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Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Leviticus 20:4

(4) And if the people of the land . . . —In the former verse the Legislator treated of cases where there was insufficient evidence. Here he declares what God would do if the community itself, whose duty it is to execute the sentence, either from culpable indifference or criminal sympathy with the sin, connive at it. 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Leviticus 20:2

20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever [he be] of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth [any] of his seed unto {a} Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.(a) By Molech he means any type of idol, Leviticus 18:21 read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Leviticus 20:3

20:3 And I will {b} set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.(b) Read Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 18:21. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Leviticus 20:4

20:4 And if the {c} people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:(c) Though the people be negligent to do their duty, and defend God’s right, yet he will not allow wickedness to go unpunished. 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 20:1-2

When laws are repeated, or when the LORD at any time enforceth his precepts, by a renewed rehearsal, it always should carry with it an evidence of its importance. Psalms 62:11 . read more

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