1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
3 And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
4 And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:
5 Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.
6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.
9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
12 And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
14 And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
19 And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.
20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
22 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.
23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.
24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.
25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.
26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus is the third book of the Old Testament and is primarily concerned with the laws and regulations of the Israelites. Chapter 20 of Leviticus continues this theme, detailing the punishments for various sins and setting the standards for moral and religious conduct. This chapter can be divided into three main sections: laws regarding sexual immorality, laws regarding ritual purity, and laws concerning the punishment for disobedience.
The first section of Leviticus 20 deals with the laws regarding sexual immorality. It begins by prohibiting sexual relations with close relatives, including one’s mother, father, sister, brother, daughter-in-law, and aunt. These laws are meant to maintain the sanctity of family relationships and prevent incestuous unions. Those who violate these laws are to be put to death, as it is seen as a grave offense against God and nature.
The chapter then goes on to address other forms of sexual immorality, such as adultery, bestiality, and homosexuality. Adultery, which is defined as sexual relations with someone other than one’s spouse, is punishable by death for both parties involved. Bestiality, which is sexual relations with an animal, is also punishable by death. Homosexuality is also condemned as an abomination and those who engage in it are to be put to death.
These laws may seem extreme to modern readers, but they were meant to maintain the purity and holiness of the Israelites as God’s chosen people. Sexual purity was seen as a crucial aspect of their relationship with God and any violation of these laws was considered a serious offense.
The second section of Leviticus 20 deals with laws concerning ritual purity. These laws were meant to ensure that the Israelites remained pure and holy before God. The chapter begins by forbidding the practice of offering children as sacrifices to the god Molech. This was a common practice among the neighboring nations, but the Israelites were commanded to only offer sacrifices to the Lord.
The chapter then goes on to address the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy. The Israelites were to observe the Sabbath and refrain from any work on that day. Anyone who violated this law was to be put to death.
Other laws regarding ritual purity include abstaining from eating blood and practicing divination or witchcraft. These practices were seen as defiling and were strictly prohibited. Additionally, the Israelites were commanded to remain separate from the nations around them and to not adopt their customs or practices.
The final section of Leviticus 20 deals with the punishment for disobedience. This includes a wide range of offenses, from cursing one’s parents to committing adultery. The severity of the punishment often depends on the severity of the offense. For example, cursing one’s parents is punishable by death, while cursing a fellow Israelite is punishable by exile.
The purpose of these laws was to maintain order and discipline among the Israelites. Disobedience and rebellion were not tolerated, as they were seen as a direct defiance of God’s commands. The punishments were meant to serve as a deterrent and to instill fear and respect for God’s laws.
At first glance, Leviticus chapter 20 may seem like a list of harsh laws and punishments. However, a deeper understanding of the context and purpose behind these laws reveals a greater meaning and significance.
Firstly, these laws were given to the Israelites as a way to maintain their distinct identity as God’s chosen people. By forbidding practices that were common among the surrounding nations, the Israelites were set apart as a holy and pure nation. This was essential for their relationship with God and for fulfilling his plan for them.
Secondly, these laws served as a reminder of the seriousness of sin. The punishment for disobedience was severe because sin was seen as a direct offense against God. It was meant to serve as a warning to the Israelites to remain faithful and obedient to God’s commands.
Furthermore, these laws also highlight the holiness and righteousness of God. The Israelites were called to reflect God’s character in their own lives, and these laws were a means to achieve that. By following these laws, the Israelites were living in accordance with God’s will and demonstrating their loyalty and devotion to him.
Finally, these laws foreshadow the need for a savior. The strict punishments for sin and the constant reminder of the Israelites’ inability to fully keep the laws serve as a reminder of humanity’s fallen nature. It points to the need for a perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people, which was fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, Leviticus chapter 20 may seem like a list of archaic laws, but it carries a deeper meaning and significance. It serves as a reminder of God’s holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the need for a savior. It also highlights the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God’s commands. As Christians, we can learn from these laws and strive to live in accordance with God’s will, knowing that we have been redeemed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
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