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Leviticus 20

27 verses

TL;DR

Leviticus 20 presents a series of strict divine laws condemning idolatry, incest, sexual immorality, and witchcraft, with death penalties for transgressors, underscoring Israel’s covenantal holiness.

Summary

Leviticus 20 opens with an order to eliminate the worship of Molech, declaring that anyone who offers a child to this deity shall be stoned. The chapter continues with a litany of forbidden sexual relations—adultery, incest, and homosexual acts—each carrying the death penalty or being cut off from the people. It also condemns familiarity with spirits or wizardry, again calling for execution. Throughout, the Israelites are urged to sanctify themselves, keep the statutes, and maintain a distinct identity apart from surrounding nations. The law emphasizes that sin disrupts the covenant relationship and that divine judgment will preserve the sanctity of the sanctuary and the nation.

Outline
  1. 1. Prohibition of idolatry and sacrificial practices (Molech).
  2. 2. Detailed moral statutes covering sexual conduct, family relations, and occult practices.
  3. 3. Call to holiness, purity, and adherence to divine statutes to sustain covenantal identity.
Themes
Holiness and separation from idolatryStrict moral codes on sexuality and familyDivine judgment and covenantal responsibility
Keywords
holinesspenanceMolechincestadulteryfamiliar spiritswizardrycleanuncleandeath penaltycovenant
People
MosesLORDIsraelstrangerspeople of the land
Places
Israelland of Israel
Things
stonesfirebeastsfamiliar spiritswizardsMolech
Key Verses
  • Leviticus 20:1-3: Law against offering children to Molech, foundational for the chapter's theme of holiness.
  • Leviticus 20:10-11: Adultery penalty establishes the severe consequence of sexual immorality.
  • Leviticus 20:13: Homosexual acts denounced as an abomination, reflecting broader moral codes.
  • Leviticus 20:18-21: Incest laws highlight the sanctity of family boundaries.
  • Leviticus 20:25: Distinguishing clean from unclean beasts underscores covenantal purity.
  • Leviticus 20:27: Execution for familiar spirits or wizards demonstrates the threat of occult practices.
Questions
  • Why does the law prescribe such severe penalties for these offenses?
  • How does the emphasis on holiness reflect Israel’s covenantal relationship with the LORD?
  • In what ways does the text differentiate between clean and unclean, and why is this important?
  • What is the significance of the repeated command to keep the statutes?
  • How do the laws regarding family relations inform our understanding of ancient Israelite society?
  • What ethical lessons can contemporary readers draw from these statutes?
Sentiment

mixed
Commands harsh penalties but also underscores holiness and covenantal identity.