Leviticus 24:15 kjv

And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.

Leviticus 24:15 nkjv

"Then you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin.

Leviticus 24:15 niv

Say to the Israelites: 'Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible;

Leviticus 24:15 esv

And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin.

Leviticus 24:15 nlt

Say to the people of Israel: Those who curse their God will be punished for their sin.

Leviticus 24 verses

Leviticus 24 15 Meaning

Leviticus 24:15 establishes a perpetual law in Israel, declaring that any person who profanes the name of their God through cursing shall be held directly responsible for their transgression. This means the individual will personally endure the guilt and consequent penalty for such a severe act against the Divine. The verse connects a specific incident of blasphemy to a foundational principle of accountability and reverence for the Lord's holy name, emphasizing that desecrating God's name carries severe ramifications for the individual who commits it.

Leviticus 24 15 Context

Leviticus chapter 24 initiates with instructions regarding the perpetual lamp and showbread within the Tabernacle, underscoring the holiness of God's dwelling and the precise nature of worship. This section (vv. 1-9) is suddenly interrupted by the narrative in verses 10-14, recounting a specific and shocking incident: the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father, while fighting in the camp, blasphemed (cursed and pronounced the sacred name of) the LORD. This unprecedented event necessitated divine judgment, and God commanded Moses that the blasphemer be put to death by stoning by the whole congregation.

Immediately following this particular case, verses 15-16 pivot from the specific incident to the general law. Verse 15 declares the general principle of culpability for blasphemy, and verse 16 reiterates the exact punishment, broadening the scope beyond the initial incident to encompass "any man" (including both native-born and stranger, as clarified in verse 22). This structural flow—from a specific judicial crisis to the establishment of a universal covenant law—is a common legislative pattern within the Torah, highlighting how individual events could shape the communal statutes for Israel. Historically, such a law underscored the absolute sovereignty and unparalleled holiness of Yahweh in a world permeated by polytheism, differentiating Israel's devotion to the one true God.

Leviticus 24 15 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן, lakēn): This conjunctive adverb signals a direct consequence or conclusion drawn from the preceding narrative. It links the specific incident of the blasphemer in verses 10-14 to the general statute about blasphemy that follows, demonstrating that the law is being promulgated directly as a result of that specific event.

• you shall speak (תְּדַבֵּר, təḏabbēr): A direct command to Moses (masculine singular imperfect verb), emphasizing his role as the divine intermediary appointed to convey God's will and law to the people of Israel.

• to the people of Israel (אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, ’el-bənê Yiśrā’ēl): Literally "to the sons of Israel." This specifies the primary recipients of God's covenant laws—His chosen nation. The law is meant for their instruction and adherence.

• saying (לֵאמֹר, lē’mōr): A common introductory phrase in Hebrew scripture, signifying that what follows is direct speech or a direct command from the divine source through the speaker (Moses).

• Whoever curses (יְקַלֵּל, yəqallēl): From the root קָלַל (qalal), meaning to treat lightly, make contemptible, revile, or curse. In this context, it denotes a deliberate, vocal act of disparagement or dishonor against God, signifying profound disrespect and profanity, going beyond mere disrespectful thoughts.

• his God (אֱלֹהָיו, ’ĕlōhāyw): The possessive pronoun "his" is critical. It implies a personal relationship or allegiance, highlighting that the individual is cursing the God whom they are obligated to serve and obey. Even for those of mixed heritage (as per the earlier narrative), living among Israel implies an acknowledgement of Israel's God, thus incurring this responsibility. This refers to the unique God of Israel, Yahweh.

• shall bear (יִשָּׂא, yiśśāʾ): From נָשָׂא (nasa), meaning to lift, carry, bear, or endure. Here, it signifies accepting the consequences or responsibility for an action. It implies the personal and inescapable suffering of the penalty for the offense.

• his sin (חֵטְאוֹ, ḥeṭ’ō): From חֵטְא (ḥeṭ), meaning offense, guilt, punishment, or sin. In this context, "his sin" points not just to the moral offense itself but more specifically to the guilt incurred and the ensuing penalty or divine judgment that the individual must face. It’s an idiom for undergoing the full consequences of the transgression.

• "Therefore you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying": This phrase underlines the legislative process initiated by a specific event. God, through Moses, is establishing a formal statute, ensuring it is clearly communicated to the entire covenant community. It shows God's commitment to both righteous judgment and universal instruction.

• "Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin": This constitutes the core legal pronouncement. It clearly defines the crime (cursing one's God) and establishes the principle of individual accountability for such an act. "Bearing sin" here is a direct precursor to the specified punishment of death by stoning in the subsequent verse, indicating an unalterable judgment on the one who commits such an offense.

Leviticus 24 15 Bonus section

• The incident preceding this verse (Lev 24:10-14) involves a man of mixed heritage. By making the law applicable to "whoever curses," the law implicitly applies to all who reside within the Israelite camp, regardless of their immediate parentage or ethnic background, reinforcing the concept that all within the covenant community are bound by the same divine laws (as explicitly stated in v. 22).
• The command "you shall speak" (v. 15) indicates the legislative nature of this divine revelation. It wasn't a one-time instruction but a command to be taught and known throughout generations, becoming an enduring part of Israelite jurisprudence.
• The phrase "bear his sin" also carries an theological dimension, highlighting that no sin against God goes unaddressed or unpunished. While the immediate context points to physical death, in a broader biblical sense, bearing one's sin implies guilt and separation from God, until atonement or judgment occurs.
• In the Old Testament, the Name of God (Yahweh, יְהֹוָה) was so sacred that uttering it directly (apart from priestly blessing or specific sacred acts) could be considered blasphemous or highly irreverent, often leading to using circumlocutions like "the Name" (HaShem). Cursing "His God" here directly threatens this profound reverence.

Leviticus 24 15 Commentary

Leviticus 24:15 succinctly articulates a pivotal principle concerning the reverence due to the divine Name in ancient Israel. Arising from a concrete incident where blasphemy occurred, the verse translates that unique situation into a universally applicable statute. It powerfully states that any act of verbally assaulting or dishonoring "his God"—the God with whom one is in covenant relationship, or under whose divine rule one resides—is not merely an impropriety but a grave sin with direct and severe personal consequences. "Bearing his sin" fundamentally signifies accountability to the point of suffering the prescribed penalty, which, as subsequent verses clarify, means capital punishment. This uncompromising stance underscored God's absolute holiness, Israel's unique status as a theo-cracy, and the indispensable need to protect the sanctity of the Lord's Name from all profanation, ensuring purity within the covenant community.