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Leviticus 20:1

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 20:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 20:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
2Moreover, 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 of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
3I also will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
4And if the people at the land do at all hide their eyes from that man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and put him not to death;
← Leviticus 19:37Leviticus 20:2 →
← Full Chapter 20 Leviticus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the Lord spake unto Moses, etc.] After he had delivered the above laws to him in the preceding chapter, he added penalties, to many of them, or declared what punishment should be inflicted on the transgressors of them: saying; as follows.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“GIVING ONE'S SEED TO MOLECH. (Lev. 20:1-27) Whosoever . . . giveth any of his seed unto Molech--(See on Lev 18:21). the people of the land shall stone him with stones, &c.--Criminals who were condemned to be stoned were led, with their hands bound, without the gates to a small eminence, where was a large stone placed at the bottom. When they had approached within ten cubits of the spot, they were exhorted to confess, that, by faith and repentance, their souls might be saved. When led forward to within four cubits, they were stripped almost naked, and received some stupefying draught, during which the witnesses prepared, by laying aside their outer garments, to carry into execution the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The crimes which are condemned in Leviticus 18:0; Leviticus 19:0 on purely spiritual ground, have here special punishments allotted to them as offences against the well-being of the nation. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Punishments for the Vices and crimes Prohibited in Ch. 18 and 19. - The list commences with idolatry and soothsaying, which were to be followed by extermination, as a practical apostasy from Jehovah, and a manifest breach of the covenant. Leviticus 20:2”
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Related study paths

Read Leviticus 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification