Leviticus 24:23

Authorized King James Version

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And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר spake H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 1 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ And Moses H4872
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ And Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 2 of 22
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 22
near, with or among; often in general, to
וּבְנֵֽי And the children H1121
וּבְנֵֽי And the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 4 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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ that they should bring forth H3318
וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ that they should bring forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 6 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל him that had cursed H7043
הַֽמְקַלֵּ֗ל him that had cursed
Strong's: H7043
Word #: 8 of 22
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 22
near, with or among; often in general, to
מִחוּץ֙ out H2351
מִחוּץ֙ out
Strong's: H2351
Word #: 10 of 22
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה of the camp H4264
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה of the camp
Strong's: H4264
Word #: 11 of 22
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ and stone H7275
וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ and stone
Strong's: H7275
Word #: 12 of 22
to cast together (stones), i.e., to lapidate
אֹת֖וֹ H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָ֑בֶן him with stones H68
אָ֑בֶן him with stones
Strong's: H68
Word #: 14 of 22
a stone
וּבְנֵֽי And the children H1121
וּבְנֵֽי And the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 15 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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 16 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עָשׂ֔וּ did H6213
עָשׂ֔וּ did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 17 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 18 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוָּ֥ה commanded H6680
צִוָּ֥ה commanded
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 19 of 22
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 20 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 21 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ And Moses H4872
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ And Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 22 of 22
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

Analysis & Commentary

And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

This verse falls within the section on Oil, Bread, and Blasphemy. Instructions for tabernacle maintenance and the account of a blasphemer's punishment, showing reverence for God's name.


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

Historical Context

Instructions for tabernacle maintenance and the account of a blasphemer's punishment, showing reverence for God's name. 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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