indictment using this verse
  • Nehemiah 9:29 - covenant history review
• FROM NT:
  • Romans 10:5 - law-righteousness vs. faith-righteousness
  • Galatians 3:12 - law opposed to faith-principle

Christological Connection: Christ is the only person who perfectly "did" all the law's demands and thus "lived" by them (Matt 5:17; John 8:46; Heb 4:15). His active obedience fulfills the "do this and live" principle on behalf of all who believe. Paul contrasts the law's "do and live" with the gospel's "believe and live" (Rom 10:5-13; Gal 3:11-12). The righteousness of the law, impossible for sinners, is imputed to believers through faith in Christ (Rom 8:3-4; Phil 3:9).

Connection Method(s): Contrast, Redemptive-Historical Progression — The law's "do this and live" principle exposes human inability and stands in contrast with the gospel's "believe and live," while Christ alone fulfilled the law's demands through perfect active obedience on behalf of His people.

Trajectory Table: 164 - Two Covenants (Law and Promise)