Leviticus 24: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Leviticus 24 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh spoke to Moses about the lampstand. The children of Israel must bring pure olive oil for the lamp to burn continually (vv. 1-2). Aaron must keep the lamps in order before Yahweh every evening (vv. 3-4). Twelve cakes made from fine flour are to be prepared and arranged on a pure gold table (vv. 5-6). Pure frankincense is to be put on each row as an offering (vv. 7-9).

Key verse

“He who blasphemes Yahweh’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.”
Leviticus 24:16 (WEB)

Outline

Leviticus 24:1–4 Instructions for the Lampstand
Leviticus 24:5–9 Preparation of the Showbread
Leviticus 24:10–12 Incident of Blasphemy
Leviticus 24:13–16 Divine Judgment on Blasphemy
Leviticus 24:17–22 Laws of Retribution
Leviticus 24:23 Execution of Judgment

Discussion questions

In v6, why are the twelve cakes set in two rows before Yahweh?
What does the phrase 'pure olive oil beaten' in v2 indicate about the lamp?
In vv. 15-16, why is cursing the Name of Yahweh punishable by death?
Why is there a distinction made between the foreigner and the native-born in v22?
When have you witnessed or experienced a situation where 'the congregation' took action in response to wrongdoing?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Leviticus 24: Matthew 5, Numbers 15, Exodus 25.

Before next time: read Leviticus 25.