Leviticus 24:14

Punishment for Blasphemy · Leviticus 24:10–16
Read Leviticus 24

Translations

Modern
“Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have the whole assembly stone him.
Traditional
Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
Literal
“Take him who has cursed to the outside of the camp, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
Latin
…dicens: Educ blasphemum extra castra, et ponant omnes qui audierunt, manus suas super caput ejus, et lapidet eum populus universus.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have the whole assembly stone him.

Notes

Those who heard someone curse against God had to lay their hands on his head. This act showed their innocence by symbolically transferring the guilt (see Leviticus 16:21). It also showed their willingness to take responsibility for the person's death. A single witness was not enough to sentence someone to death (see Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:2–7; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28).

A large group of non-Israelites, including other Semitic people and Egyptians, left Egypt with the Israelites (Exodus 12:38). Among them was a man with an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father. A fight broke out between this man and a full-blooded Israelite. the man who was half-Egyptian verbally cursed the Israelite, using the name of God in a disrespectful manner.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Ancient Law Codes

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Blasphemy Courts and Trials Criminal Law and Punishment Curse, Cursed Deuteronomy, Book of God, Names of History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Naboth Shelomith

Topics

Blasphemy: General Scriptures Concerning Blasphemy: The Depraved Son of Shelomith, Who, in an Altercation with an Israelite, Cursed God Church: Called the Congregation in the O. T. (K. J. V. And Others) Courts of Justice: The Accused: Witnesses Sometimes Laid Their Hands on the Criminal's Head Evidence: Laws Concerning Hand in Solemnizing Testimony Punishment: Death Penalty for Blasphemy Punishment: Death Penalty: Stoning Punishments: Capital Kinds of Stoning Trial: Before Court Witness by Laying Hands on the Accused