Leviticus 20:16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Leviticus 20:1-27

4. Punishments for serious crimes ch. 20The preceding two chapters specify correct behavior. This one sets forth the punishments for disobedience. Chapters 18-19 already discussed most of the subjects dealt with in this chapter."The difference between the laws in this chapter and previous ones lies in their form. Those in chs. 18-19 are apodictic in form; that is, they forbid or command certain types of behavior but they rarely indicate what the consequences of disregarding these rules would... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Leviticus 20:9-21

Cursing parents was also punishable by stoning.Stoning ". . . was the usual punishment appointed in the law for cases in which death was inflicted . . ." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 2:426.] Several sexual sins described here drew this penalty. The law banned the marital unions alluded to in Leviticus 20:14; Leviticus 20:17; Leviticus 20:21. Consequently these verses may be referring to common law marriages in which people lived together as husband and wife without a wedding ceremony. [Note:... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 20:1-27

Penalties attached to the Sins specified above1-5. See Leviticus 18:21 and note.6. See Leviticus 19:31.9. See Exodus 21:17.19-21. See Leviticus 18:6-23.27. See Leviticus 19:31. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Leviticus 20:15-16

(15, 16) with a beast.—See Leviticus 18:23. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Leviticus 20:1-27

The Limitations of the Dwarf Leviticus 20:21 Under the old Hebrew priesthood the dwarf, while permitted to partake of the holy bread, was restrained from offering it to others. He was not to blame for being a dwarf, but only men without blemish, and who had the full measure of manly power, were permitted to exercise the functions of that holy office. I. It is the bitterest sorrow of weakness that a man cannot render aid to the helpless. And in the higher realm the sorest pang that a man can... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-27

PENAL SANCTIONSLeviticus 20:1-27In no age or community has it been found sufficient, to secure obedience, that one should appeal to the conscience of men, or depend, as a sufficient motive, upon the natural painful consequences of violated law. Wherever there is civil and criminal law, there, in all cases, human government, whether in its lowest or in its most highly developed forms, has found it necessary to declare penalties for various crimes. It is the peculiar interest of this chapter that... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Leviticus 20:1-27

3. Warnings Against Special Sins and their Penalties CHAPTER 20 1. Warning against Molech--worship and familiar spirits (Leviticus 20:1-8 ) 2. Warning against cursing parents (Leviticus 20:9 ) 3. Criminal and vile connections (Leviticus 20:10-21 ) 4. Exhortations to obedience and separation (Leviticus 20:22-27 ) This chapter reveals the justice of God in dealing with criminals. The death penalty is most prominent. It is pronounced upon the following crimes: Molech worship; dealing... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 20:1-27

PENALTIES FOR SIN GODWARD (vv. 1-8) Chapter 19 has given many laws forbidding sin; now chapter 20 shows that law, when it is broken, demands certain penalties. These penalties were to be executed as soon as the offender's guilt was established. There were no long drawn out court cases and no appeals after one was proven guilty. Even in the days of Solomon Israel had failed to carry out these penalties promptly, so that Ecclesiastes 8:11 tells us, “Because the sentence against an evil work is... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-27

PENALTIES FOR PEOPLE AND PRIESTS The twentieth chapter is of deep interest as showing what infinite wisdom and love has considered a just punishment for certain crimes. These crimes are still committed in civilized communities but a different view of their treatment seems to exist. Are human governments in modern times wiser and better than this theocracy where Jehovah ruled? Why does not this code obtain in Christian nations, since God has revealed it and such nations are supposed to... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Leviticus 20:10-20

What is here rehearsed concerning uncleanness, every Christian reader may say, as the apostle, of such horrible corruptions in general, let it not be once named among you as becometh saints. Ephesians 5:3 . Reader! what a humiliating thought is it, that our nature should be capable of such detestable bestiality as is here mentioned! To what a degraded state are we fallen! And observe what is said concerning such things, a man shall bear his iniquity. Gracious GOD had this been our doom forever;... read more

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