Leviticus 24:14

“Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp, etc.] To show that he had no part nor lot in Israel, and that he was unworthy to be a member of their civil community, or of their church state; and, besides, the place of stoning, or where malefactors suffered any kind of death, was without the camp, as afterwards without the city, (see <581312>Hebrews 13:12,13); let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head; the Targum of Jonathan adds, “and the judges;” so Jarchi remarks, that they that “heard him” are the witnesses, and the word “all” comprehends the judges: Maimonides says f851 the same, and observes that hands were laid on no malefactor but the blasphemer; and this was done to…”

“Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp--All executions took place without the camp; and this arrangement probably originated in the idea that, as the Israelites were to be "a holy people" [Deu 7:6; Deu 14:2, Deu 14:21; Deu 26:19; Deu 28:9], all flagrant offenders should be thrust out of their society. let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, &c.--The imposition of hands formed a public and solemn testimony against the crime, and at the same time made the punishment legal.”

“Lay their hands upon his head - As a protest against the impiety of the criminal, symbolically laying the guilt upon his head. Compare the washing of hands, Deuteronomy 21:6; Matthew 27:24. Let all the congregation stone him - See Leviticus 20:2 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Lay their hands upon his head - Whereby they gave public testimony that they heard this person speak such words, and did in their own and all the peoples names, demand justice to be executed upon him, that by this sacrifice God might be appeased, and his judgments turned away from the people, upon whom they would certainly fall if he were unpunished. Stone him - The same punishment which was before appointed for those who cursed their parents. Leviticus 24:15”

“24:14 Those who heard a blasphemer curse were to lay their hands on his head. This indicated their own innocence by symbolically transferring the guilt (see 16:21), as well as their willingness to accept responsibility for the blasphemer’s death. A single witness was not enough to cause a man to die (see Num 35:30; Deut 17:2-7; Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19; Heb 10:28).”

“without: Lev 13:46; Num 5:2-4, Num 15:35 all that: Deu 13:9, Deu 17:7 let all the: Lev 20:2, Lev 20:27; Num 15:35, Num 15:36; Deu 13:10, Deu 21:21, Deu 22:21; Jos 7:25; Joh 8:59; Joh 10:31-33; Act 7:58, Act 7:59 Leviticus 24:15”