Leviticus 24:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} spake {H1696} to the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, that they should bring forth {H3318} him that had cursed {H7043} out {H2351} of the camp {H4264}, and stone {H7275} him with stones {H68}. And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did {H6213} as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Moshe spoke to the people of Isra'el, and they took the man who had cursed outside the camp and stoned him to death. Thus the people of Isra'el did as ADONAI had ordered Moshe. see readings for Parashah 41]

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him. So the Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses.

American Standard Version

And Moses spake to the children of Israel; and they brought forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stoned him with stones. And the children of Israel did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 24:23 serves as the climactic conclusion to the narrative of the blasphemer, detailing the swift and decisive execution of divine judgment. This verse underscores the absolute sanctity of God's Name, the severe consequences of profaning it, and the immediate, collective obedience of the Israelite community in upholding the divine command, thereby purifying the camp from defilement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the specific narrative initiated in [Leviticus 24:10](/leviticus/24-10 "Leviticus 24:10 - The Blasphemer's Origin"), which introduces a man of mixed Israelite and Egyptian parentage who "blasphemed the Name" and "cursed." Following this egregious act, the man was held in custody until a clear divine directive could be obtained ([Leviticus 24:11-12](/leviticus/24-11 "Leviticus 24:11-12 - The Blasphemer's Confinement")). The Lord's command, delivered to Moses, explicitly prescribed stoning outside the camp for blasphemy, alongside other judicial principles for capital offenses, including the "life for life" retribution for murder and injury ([Leviticus 24:17-22](/leviticus/24-17 "Leviticus 24:17-22 - Judicial Principles for Capital Offenses")). Thus, [Leviticus 24:23](/leviticus/24-23 "Leviticus 24:23 - The Execution of the Blasphemer") demonstrates the immediate and unwavering implementation of this newly established divine law, reinforcing the gravity of the transgression within the broader legal framework of the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [Leviticus 24](/leviticus/24 "Leviticus 24 - Laws for the Tabernacle and Blasphemy") unfold during Israel's encampment in the wilderness, shortly after the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a name often represented the essence and character of the person or deity. To "blaspheme the Name of the LORD" (YHWH) was not merely an insult but a direct, intentional assault on God's holy character, His covenant relationship with Israel, and His very authority. This act was a profound violation of the [Third Commandment](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment"), which strictly prohibits taking the Lord's Name in vain. Stoning, as a form of capital punishment, was a communal act in ancient Israel, symbolizing the entire community's rejection of the offender and their participation in removing defilement. The execution "outside the camp" further emphasized the need to purge impurity from the sacred space where God's presence dwelled, protecting the community from divine wrath and maintaining its holiness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _naqav'_):** The Hebrew word used here is נָקַב (nāqaḇ), which means "to pierce," "to bore," or "to specify by name." In the context of blasphemy, as seen in [Leviticus 24:11](/leviticus/24-11 "Leviticus 24:11 - The Blasphemer's Act"), it denotes a deliberate, explicit, and injurious utterance or pronouncement against God's holy Name. It implies a direct, pointed assault, as if "piercing" the very honor and character of God, distinguishing it from a more general curse (e.g., `qalal`). This specific term highlights the intentional and severe nature of the blasphemer's transgression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses spake to the children of Israel":** This phrase emphasizes that the command for execution was not a human decision but a divine mandate, communicated directly from the LORD through His chosen mediator, Moses. It highlights Moses' role as the authoritative channel for God's will to the entire community.
* **"that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp":** This clause details the initial step of the judgment: the physical removal of the offender. "Out of the camp" signifies expulsion from the consecrated community, symbolizing the removal of defilement and impurity from the midst of God's holy people. It underscores the communal responsibility to maintain ritual and moral purity.
* **"and stone him with stones":** This specifies the method of capital punishment. Stoning was a public, communal execution, where the entire assembly participated in carrying out the divine sentence. It served as a visible and visceral demonstration of the community's abhorrence of the sin, their collective rejection of the blasphemer, and their commitment to upholding God's righteous standards.
* **"And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses":** This concluding statement highlights the immediate, complete, and unified obedience of the entire Israelite nation. It signifies their acceptance of God's authority, their submission to His law, and their collective commitment to the covenant, demonstrating that the community prioritized God's holiness and justice above all else.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 24:23 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Narrative Progression** is evident as the verse brings the incident of the blasphemer to its swift and decisive conclusion, demonstrating the immediate application of divine law after its pronouncement. The phrase "And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses" functions as a **Formulaic Conclusion**, signaling the successful and complete execution of a divine directive, a common pattern in legal and narrative texts within the Pentateuch. **Symbolism** is profoundly present in the act of stoning "out of the camp," representing both the communal expulsion of defilement and the public condemnation of the sin, ensuring the purity of the holy community. The entire narrative, culminating in this verse, also serves as a **Case Law Example**, illustrating the concrete application of the broader principle of reverence for God's Name and the severe consequences for its profanation, thereby serving as a deterrent and an instruction for future generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully encapsulates several core theological truths: the absolute holiness of God, the gravity of sin against His divine character, and the necessity of communal obedience to maintain the purity of His covenant people. The execution of the blasphemer was not merely punitive but served as a profound object lesson in the sanctity of God's Name, demonstrating that any direct affront to His character demanded the most severe consequences. It underscored God's unwavering righteousness and His commitment to upholding His moral order within the covenant community, ensuring that His presence could remain among them.

* [Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment")
* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sin")
* [Deuteronomy 13:5](/deuteronomy/13-5 "Deuteronomy 13:5 - Removing Evil from the Midst")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While modern legal systems do not apply capital punishment for blasphemy, the underlying principles of profound respect, reverence, and awe for God remain eternally vital for believers. This passage calls us to a deep introspection regarding how we regard and use God's Name, urging us to avoid its casual, irreverent, or manipulative use. It reminds us that sin, particularly that which directly assaults God's holiness, carries serious consequences, both in this life and eternally, and that God's justice is an immutable aspect of His character. Furthermore, the collective obedience of the Israelites serves as a powerful model for the church today: to live lives that reflect God's holiness, to actively seek to remove spiritual defilement from our personal lives and communities, and to uphold God's revealed will with unwavering commitment. Our reverence for God should manifest not only in our words but also in our actions, reflecting His purity and righteousness in a world that often disregards Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of the punishment for blasphemy in this passage deepen your understanding of God's holiness and the sanctity of His Name?**
* **In what ways might we, as modern believers, inadvertently "take the Lord's Name in vain" or show irreverence towards God in our daily lives?**
* **What does the immediate and collective obedience of the Israelites teach us about the importance of communal accountability and purity within the church today?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God in our personal worship and communal gatherings?**

### FAQ

**Why was the punishment for blasphemy so severe in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The severity of the punishment for blasphemy (stoning to death) in ancient Israel stemmed from the profound understanding of God's absolute holiness and the unique nature of His covenant with Israel. In this context, God's Name represented His very essence, character, and authority. To blaspheme His Name was not merely an insult but a direct, intentional assault on God Himself, a rejection of His sovereignty, and a breach of the covenant ([Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment")). Such an act was considered an ultimate rebellion that could defile the entire community and jeopardize God's presence among His people. The punishment was therefore a necessary act of purification, removing the defilement and upholding the sanctity of the camp in the presence of a holy God ([Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - The Law for Blasphemy")).

**Does this passage apply to believers today, given that we are not under the Old Testament ceremonial law?**

Answer: While believers today are not under the Mosaic ceremonial or civil laws in the same way ancient Israel was, the underlying theological principles of [Leviticus 24:23](/leviticus/24-23 "Leviticus 24:23 - The Execution of the Blasphemer") remain profoundly relevant. The passage fundamentally teaches us about the absolute holiness of God, the gravity of sin, and the importance of reverence for His Name. Though the specific legal penalty of stoning for blasphemy is not applied in the New Covenant, the spiritual principle of holding God's Name in the highest esteem and avoiding any form of irreverence or profanity is still commanded ([Matthew 6:9](/matthew/6-9 "Matthew 6:9 - Hallowed Be Your Name"); [Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - Do All in the Name of the Lord Jesus")). We are called to live lives that honor God's Name and reflect His holiness, understanding that sin still has serious consequences, though now addressed through Christ's atoning sacrifice.

**What is the significance of stoning the blasphemer "out of the camp"?**

Answer: Stoning the blasphemer "out of the camp" held significant symbolic meaning. The Israelite camp was considered a holy space because God's presence dwelt within it, specifically in the Tabernacle. Anything that defiled this holy space, whether ritually or morally, had to be removed to maintain the community's purity and avoid divine wrath. Expelling the offender "out of the camp" before execution symbolized the complete removal of the defilement and the sinner from the consecrated community. It visually represented the community's rejection of the sin and the sinner, ensuring that the holiness of God's dwelling place was preserved and that the entire nation was protected from the consequences of the individual's transgression ([Numbers 5:2-3](/numbers/5-2 "Numbers 5:2-3 - Removing the Unclean from the Camp")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 24:23, with its stark depiction of judgment for blasphemy and the communal act of purification, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The blasphemer, cast "out of the camp" and bearing the curse of the community, foreshadows Christ, who was "brought outside the camp" of Jerusalem to suffer and die, bearing the curse of our sin upon Himself ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")). The severity of the punishment for profaning God's Name underscores the infinite holiness of God and the depth of human sin, which required a perfect sacrifice. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the ultimate substitute, taking upon Himself the curse and judgment that humanity deserved for its rebellion and desecration of God's holiness ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Through His atoning death, Christ effectively "purified the camp" of God's people, not by removing an individual sinner, but by removing the very sin that separates humanity from a holy God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"); [Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the terrifying justice of [Leviticus 24:23](/leviticus/24-23 "Leviticus 24:23 - The Execution of the Blasphemer") points to the glorious mercy found in Christ, who perfectly satisfied God's righteous demands and made a way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to the Holy One.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 2:2

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

Hebrews 2:3

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];

Leviticus 24:14

Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

Leviticus 24:16

And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death.

Hebrews 10:28

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Numbers 15:35

And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.