Leviticus 20 2

Leviticus 20:2 kjv

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.

Leviticus 20:2 nkjv

"Again, you shall say to the children of Israel: 'Whoever of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who gives any of his descendants to Molech, he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Leviticus 20:2 niv

"Say to the Israelites: 'Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him.

Leviticus 20:2 esv

"Say to the people of Israel, Any one of the people of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Leviticus 20:2 nlt

"Give the people of Israel these instructions, which apply both to native Israelites and to the foreigners living in Israel. "If any of them offer their children as a sacrifice to Molech, they must be put to death. The people of the community must stone them to death.

Leviticus 20 verses

Leviticus 20 2 Meaning

Leviticus 20:2 sets forth a severe and uncompromising judgment against the practice of child sacrifice to Molech. It decrees that any Israelite or stranger living among them who offers their offspring to this pagan deity shall be unequivocally executed by the community through stoning. This commandment underscores the absolute abhorrence of such practices in God's sight, demanding ultimate devotion to Him alone and protecting the sanctity of human life.

Leviticus 20 2 Context

Leviticus 20 forms part of the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), emphasizing the required moral and cultic purity for Israel to remain distinct as God's covenant people. Following detailed laws concerning sexual purity in Chapter 18 and various holiness precepts in Chapter 19, Chapter 20 specifically lists offenses that merit the death penalty, underlining the severity of sin and the demand for Israel's moral purity.

Historically and culturally, child sacrifice was a prevalent and horrific practice among the Canaanite nations surrounding Israel. This included Ammonites, Phoenicians, and others who offered their children, often through fire, to deities like Molech, Baal, and Asherah. Such acts were typically intended to secure blessings, appease angry gods, or achieve material prosperity. By prohibiting this practice, Yahweh drew a sharp moral distinction between Himself and the pagan gods, declaring these practices an "abomination." It was a direct theological polemic, asserting Yahweh's sole authority over life and death, and rejecting any form of worship that devalued human life, which He created in His image (Gen 1:27). The very concept of sacrificing one's own offspring, particularly through fire, stood in stark opposition to the Lord who required a firstborn dedication (Ex 13:2, 12-16) that was always redeemable, emphasizing life rather than demanding death.

Leviticus 20 2 Word analysis

• Also you shall say: This indicates that Moses is relaying God’s direct command to the people, emphasizing divine authority.
• children of Israel: Hebrew: bĕnê yiśrā’ēl. Refers to the covenant community, the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen nation. These laws specifically apply to those in covenant relationship with Yahweh.
• or of the strangers who dwell in Israel: Hebrew: ger. These were resident aliens who had taken up permanent residence among the Israelites. They were subject to the nation's moral and legal codes, particularly those that touched on the purity and holiness of the land and the community. This indicates that certain moral standards were universal, applying to anyone living within the land consecrated to Yahweh.
• who gives any of his descendants: Hebrew: yitten mi-zar‘o. "Descendants" (zera') literally means "seed" or "offspring," encompassing any child. "Gives" (natan) indicates a deliberate act of offering. The phrase is often linked with "passing through the fire" (e.g., Lev 18:21), implying dedication or actual immolation.
• to Molech: Hebrew: le-molẹḵ. Molech (sometimes Malcam) was a specific pagan deity, often associated with Ammonite worship, to whom child sacrifices were made. Scholars suggest the name itself may be a deliberate derogatory alteration of melech (king), potentially incorporating the vowels of bosheth (shame) to brand it an abomination. Worship often involved "passing through the fire," believed to involve burning children as offerings. This practice was deeply antithetical to the worship of Yahweh, who gave life.
• he shall surely be put to death: Hebrew: mot yūmāt. This is an intensive Hebrew idiom, a grammatical construct using the infinitive absolute before the finite verb, meaning "dying, he shall die" or "he shall certainly die." It expresses absolute certainty and severity of execution, leaving no room for leniency.
• The people of the land: Hebrew: ʿam hāʾāreṣ. This refers to the local community or congregation of Israel, emphasizing corporate responsibility for upholding God’s law and removing evil from their midst.
• shall stone him with stones: Hebrew: yirgemuhu baʾăbānîm. Stoning was a prescribed method of execution for serious offenses against God or the community (e.g., idolatry, blasphemy, rebellion). It involved the entire community, signifying public repudiation of the sin and corporate purification. The witnesses would often cast the first stones (Deut 17:7).

Leviticus 20 2 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on child sacrifice in Leviticus and Deuteronomy serves as a vital boundary marker for Israel's identity and their relationship with God. It was not merely an illegal act but a complete antithesis to Yahweh's character as a life-giving, loving God who liberates His people, unlike the cruel and demanding gods of the pagan nations. This prohibition can be seen as a protection against spiritual delusion, where humans, driven by fear, greed, or a distorted desire for control, attempt to manipulate divine favor through extreme, unholy acts. The contrast with God's provision of His own Son for the ultimate sacrifice (Jn 3:16) later in redemptive history offers an even sharper spiritual understanding, highlighting the immeasurable grace and profound difference between the God of Israel and false deities.

Leviticus 20 2 Commentary

Leviticus 20:2 is a profound statement against one of the most detestable acts in the ancient world: child sacrifice. God's emphatic prohibition reveals several core theological principles. Firstly, it underscores the infinite value of human life, particularly that of children, whom God sees as a heritage (Ps 127:3). To offer them to a pagan deity, especially through such a horrific method as burning, was a direct assault on the sanctity of life given by the Creator. Secondly, it highlights the exclusivity and absolute nature of Yahweh's demand for worship. He tolerates no rivals and considers the worship of Molech an ultimate act of apostasy and betrayal, profaning His holy name (Lev 18:21). This command protects Israel's covenant purity, ensuring they would be set apart from the depraved practices of the nations around them. Lastly, the prescribed method of death by communal stoning illustrates that such an act defiled not just the individual but the entire land and community. The active participation of "the people of the land" in the execution served as a means of ritual cleansing and corporate disassociation from the abomination, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to God's holiness and justice. It also functioned as a powerful deterrent, impressing upon every individual the severe consequences of violating God's most fundamental laws. This strong judgment reinforces the message that covenant loyalty necessitates absolute obedience to God's moral demands.