Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 20:27
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, etc.] Or the spirit of Python or divination, (see <031931>Leviticus 19:31); such as the damsel had in (<441616>Acts 16:16); a woman is here particularly mentioned, though before included in the above law; because, as Aben Ezra says, such sort of practices were more frequently committed by women; to which Maimonides f729 adds another reason, because men have a natural clemency towards the female sex, and are not easily prevailed upon to put them to death; therefore the law says, “thou shall not suffer a witch to live”, (<022218>Exodus 22:18); or that is a wizard; a knowing one, who pretends to a great deal of knowledge of things; as of lost or stolen goods, and even knowledge of things future, and imposes upon persons, and cheats them of their money they give for information: such shall surely be put to death: and not spared through favour and affection: the death they are to be put to follows: they shall stone them with stones; until they are dead; of the manner of stoning, (see Gill on “<440758>Acts 7:58”); their blood [shall be] upon them: they are worthy of death, and they shall suffer it: this phrase following upon the former, the Jews f730 gather from hence, that, wherever it is used, it is to be understood of stoning; (see Gill on “<032009>Leviticus 20:9”).
How to use this source
This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.
