Leviticus 20:3

Authorized King James Version

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And I 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.

Original Language Analysis

וַֽאֲנִ֞י H589
וַֽאֲנִ֞י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 1 of 22
i
נָתַ֣ן And I will set H5414
נָתַ֣ן And I will set
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 2 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פָּנַי֙ my face H6440
פָּנַי֙ my face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 4 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בָּאִ֣ישׁ against that man H376
בָּאִ֣ישׁ against that man
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)
הַה֔וּא H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 6 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י and will cut him off H3772
וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י and will cut him off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 7 of 22
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֹת֖וֹ H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִקֶּ֣רֶב from among H7130
מִקֶּ֣רֶב from among
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 9 of 22
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
עַמּ֑וֹ his people H5971
עַמּ֑וֹ his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 10 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִזַּרְעוֹ֙ of his seed H2233
מִזַּרְעוֹ֙ of his seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 12 of 22
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
נָתַ֣ן And I will set H5414
נָתַ֣ן And I will set
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 13 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַמֹּ֔לֶךְ unto Molech H4432
לַמֹּ֔לֶךְ unto Molech
Strong's: H4432
Word #: 14 of 22
molek (i.e., king), the chief deity of the ammonites
לְמַ֗עַן H4616
לְמַ֗עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 15 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
טַמֵּא֙ to defile H2930
טַמֵּא֙ to defile
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 16 of 22
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 17 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִקְדָּשִׁ֔י my sanctuary H4720
מִקְדָּשִׁ֔י my sanctuary
Strong's: H4720
Word #: 18 of 22
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
וּלְחַלֵּ֖ל and to profane H2490
וּלְחַלֵּ֖ל and to profane
Strong's: H2490
Word #: 19 of 22
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 20 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שֵׁ֥ם name H8034
שֵׁ֥ם name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 21 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
קָדְשִֽׁי׃ my holy H6944
קָדְשִֽׁי׃ my holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 22 of 22
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Analysis & Commentary

And I 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.

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.

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

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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