Leviticus 20:2

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#2
מִבְּנֵ֨י
H1121
he be of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
H3478
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#4
תֹּאמַר֒
H559
Again thou shalt say
to say (used with great latitude)
#5
אִישׁ֩
H376
Whosoever
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#6
אִישׁ֩
H376
Whosoever
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#7
מִבְּנֵ֨י
H1121
he be of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#8
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
H3478
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
וּמִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#10
הַגֵּ֣ר׀
H1616
or of the strangers
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
#11
הַגָּ֣ר
H1481
that sojourn
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
#12
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
H3478
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#13
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#14
יִתֵּ֧ן
H5414
that giveth
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#15
מִזַּרְע֛וֹ
H2233
any of his seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#16
לַמֹּ֖לֶךְ
H4432
unto Molech
molek (i.e., king), the chief deity of the ammonites
#17
יוּמָ֑ת
H4191
be put to death
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#18
יוּמָ֑ת
H4191
be put to death
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#19
עַ֥ם
H5971
the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#20
הָאָ֖רֶץ
H776
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#21
יִרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ
H7275
shall stone
to cast together (stones), i.e., to lapidate
#22
בָאָֽבֶן׃
H68
him with stones
a stone

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Leviticus. The concept of covenant community reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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