Leviticus 20:5

Authorized King James Version

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Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.

Original Language Analysis

וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י Then I will set H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י Then I will set
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 1 of 18
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֲנִ֧י H589
אֲנִ֧י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 2 of 18
i
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פָּנַ֛י my face H6440
פָּנַ֛י my face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 4 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בָּאִ֥ישׁ against that man H376
בָּאִ֥ישׁ against that man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 5 of 18
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)
הַה֖וּא H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 6 of 18
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
וּבְמִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑וֹ and against his family H4940
וּבְמִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑וֹ and against his family
Strong's: H4940
Word #: 7 of 18
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
וְהִכְרַתִּ֨י and will cut him off H3772
וְהִכְרַתִּ֨י and will cut him off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 8 of 18
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
אֹת֜וֹ H853
אֹת֜וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֵ֣ת׀ H853
וְאֵ֣ת׀
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 11 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לִזְנ֛וֹת and all that go a whoring H2181
לִזְנ֛וֹת and all that go a whoring
Strong's: H2181
Word #: 12 of 18
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י after H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 13 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
לִזְנ֛וֹת and all that go a whoring H2181
לִזְנ֛וֹת and all that go a whoring
Strong's: H2181
Word #: 14 of 18
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י after H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 15 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַמֹּ֖לֶךְ with Molech H4432
הַמֹּ֖לֶךְ with Molech
Strong's: H4432
Word #: 16 of 18
molek (i.e., king), the chief deity of the ammonites
מִקֶּ֥רֶב from among H7130
מִקֶּ֥רֶב from among
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 17 of 18
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
עַמָּֽם׃ their people H5971
עַמָּֽם׃ their people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 18 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis & Commentary

Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.

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 access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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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