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Commentary on Leviticus 20 verses 1–9
Moses is here directed to say that again to the children of Israel which he had in effect said before, Lev 20:2. We are sure it was no vain repetition, but very necessary, that they might give the more earnest heed to the things that were spoken, and might believe them to be of great consequence, being so often inculcated. God speaketh once, yea, twice, and what he orders to be said again we must be willing to hear again, because for us it is safe, Phi 3:1.
I. Three sins are in these verses threatened with death: -
1.Parents abusing their children, by sacrificing them to Moloch, Lev 20:2, Lev 20:3. There is the grossest absurdity that can be in all the rites of idolatry, and they are all a great reproach to men's reason; but none trampled upon all the honours of human nature as this did, the burning of children in the fire to the honour of a dunghill-god. It was a plain evidence that their gods were devils, who desired and delighted in the misery and ruin of mankind, and that the worshippers were worse than the beasts that perish, perfectly stripped, not only of reason, but of natural affection. Abraham's offering Isaac could not give countenance, much less could it give rise to this barbarous practice, since, though that was commanded, it was immediately countermanded. Yet such was the power of the god of this world over the children of disobedience that this monstrous piece of inhumanity was generally practised; and even the Israelites were in danger of being drawn into it, which made it necessary that this severe law should be made against it. It was not enough to tell them they might spare their children (the fruit of their body should never be accepted for the sin of their soul), but they must be told, (1.) That the criminal himself should be put to death as a murderer: The people of the land shall stone him with stones (Lev 20:2), which was looked upon as the worst of capital punishments among the Jews. If the children were sacrificed to the malice of the devil, the parents must be sacrificed to the justice of God. And, if either the fact could not be proved or the magistrates did not do their duty, God would take the work into his own hands: I will cut him off, Lev 20:3. Note, Those that escape punishment from men, yet shall not escape the righteous judgments of God; so wretchedly do those deceive themselves that promise themselves impunity in sin. How can those escape against whom God sets his face, that is, whom he frowns upon, meets as an enemy, and fights against? The heinousness of the crime is here set forth to justify the doom: it defiles the sanctuary, and profanes the holy name of God, for the honour of both which he is jealous. Observe, The malignity of the sin is laid upon that in it which was peculiar to Israel. When the Gentiles sacrificed their children they were guilty of murder and idolatry; but, if the Israelites did it, they incurred the additional guilt of defiling the sanctuary (which they attended upon even when they lay under this guilt, as if there might be an agreement between the temple of God and idols), and of profaning the holy name of God, by which they were called, as if he allowed his worshippers to do such things, Rom 2:23, Rom 2:24. (2.) That all his aiders and abetters should be cut off likewise by the righteous hand of God. If his neighbours concealed him, and would not come in as witnesses against him, - if the magistrates connived at him, and would not pass sentence upon him, rather pitying his folly than hating his impiety, - God himself would reckon with them, Lev 20:4, Lev 20:5. Misprision of idolatry is a crime cognizable in the court of heaven, and which shall not go unpunished: I will set my face against that man (that magistrate, Jer 5:1) and against his family. Note, [1.] The wickedness of the master of a family often brings ruin upon a family; and he that should be the house-keeper proves the house-breaker. [2.] If magistrates will not do justice upon offenders, God will do justice upon them, because there is danger that many will go a whoring after those who do but countenance sin by winking at it. And, if the sins of leaders be leading sins, it is fit that their punishments should be exemplary punishments.
2.Children's abusing their parents, by cursing them, Lev 20:9. If children should speak ill of their parents, or wish ill to them, or carry it scornfully or spitefully towards them, it was an iniquity to be punished by the judges, who were employed as conservators both of God's honour and of the public peace, which were both attacked by this unnatural insolence. See Pro 30:17, The eye that mocks at his father the ravens of the valley shall pick out, which intimates that such wicked children were in a fair way to be not only hanged, but hanged in chains. This law of Moses Christ quotes and confirms (Mat 15:4), for it is as direct a breach of the fifth commandment as wilful murder is of the sixth. The same law which requires parents to be tender of their children requires children to be respectful to their parents. He that despitefully uses his parents, the instruments of his being, flies in the face of God himself, the author of his being, who will not see the paternal dignity and authority insulted and trampled upon.
3.Persons abusing themselves by consulting such as have familiar spirits, Lev 20:6. By this, as much as any thing, a man diminishes, disparages, and deceives himself, and so abuses himself. What greater madness can there be than for a man to go to a liar for information, and to an enemy for advice? Those do so who turn after those that deal in the black art, and know the depths of Satan. This is spiritual adultery as much as idolatry is, giving that honour to the devil which is due to God only; and the jealous God will give a bill of divorce to those that thus go a whoring from him, and will cut them off, they having first cut themselves off from him.
II. In the midst of these particular laws comes in that general charge, Lev 20:7, Lev 20:8, where we have,
1.The duties required; and they are two: - (1.) That in our principles, affections, and aims, we be holy: Sanctify yourselves and be you holy. We must cleanse ourselves from all the pollutions of sin, consecrate ourselves to the service and honour of God, and conform ourselves in every thing to his holy will and image: this is to sanctify ourselves. (2.) That in all our actions, and in the whole course of our conversation, we be obedient to the laws of God: You shall keep my statutes. By this only can we make it to appear that we have sanctified ourselves and are holy, even by our keeping God's commandments; the tree is known by its fruit. Nor can we keep God's statutes, as we ought, unless we first sanctify ourselves, and be holy. Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good.
2.The reasons to enforce these duties. (1.) "I am the Lord your God; therefore be holy, that you may resemble him whose people you are, and may be pleasing to him. Holiness becomes his house and household." (2.) I am the Lord who sanctifieth you. God sanctified them by peculiar privileges, laws, and favours, which distinguished them from all other nations, and dignified them as a people set apart for God. He gave them his word and ordinances to be means of their sanctification, and his good Spirit to instruct them; therefore they must be holy, else they received the grace of God herein in vain. Note, [1.] God's people are, and must be, persons of distinction. God has distinguished them by his holy covenant, and therefore they ought to distinguish themselves by their holy conversation. [2.] God's sanctifying us is a good reason why we should sanctify ourselves, that we may comply with the designs of his grace, and not walk contrary to them. If it be the Lord that sanctifies us, we may hope the work shall be done, though it be difficult: the manner of expression is like that, Co2 5:5, He that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God. And his grace is so far from superseding our care and endeavour that it most strongly engages and encourages them. Work out your salvation, for it is God that worketh in you.
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SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:6 issues a severe divine injunction against any individual who turns to familiar spirits or wizards, practices deeply rooted in necromancy and divination, which were rampant among the pagan nations surrounding Israel. This verse powerfully articulates the absolute necessity of exclusive devotion to Yahweh, portraying any deviation to forbidden spiritual sources as a profound act of spiritual adultery. God's response to such infidelity is a resolute and personal judgment, declaring, "I will even set my face against that soul," and promising to "cut him off from among his people," signifying excommunication, divine opposition, and potentially premature death, thereby safeguarding the holiness and integrity of the covenant community.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Leviticus 20 stands as a crucial segment of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), meticulously outlining the practical implications of Israel's divine mandate to embody holiness, mirroring the very nature of Yahweh. Building upon the foundational principles of holiness established in Leviticus 19, Chapter 20 systematically enumerates a series of capital offenses and their prescribed punishments, underscoring the stringent purity required within the covenant community. The chapter commences with the abhorrent prohibition against child sacrifice to Molech (Leviticus 20:1-5), transitions through various forms of sexual immorality and incest (Leviticus 20:10-21), and culminates with a renewed, emphatic call to holiness and separation from the defiling practices of the surrounding nations (Leviticus 20:22-27). Verse 6, specifically, addresses the grave sin of consulting mediums and sorcerers, placing it alongside other egregious offenses that defile both the land and the people, thereby necessitating a swift and decisive divine response to maintain the sanctity and spiritual purity of the nation.
Historical & Cultural Context: Societies throughout the Ancient Near East were deeply enmeshed in a wide array of divination, magic, and spiritism. Practices such as necromancy (consulting the dead), astrology, augury (interpreting omens), and various forms of sorcery were ubiquitous methods through which people sought to acquire hidden knowledge, influence events, or discern the future. The Canaanites, in particular, were notorious for their engagement in these practices, often integrating them directly into their polytheistic worship systems. For Israel, Yahweh's explicit command to be a "holy nation" (Exodus 19:6) demanded a radical and unequivocal distinction from these pervasive pagan customs. Engaging with "familiar spirits" (mediums) or "wizards" was not merely a superstitious act; it constituted a direct and profound betrayal of the covenant with Yahweh, who alone is the supreme source of all true knowledge, power, and divine guidance. Such practices implicitly denied God's absolute sovereignty and His perfect sufficiency, seeking wisdom and power from demonic or humanly manipulated sources, thereby constituting a severe spiritual breach. This stringent prohibition served as a vital bulwark, protecting Israel's unique and intimate relationship with God and preventing the spiritual syncretism that plagued the surrounding nations.
Key Themes: Leviticus 20:6 significantly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the Holiness Code and the broader book of Leviticus. Foremost among these is the theme of Holiness and Purity, emphasizing that Israel's identity as God's chosen people is inextricably linked to their separation from all forms of defilement, particularly spiritual defilement. The prohibition against familiar spirits and wizards underscores the necessity of Exclusive Devotion to Yahweh, asserting God's sole authority as the source of truth and power, thereby condemning any spiritual practice that seeks to bypass or supplement Him. This relates directly to the theme of Covenant Fidelity, where engaging in forbidden spiritual practices is depicted as "going a whoring," a powerful metaphor for spiritual adultery that violates the sacred marriage covenant between God and Israel. Finally, the severe consequence of being "cut off" highlights the theme of Divine Justice and Judgment, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to maintaining the purity of His people and His willingness to decisively remove those who persistently undermine the covenant's integrity, ensuring the community's continued sanctity as outlined in Leviticus 20:26.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:6 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with profound force and clarity. The most prominent is Metaphor, specifically the striking use of "to go a whoring after them." This vivid imagery of spiritual prostitution powerfully communicates the depth of betrayal involved in seeking forbidden spiritual guidance. It likens the sacred covenant relationship between God and Israel to a marriage, where absolute fidelity is paramount, and any deviation or pursuit of other spiritual allegiances is an act of profound adultery. This metaphor elevates the sin from mere superstition to a grave act of unfaithfulness against the divine Bridegroom. Anthropomorphism is also clearly evident in the phrase "I will even set my face against that soul." Attributing a human characteristic (a face, and the deliberate act of setting it) to God emphasizes His personal, direct, and unwavering opposition to the transgressor. It conveys a sense of divine resolve, active judgment, and the inescapable nature of the consequence. Furthermore, the stark contrast between God's holiness and the defilement of occult practices, coupled with the absolute severity of the punishment ("cut him off"), functions as a form of Hyperbole or extreme language. This underscores the absolute seriousness of the offense and the non-negotiable nature of God's demand for exclusive devotion from His covenant people.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:6 profoundly underscores the theological principle of God's absolute sovereignty and His unyielding demand for exclusive worship and devotion. To turn to familiar spirits or wizards is to deny God's sufficiency as the sole, supreme source of wisdom, power, and guidance. It represents a fundamental and egregious breach of the covenant, substituting divine revelation and provision with human or demonic manipulation, and thus constitutes a grave form of spiritual idolatry. This verse highlights that true holiness requires not only abstaining from overt pagan practices but also maintaining an undivided heart toward Yahweh, trusting Him alone for all needs and knowledge. The severity of the punishment emphasizes that such spiritual infidelity threatens the very fabric and integrity of the covenant community, necessitating decisive divine intervention to preserve its purity and its unique relationship with a holy God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 20:6 serves as a timeless and potent warning against seeking guidance, power, or knowledge from any source other than God Himself. While the specific practices of "familiar spirits" and "wizards" might appear archaic, the underlying principle remains profoundly relevant for believers today. In contemporary society, this spiritual deviation can manifest in various subtle or overt forms, such as consulting psychics, astrologers, or mediums; engaging with New Age spiritualities that promise hidden knowledge or personal empowerment outside of Christ; or even placing ultimate trust in human wisdom, scientific advancement, or political ideologies above divine revelation. The call to "not go a whoring" after these things is a radical summons to absolute spiritual fidelity to God alone. It challenges believers to deeply examine where they truly place their trust and from whom they seek their ultimate answers. Our reliance should be solely on God's infallible Word (Psalm 119:105) and the unerring guidance of the Holy Spirit, recognizing that any deviation constitutes a form of spiritual rebellion that invites divine opposition. This verse powerfully reminds us that genuine faith demands exclusive devotion and that God's "face" is resolutely set against anything that competes for the worship and trust due to Him alone.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "familiar spirits" mean in this context?
Answer: In Leviticus 20:6, "familiar spirits" translates the Hebrew word ʾôḇ (H178), which refers to a medium or necromancer. These individuals claimed to possess the ability to communicate with the dead or with other spirits, often with the aim of gaining hidden knowledge, predicting the future, or influencing events. Such practices were strictly forbidden by God for Israel, as they represented a direct turning away from Him as the sole, sufficient source of truth and guidance, and frequently involved demonic influence and deception.
Why was engaging with familiar spirits and wizards considered such a severe sin?
Answer: Engaging with familiar spirits and wizards was considered an exceptionally grave sin for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it constituted a direct act of spiritual infidelity, powerfully described as "going a whoring" after them, which signified a profound betrayal of Israel's exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. Secondly, it fundamentally denied God's absolute sovereignty and sufficiency, as it involved seeking knowledge and power from forbidden sources rather than trusting in God alone for all wisdom and provision. Thirdly, these practices were deeply embedded in the idolatrous and often abhorrent rituals of pagan nations, from which Israel was explicitly commanded to be distinct and holy (Leviticus 20:23). Finally, it opened the door to demonic deception, spiritual defilement, and moral corruption, thereby threatening the spiritual purity and integrity of the entire covenant community, which God sought to preserve as a witness to His holiness.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 20:6, with its stern prohibition against spiritual infidelity and its severe consequences, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's relentless call for exclusive devotion to Yahweh, free from the defilement of false gods and occult practices, points forward to the singular, perfect, and all-sufficient mediation of Christ. Humanity's inherent tendency to "go a whoring" after anything but God—whether through overt idolatry, occult practices, or simply self-reliance and humanistic philosophies—is a profound testament to our fallen nature and desperate need for redemption. Jesus, as the true and faithful Bridegroom (Ephesians 5:25-27), perfectly embodies the exclusive devotion God demands. He is the ultimate and complete revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1-3), rendering all other sources of spiritual knowledge, power, or guidance obsolete and illegitimate. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ not only cleanses believers from the spiritual "whoredom" of sin but also perfectly reconciles us to God, establishing a new covenant relationship characterized by grace, truth, and genuine intimacy. The judgment of being "cut off" for spiritual unfaithfulness in the Old Covenant foreshadows the eternal separation from God that awaits those who reject Christ, who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). In Christ, believers are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to walk in unwavering fidelity, seeking all wisdom and guidance directly from Him, no longer needing to turn to forbidden or insufficient sources, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).