LEVITICUS 20. A second list of the crimes catalogued in Leviticus 18, together with the penalties for them, and a final appeal. The special interest of the chapter lies in the variations of penalty assigned; but the real sanction of such prohibitions as these lies in the popular horror with which th... [ Continue Reading ]
WORSHIP OF MOLECH, ETC. Offering children to Molech (see Leviticus 18:21 *) is to be punished by stoning; such a death emphasizes the repudiation by the whole community and involves everyone in the act, always serious, of killing a fellow-tribesman (_cf._ Joshua 7:25). Yahweh Himself will see that t... [ Continue Reading ]
PENALTIES FOR SEXUAL SINS generally death, the manner being unspecified. Adultery, incest, sodomy head the list; the special case of Leviticus 20:14 (contrast Amos 2:7) is followed by the burning of all three persons (_cf._ Leviticus 21:9). Special enormity (RVm) requires special penalty. Bestiality... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FINAL APPEAL, emphasizing the motive of separation from the customs of the original inhabitants, complementary to that of fear of defilement (Leviticus 18:30). Refusal to make the due distinction between clean and unclean here singled out as typical of full observance entails expulsion by, as we... [ Continue Reading ]
LEVITICUS 20:27. This warning against witchcraft should properly follow Leviticus 20:6 (_cf. Leviticus 19:31_).... [ Continue Reading ]