Leviticus 20:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-9

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, Phil. 3:1. I. Three sins are in these verses... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 20:9

For everyone that curseth his father or his mother ,.... Here begins the account of the penalties annexed to the several laws in the preceding chapter; and that respecting the fear and honour of parents being the first, Leviticus 19:3 , is here begun with: shall surely be put to death ; the Targum of Jonathan adds,"by casting of stones,'stoning being the punishment of such transgressors: he hath cursed his father or his mother : to do either is his sin, and a capital crime it is: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 20:9

Curseth his father or his mother - See the notes on Genesis 48:12 , and Exodus 20:12 ; (note). He who conscientiously keeps the fifth commandment can be in no danger of this judgment. The term יקלל yekallel signifies, not only to curse, but to speak of a person contemptuously and disrespectfully, to make light of; so that all speeches which have a tendency to lessen our parents in the eyes of others, or to render their judgment, piety, etc., suspected and contemptible, may be here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 20:1-21

The difference between the religious and the secular law is more marked in modern nations than in the Hebrew commonwealth; the primary object of the first being to forbid and prevent sin; of the second, to protect life and property. The distinction is shown by the separation of the eighteenth and the twentieth chapters; but as in the Mosaic legislation both the law which denounces sin and the law which pronounces penalties for crime proceeded from God, it was not necessary that the... 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 20:9

See above, the note on Leviticus 19:14 , which shows how God's word is made of none effect by man's traditions. God says that a man who curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death. Human authority, incontrovertible throughout a great part of Christendom, declares that in most cases it is no grave sin. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 20:9

Just as the negative law, "Thou shalt do no murder," involves the positive law, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour," so the law forbidding to curse a father or a mother contains within it the law of reverential submission to parents and to all in authority. read more

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