Leviticus 20:2

Punishments for Disobedience · Leviticus 20:1–9
Read Leviticus 20

Translations

Modern
“Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“And to the sons of Israel you shall say, ‘Any man of the sons of Israel or from the sojourner who is sojourning in Israel who gives of his seed to Molech, he must surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones.
Latin
Hæc loqueris filiis Israël: Homo de filiis Israël, et de advenis qui habitant in Israël, si quis dederit de semine suo idolo Moloch, morte moriatur: populus terræ lapidabit eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him.

Notes

The people of the land are to stone him: This was the usual method for carrying out the death penalty (see also Leviticus 20:27; 24:14, 16, 23; Exodus 19:13; Numbers 15:35–36; Deuteronomy 17:2–7; Joshua 7:25–26; John 8:1–11).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Community Identity

Parallels

Leviticus 26:14–39 Deuteronomy 28:15–68

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Molech: Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Criminal Law and Punishment Deuteronomy, Book of Execution Foreigner History of Israel Incest Leviticus, Book of Nations Offerings and Sacrifices Stoning

Topics

Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Human Sacrifices Molech: See Offerings: Human Sacrifices: Forbidden Punishment: Death Penalty for offering Human Sacrifice Punishment: Death Penalty: Stoning Punishments: Strangers not Exempted From Sanitation: Uncleanness Stoning to Death Strangers in Israel: Laws Respecting: Not to Practise Idolatrous Rites