Leviticus 20:2

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְאֶל H413
וְאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 1 of 22
near, with or among; often in general, to
מִבְּנֵ֨י he be of the children H1121
מִבְּנֵ֨י he be of the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 2 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 3 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
תֹּאמַר֒ Again thou shalt say H559
תֹּאמַר֒ Again thou shalt say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 4 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
אִישׁ֩ Whosoever H376
אִישׁ֩ Whosoever
Strong's: H376
Word #: 5 of 22
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)
אִישׁ֩ Whosoever H376
אִישׁ֩ Whosoever
Strong's: H376
Word #: 6 of 22
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)
מִבְּנֵ֨י he be of the children H1121
מִבְּנֵ֨י he be of the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 7 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 8 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּמִן H4480
וּמִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 9 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַגֵּ֣ר׀ or of the strangers H1616
הַגֵּ֣ר׀ or of the strangers
Strong's: H1616
Word #: 10 of 22
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
הַגָּ֣ר that sojourn H1481
הַגָּ֣ר that sojourn
Strong's: H1481
Word #: 11 of 22
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);
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 13 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִתֵּ֧ן that giveth H5414
יִתֵּ֧ן that giveth
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 14 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מִזַּרְע֛וֹ any of his seed H2233
מִזַּרְע֛וֹ any of his seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 15 of 22
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
לַמֹּ֖לֶךְ unto Molech H4432
לַמֹּ֖לֶךְ unto Molech
Strong's: H4432
Word #: 16 of 22
molek (i.e., king), the chief deity of the ammonites
יוּמָ֑ת be put to death H4191
יוּמָ֑ת be put to death
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 17 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יוּמָ֑ת be put to death H4191
יוּמָ֑ת be put to death
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 18 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
עַ֥ם the people H5971
עַ֥ם the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 19 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הָאָ֖רֶץ of the land H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ of the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 20 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יִרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ shall stone H7275
יִרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ shall stone
Strong's: H7275
Word #: 21 of 22
to cast together (stones), i.e., to lapidate
בָאָֽבֶן׃ him with stones H68
בָאָֽבֶן׃ him with stones
Strong's: H68
Word #: 22 of 22
a stone

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse falls within the section on Penalties for Disobedience. Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community.


Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

Historical Context

Punishments for violations of sexual and religious laws, emphasizing the seriousness of sin in God's holy community. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Questions for Reflection

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