Leviticus 20:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 20:22-27

The last verse is a particular law, which comes in after the general conclusion, as if omitted in its proper place: it is for the putting of those to death that dealt with familiar spirits, Lev. 20:27. It would be an affront to God and to his lively oracles, a scandal to the country, and a temptation to ignorant bad people, to consult them, if such were known and suffered to live among them. Those that are in league with the devil have in effect made a covenant with death and an agreement with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 20:27

A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit ,.... Or the spirit of Python or divination, see Leviticus 19:31 ; such as the damsel had in Acts 16:16 ; a woman is here particularly mentioned, though before included in the above law; because, as Aben Ezra says, such sort of practices were more frequently committed by women; to which Maimonides F12 Moreh Nevochim, par. 3. c. 37. adds another reason, because men have a natural clemency towards the female sex, and are not easily... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 20:27

A familiar spirit - A spirit or demon, which, by magical rites, is supposed to be bound to appear at the call of his employer. See the notes on Genesis 41:8 ; Exodus 7:11 ; (note), Exodus 7:22 ; (note), Exodus 7:25 ; (note); and Leviticus 19:31 ; (note). From the accounts we have of the abominations both of Egypt and Canaan, we may blush for human nature; for wherever it is without cultivation, and without the revelation of God, it is every thing that is vile in principle and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-27

The first of these penalties, burning with fire, does not mean that those on whom it was inflicted were burnt alive, but that their dead bodies were burnt after they had been stoned to death, as in the case of Achan ( Joshua 7:25 ). It is the punishment for taking a mother and daughter together into the same harem ( Leviticus 18:14 ). Stoning with stones is appointed for crimes which are at once offenses against religion and morals, viz. giving of his seed to Molech ( Leviticus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-27

Sin unto death. The offenses described in this chapter were mentioned before. Such is our obtuseness that we need "line upon line." Adorable is that goodness of God which takes such pains with us. We have here— I. PRESUMPTUOUS SINS AND THEIR PENALTY . 1 . Parents giving their seed to Moloch. 2 . Persons having dealings with necromancy. 3 . Children who curse their parents. 4 . Excesses in uncleanness. II. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WITNESSES . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-27

Punishments assigned to presumptuous sins. I. THE LAW OF SOCIETY RESTS ON THE HIGHER LAW OF GOD . All legislation should be thus divinely sanctioned. The Bible is not a statute-book for nations, but a book of principles—to give light to the mind and heart of man as man. We must not enforce human law on Divine grounds, but we can use Divine revelation to ascertain the most satisfactory laws. II. PUNISHMENTS vary from age to age and country to country, but the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 20:6-27

The pursuit of knowledge by right means is one of the highest and noblest occupations of the intellect of man, but the seeking after knowledge by unlawful means is so criminal as to lead God to cut off the presumptuous seeker from among his people. It was grasping after a forbidden knowledge by unrighteous means that brought death into the world ( Genesis 3:6 ). All dealing in necromancy and witchcraft involves this sin on the part of the inquirer into futurity, whether those whom they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 20:27

Those that deal in witchcraft are to be stoned. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Leviticus 20:27

Leviticus 20:27. A man or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, shall surely be put to death They that are in league with the devil have in effect made a covenant with death; and so shall their doom be. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-27

Penalties for wrongdoing (20:1-27)The law now sets out penalties for the more serious offences outlined in Chapters 18 and 19. People who offered their children to the gods were to be stoned to death (20:1-5; for Molech see note on 18:21). Those who looked for guidance through witchcraft were guilty of rebellion against God and were to be punished by being cut off from the life of the community. A person who consulted the spirits of the dead was to be killed (6-9,27).Most of the perverse sexual... read more

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