Leviticus 20
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1Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Moreover, you shall tell the children of Israel, ‘Anyone of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel, who gives any of his offspring to Molech; he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people because he has given of his offspring to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. 4If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person, when he gives of his offspring to Molech, and don’t put him to death; 5then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who play the prostitute after him, to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people. 6“‘The person that turns to those who are mediums, and to the wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people. 7“‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am Yahweh your God. 8You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am Yahweh who sanctifies you. 9“‘For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death: he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. 10“‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11“‘The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 12“‘If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have committed a perversion; their blood shall be upon them. 13“‘If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 14“‘If a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burned with fire, both he and they; that there may be no wickedness among you. 15“‘If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; and you shall kill the animal. 16“‘If a woman approaches any animal, and lies with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. 17“‘If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness; it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity. 18“‘If a man lies with a woman having her monthly period, and uncovers her nakedness; he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people. 19“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister; for he has made his close relative naked. They shall bear their iniquity. 20If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless. 21“‘If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless. 22“‘You shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my ordinances, and do them; that the land, where I am bringing you to dwell, may not vomit you out. 23You shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I am casting out before you: for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the peoples. 25“‘You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean: and you shall not make yourselves abominable by animal, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean for you. 26You shall be holy to me; for I, Yahweh, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine. 27“‘A man or a woman that is a medium, or is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
Leviticus 20:26
Summary
Leviticus chapter 20 outlines a series of laws emphasizing the holiness expected of the Israelites. God reiterates the severity of practicing immoral behaviors, particularly those associated with cultic practices and sexual sin. The chapter begins with a stern prohibition against child sacrifice to Molech, indicating the grave consequences of such actions, which include being cut off from the community. This serves to underscore the seriousness of idolatry and the protection of innocent life. Following this, the chapter lists various sexual offenses, including adultery, incest, and bestiality, each accompanied by strict penalties, reinforcing the importance of moral purity within the community.
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Chapter outline
How Leviticus 20 unfolds
Leviticus 20:1–5 Prohibitions Against Idolatry
Yahweh commands Moses to instruct the Israelites against child sacrifice to Molech, stating that offenders will be put to death. This section highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the importance of protecting innocent life within the community.
Leviticus 20:6–11 Consequences for Immoral Behavior
Those who engage in practices like consulting mediums or committing adultery face severe penalties, including death. The chapter emphasizes moral integrity and the dire consequences of sexual immorality.
Leviticus 20:12–21 Sexual Immorality Defined
Specific sexual sins, including incest and bestiality, are outlined with corresponding punishments. This section reinforces the call for sexual purity and the sanctity of family relations.
Leviticus 20:22–27 Call to Holiness and Distinction
Yahweh urges the Israelites to maintain holiness and distinguish between clean and unclean. This separation is essential for their identity as God's chosen people.
Key verses
Leviticus 20:26Leviticus 20:26 underscores the chapter's weight by establishing God's call for His people to emulate His holiness.
Main themes in Leviticus 20
Holiness and Separation
The theme of holiness and separation surfaces in several prohibitions in Leviticus 20, particularly in verses 7-8 and 24-26. The chapter develops this theme by emphasizing that the Israelites must distinguish themselves from surrounding nations through their practices and moral behavior. This distinction reinforces their identity as a people set apart for God.
Consequences of Sin
Consequences of sin are highlighted throughout Leviticus 20, especially in verses 9-21, where specific transgressions are met with severe penalties. The chapter elaborates on the repercussions of actions such as idolatry, sexual immorality, and various forms of rebellion against God, emphasizing that these sins disrupt both individual and communal integrity. This framing underlines the importance of maintaining communal purity and the gravity of disobedience, reinforcing the need for adherence to God's commands.
Community Standards
Community standards are a prominent theme in Leviticus 20, evident in both the laws and the prescribed punishments in verses 2-5 and 10-21. The chapter reinforces that these standards must be upheld collectively by the community to ensure moral integrity. This communal aspect emphasizes the shared responsibility of maintaining holiness.
Divine Justice
Divine justice is exemplified in the prescribed punishments for grave offenses in Leviticus 20, particularly in verses 2-6 and 10-16. This chapter articulates that God's justice is a reflection of His holiness, demanding severe accountability for actions against His laws. This theme illustrates the serious nature of transgressing divine commands.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Leviticus 20
- Leviticus 18This passage connects by outlining similar sexual immorality laws and the importance of holiness among the Israelites.
- Leviticus 19This chapter echoes the call for holiness through ethical behavior and community relationships, reinforcing moral standards.
- 1 Peter 1The connection lies in the call to holiness, reflecting God's nature as a standard for believers.
- 1 Corinthians 6This passage develops the theme of sexual morality and the body as a temple, promoting purity among believers.
- Leviticus 11This section connects by emphasizing clean and unclean distinctions, reinforcing the theme of holiness in lifestyle.
- Deuteronomy 27This passage echoes the consequences of disobedience, highlighting the covenantal relationship and the seriousness of sin.
Study questions
Questions for studying Leviticus 20
- What practices are condemned in Leviticus 20?
- How does God emphasize the consequences of idolatry?
- What specific sexual sins are mentioned in this chapter?
- How does the call to holiness shape Israelite identity?
- What role does community play in enforcing these laws?
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