Leviticus 24

23 verses

TL;DR

Leviticus 24 outlines regulations for worship materials, details a severe punishment for blasphemy, and sets forth restitution and criminal laws.

Summary

The chapter begins with instructions for lighting lamps in the tabernacle using pure olive oil and baking twelve cakes with frankincense for a memorial offering. It then narrates the case of an Israelite woman’s son who blasphemed the name of the Lord, leading to his execution by stoning. Following the narrative, Moses recites a series of statutes: the death penalty for blasphemy, murder, and the requirement of restitution for theft or injury, emphasizing that the same laws apply to foreigners and natives alike. The laws reinforce the holiness of God and the importance of justice within the community.

Outline

Laws on lamps, bread and incense
Case of blasphemy and its punishment
Restitution and criminal statutes for murder, theft, and injury

Themes

Holiness and sanctityJustice and retributive lawCovenant responsibility

Keywords

blasphemystoningpure oilincenserestitutioneye for eyecovenantmurderjustice

People

MosesAaronShelomithDibriIsraelite woman’s son

Places

Israelcamptabernacleholy placethe Lord’s altar

Things

pure olive oillampscandlestickbread cakesfrankincensecovenant

Key Verses

Leviticus 24:14: Mandates communal execution by stoning for blasphemy, illustrating the gravity of sin.
Leviticus 24:20: States the law of 'eye for eye', foundational to later legal ethics.

Questions

What does the law of 'eye for eye' say about the relationship between sin and punishment?
How does the narrative of the Israelite woman’s son reflect Israel’s covenantal identity?
In what ways do the laws regarding lamps and incense emphasize the holiness of worship?
Why does Leviticus emphasize the same laws for foreigners and natives?
How do these statutes inform our understanding of justice in ancient Israel?

Sentiment

neutral
The passage contains harsh punitive language but also conveys the importance of holiness and justice.