Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 20

Introduction

Overview

Leviticus 20:1, Of him that gives of his seed to Moloch; Leviticus 20:4, Of him that favours such an one; Leviticus 20:6, Of going to wizards; Leviticus 20:7, Of sanctification; Leviticus 20:9, Of him that curses his parents; Leviticus 20:10, Of adultery; Leviticus 20:11, Of incest; Leviticus 20:13, Of sodomy; Leviticus 20:15, Of bestiality; Leviticus 20:18, Of uncleanness; Leviticus 20:22, Obedience is required with holiness; Leviticus 20:27, Wizards must be put to death.

Verse 1

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 12:14 - If ye will Ezra 7:26 - whether it be Jeremiah 7:31 - which I Ezekiel 16:21 - to pass

Verse 2

Whosoever: Leviticus 17:8, Leviticus 17:13, Leviticus 17:15

giveth: Leviticus 18:21, Deuteronomy 12:31, Deuteronomy 18:10, 2 Kings 17:17, 2 Kings 23:10, 2 Chronicles 28:3, 2 Chronicles 33:6, Psalms 106:38, Isaiah 57:5, Isaiah 57:6, Jeremiah 7:31, Jeremiah 32:35, Ezekiel 16:20, Ezekiel 16:21, Ezekiel 20:26, Ezekiel 20:31, Ezekiel 23:37, Ezekiel 23:39, Acts 7:43, Moloch.

Molech: The Rabbins describe this idol as made of brass sitting upon a throne of the same metal, in the form of a man, with the head of a calf, adorned with a royal crown, and his arms extended as if to embrace any one. When they offered any children to him, they heated the statue by a great fire kindled within, and the victim was put into his arms, and thus consumed. Others relate, that the idol, which was hollow, was divided into seven compartments within; in one of which they put flour, in the second turtles, in the third a ewe, in the fourth a ram, in the fifth a calf, in the sixth an ox, and the seventh a child; which were all burnt together by heating the statue inside. The account which Diodorus - l. xx. gives of the statue of Saturn, to which the Carthaginians, descendants of the Canaanites, sacrificed their children, is very similar. For they had a brazen stature of Saturn, stretching out his hands towards the ground, in such a manner that the children placed within them tumbled down into a pit full of fire. To this account Milton alludes, in Paradise Lost, B. 1. 392.

the people: Leviticus 20:27, Leviticus 24:14, Leviticus 24:23, Numbers 15:35, Numbers 15:36, Deuteronomy 13:10, Deuteronomy 13:11, Deuteronomy 17:5-7, Deuteronomy 21:21, Acts 7:58, Acts 7:59

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:25 - all Israel 1 Kings 11:5 - Milcom 2 Kings 16:3 - made his son 2 Kings 21:6 - he made Ezekiel 14:7 - of the stranger Amos 5:26 - the tabernacle of your Moloch

Verse 3

I will set: Leviticus 17:10, 1 Peter 3:12

to defile: Numbers 19:20, Ezekiel 5:11, Ezekiel 23:38, Ezekiel 23:39

profane: Leviticus 18:21, Ezekiel 20:39, 2 Corinthians 6:16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 17:4 - be cut off Leviticus 22:2 - that they profane not Leviticus 23:30 - General Numbers 15:30 - doeth ought Deuteronomy 31:16 - and go a 2 Kings 21:6 - he made Jeremiah 21:10 - I have Jeremiah 23:30 - General Ezekiel 14:8 - I will set Ezekiel 15:7 - I will set Amos 2:7 - to profane Malachi 2:12 - cut 1 Corinthians 3:17 - any

Verse 4

hide: Acts 17:30

and kill: Deuteronomy 13:8, Deuteronomy 17:2-5, Joshua 7:12, 1 Samuel 3:13, 1 Samuel 3:14, 1 Kings 20:42, Revelation 2:14

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 22:1 - hide thyself

Verse 5

I will: Leviticus 17:10

against his: Exodus 20:5, Jeremiah 32:28-35, Jeremiah 32:39

whoring: Leviticus 17:7, Psalms 106:39, Jeremiah 3:2, Hosea 2:5, Hosea 2:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:15 - whoring Leviticus 23:30 - General Leviticus 26:17 - set 2 Chronicles 21:11 - fornication Jeremiah 2:9 - with your Jeremiah 44:11 - I will Hosea 4:12 - gone

Verse 6

familiar: Leviticus 20:27, Leviticus 19:26, Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-14, Isaiah 8:19

go: Exodus 34:15, Exodus 34:16, Numbers 15:39, Psalms 73:27, Ezekiel 6:9, Hosea 4:12

cut him: 1 Chronicles 10:13, 1 Chronicles 10:14, In the days of Moses, superstition was almost the sensus communis of the human race, which then made severe punishment necessary: by means of the Christian dispensation such errors are now exploded, the cultivation of philosophy and natural history having harmonised and contributed their feebler share of light, so that we no longer have to deplore mischiefs occasioned by the silly curiosity attempting to unfold future events.

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:8 - the magicians of Egypt Exodus 22:18 - General Leviticus 18:29 - General Leviticus 23:30 - General Leviticus 26:17 - set Numbers 15:30 - doeth ought 1 Samuel 15:23 - witchcraft 1 Samuel 28:3 - put away 2 Chronicles 33:6 - he observed Psalms 106:39 - went Isaiah 2:6 - and are Jeremiah 44:11 - I will Malachi 3:5 - the sorcerers Acts 8:9 - used Acts 13:6 - certain 1 Peter 3:12 - but

Verse 7

Leviticus 11:44, Leviticus 19:2, Ephesians 1:4, Philippians 2:12, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 1:16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 18:2 - General Leviticus 19:31 - General Leviticus 20:26 - the Lord Leviticus 21:8 - for I Joshua 3:5 - Sanctify 1 Samuel 16:5 - sanctify yourselves Ezekiel 20:7 - I am Ezekiel 37:23 - but

Verse 8

And ye: Leviticus 18:4, Leviticus 18:5, Leviticus 19:37, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 7:24, Matthew 12:50, John 13:17, James 1:22, Revelation 22:14

sanctify: Leviticus 21:8, Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12, Ezekiel 37:28, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 22:16 - for I Leviticus 22:32 - hallow you Deuteronomy 4:1 - unto the statutes 1 Samuel 16:5 - sanctify yourselves Ezekiel 37:23 - but

Verse 9

curseth: The term yekallel signifies not only to curse, but to speak contemptuously, disrespectfully, or to make light of a person, so that all speeches which have a tendency to lessen our parents in the eyes of others, or to render their judgment, piety, etc., suspected or contemptible, is here included; though the act of cursing, or of treating the parent with injurious or opprobrious language, is what is particularly intended. He who conscientiously keeps the fifth commandment, can be in no danger of the judgment here denounced. Exodus 21:17, Deuteronomy 27:16, Proverbs 20:20, Proverbs 30:11, Proverbs 30:17, Matthew 15:4, Mark 7:10

his blood: Leviticus 20:11-13, Leviticus 20:16, Leviticus 20:27, Joshua 2:19, Judges 9:24, 2 Samuel 1:16, 1 Kings 2:32, Matthew 27:25

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:37 - thy blood Ezekiel 18:13 - blood Ezekiel 22:7 - set Ezekiel 33:4 - his blood Acts 18:6 - Your 1 Timothy 1:9 - murderers

Verse 10

the adulterer: Deuteronomy 22:22-24, 2 Samuel 12:13, Ezekiel 23:45-47, John 8:4, John 8:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:9 - a great Genesis 38:24 - let her Genesis 39:9 - how then Exodus 20:14 - General Leviticus 18:20 - General Numbers 5:13 - General Numbers 5:31 - bear Numbers 15:30 - doeth ought Judges 19:3 - speak Job 31:11 - an iniquity Psalms 50:18 - hast been partaker Proverbs 6:29 - he that Jeremiah 5:7 - they then Ezekiel 16:38 - as women Ezekiel 18:6 - neither hath defiled Ezekiel 22:11 - committed Malachi 3:5 - the sorcerers Matthew 1:19 - a public Matthew 5:27 - Thou Romans 7:3 - So then

Verse 11

Leviticus 18:8, Deuteronomy 27:20, Deuteronomy 27:23, Amos 2:7, 1 Corinthians 5:1

their: Leviticus 20:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 18:6 - to uncover Leviticus 18:7 - General Deuteronomy 22:30 - a man shall Joshua 2:19 - his blood 2 Samuel 1:16 - Thy blood 2 Samuel 16:21 - unto thy 1 Chronicles 5:1 - forasmuch Ezekiel 18:13 - blood Ezekiel 22:10 - discovered Ezekiel 33:4 - his blood Acts 18:6 - Your

Verse 12

lie: Leviticus 18:15, Genesis 38:16, Genesis 38:18, Deuteronomy 27:23

confusion: Leviticus 18:23

Reciprocal: Leviticus 18:6 - to uncover Ezekiel 22:11 - hath lewdly Acts 18:6 - Your

Verse 13

Leviticus 18:22, Genesis 19:5, Deuteronomy 23:17, Judges 19:22, Romans 1:26, Romans 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10, Jude 1:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:7 - General Ezekiel 33:26 - work

Verse 14

a wife: Leviticus 18:17, Deuteronomy 27:23, Amos 2:7

burnt: Leviticus 21:9, Joshua 7:15, Joshua 7:25

Verse 15

Leviticus 18:23, Exodus 22:19, Deuteronomy 27:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:13 - whether Exodus 21:28 - the ox

Verse 16

And if a woman: We are assured by Herodotus - in Euterp that the abominations here referred to existed among the Egyptians, and even formed part of their superstitious religious system, and we have reason to believe that they were not uncommon among the Canaanites. - See note on Leviticus 18:24, Leviticus 18:25. Need we wonder then, that God should have made laws of this nature, and appointed the punishment of death for these crimes? This one observation will account for many of those strange prohibitions which we find in the Mosaic law.

and the beast: Exodus 19:13, Exodus 21:28, Exodus 21:32, Hebrews 12:20

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:19 - General Leviticus 17:4 - be cut off Leviticus 18:23 - any beast Leviticus 20:9 - his blood Leviticus 24:15 - bear his sin 2 Samuel 1:16 - Thy blood

Verse 17

Leviticus 18:9, Genesis 20:12, Deuteronomy 27:22, 2 Samuel 13:12, Ezekiel 22:11

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:1 - bear Leviticus 7:18 - bear Leviticus 17:16 - General Leviticus 18:6 - to uncover Leviticus 24:15 - bear his sin Numbers 5:31 - bear 2 Samuel 13:4 - my brother

Verse 18

having: Leviticus 15:24, Leviticus 18:19, Ezekiel 18:6, Ezekiel 22:10

discovered: Heb. made naked

Reciprocal: Leviticus 15:19 - and her issue Leviticus 15:33 - and of him Leviticus 17:4 - be cut off Mark 5:29 - fountain

Verse 19

mother's: Leviticus 18:12, Leviticus 18:13-30, Exodus 6:20

uncovereth: Leviticus 18:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:43 - bear not iniquity Leviticus 7:18 - bear Leviticus 17:16 - General Numbers 14:34 - shall ye bear

Verse 20

uncle's wife: Leviticus 18:14

childless: Job 18:19, Psalms 109:13, Jeremiah 22:30, Luke 1:7, Luke 1:25, Luke 23:29

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:43 - bear not iniquity Leviticus 17:16 - General Numbers 9:13 - bear his sin Numbers 18:22 - bear sin Luke 20:29 - and died

Verse 21

his brother's: Leviticus 18:16, Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:4

an unclean thing: Heb. a separation

Reciprocal: Mark 6:18 - It is

Verse 22

statutes: Leviticus 18:4, Leviticus 18:5, Leviticus 18:26, Leviticus 19:37, Psalms 19:8-11, Psalms 105:45, Psalms 119:80, Psalms 119:145, Psalms 119:171, Ezekiel 36:27

judgments: Exodus 21:1, Deuteronomy 4:45, Deuteronomy 5:1, Psalms 119:20, Psalms 119:106, Psalms 119:160, Psalms 119:164, Psalms 119:175, Isaiah 26:8, Isaiah 26:9

spue you: Leviticus 18:25-28, Leviticus 26:33, Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 28:26

Reciprocal: Leviticus 18:24 - for Leviticus 18:28 - General 1 Kings 21:26 - according to 2 Chronicles 33:2 - like unto Isaiah 24:5 - defiled Jeremiah 9:19 - our Ezekiel 31:11 - I have driven Ezekiel 33:26 - and shall Hosea 9:3 - shall not Micah 2:10 - because

Verse 23

in the manners: Leviticus 18:3, Leviticus 18:24, Leviticus 18:30, Deuteronomy 12:30, Deuteronomy 12:31, Jeremiah 10:1, Jeremiah 10:2

therefore: Leviticus 18:27, Deuteronomy 9:5, Psalms 78:59, Zechariah 11:8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:11 - abhor Leviticus 26:30 - my soul Numbers 33:56 - General Deuteronomy 12:4 - General 1 Kings 21:26 - according to 2 Chronicles 33:2 - like unto Psalms 5:5 - thou Psalms 106:40 - insomuch Ezekiel 31:11 - I have driven

Verse 24

But I: Exodus 3:8, Exodus 3:17, Exodus 6:8

a land: Milk and honey were the chief dainties of the ancients as they are now among the Arabs, particularly the Bedouins. Hence not only the Hebrews, but also the Greeks and Romans, painted the highest pleasantness and fertility by an abundance of milk and honey. The image used in the text, and frequently by ancient authors on similar subjects, is a metaphor, derived from a breast, producing copious streams of milk.

which: Leviticus 20:26, Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Exodus 33:16, Numbers 23:9, Deuteronomy 7:6, Deuteronomy 14:2, 1 Kings 8:53, John 15:19, 2 Corinthians 6:17, 1 Peter 2:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:11 - honey Exodus 33:3 - a land Numbers 13:27 - General Numbers 16:14 - Moreover Numbers 35:34 - Defile not Deuteronomy 27:3 - a land 1 Samuel 8:20 - General Nehemiah 10:28 - all they Jeremiah 11:5 - a land Ezekiel 20:6 - flowing Romans 1:1 - separated

Verse 25

put difference: Leviticus 11:1-47, Deuteronomy 14:3-21, Acts 10:11-15, Acts 10:28, Ephesians 5:7-11

abominable: Leviticus 11:43

creepeth: or, moveth

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:14 - thou art Exodus 22:31 - neither Leviticus 10:10 - General Ezekiel 22:26 - put no Acts 10:14 - for

Verse 26

the Lord: Leviticus 20:7, Leviticus 19:2, Psalms 99:5, Psalms 99:9, Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 30:11, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 1:16, Revelation 3:7, Revelation 4:8

severed: Leviticus 20:24, Deuteronomy 7:6, Deuteronomy 14:2, Deuteronomy 26:18, Deuteronomy 26:19, Titus 2:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:5 - are mine Exodus 19:6 - and an Leviticus 10:10 - General Leviticus 11:44 - ye shall Numbers 6:2 - When Deuteronomy 18:10 - that useth divination Malachi 2:11 - profaned Matthew 5:48 - ye 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - sanctify

Verse 27

a familiar: Leviticus 20:6, Leviticus 19:31, Exodus 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, 1 Samuel 28:7-9

their blood: Leviticus 20:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:2 - the people Leviticus 24:14 - let all the Deuteronomy 13:10 - stone him 1 Samuel 15:23 - witchcraft 1 Samuel 28:3 - put away 2 Samuel 1:16 - Thy blood 2 Kings 23:24 - that he might Ezekiel 18:13 - blood Malachi 3:5 - the sorcerers