Verse 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 prevailed upon to put them to death; therefore the law says, "thou shall not suffer a witch to live", Exodus 22:18 ,
or that is a wizard ; a knowing one, who pretends to a great deal of knowledge of things; as of lost or stolen goods, and even knowledge of things future, and imposes upon persons, and cheats them of their money they give for information: such
shall surely be put to death : and not spared through favour and affection: the death they are to be put to follows:
they shall stone them with stones ; until they are dead; of the manner of stoning; see Gill on Acts 7:58 ,
their blood shall be upon them : they are worthy of death, and they shall suffer it: this phrase following upon the former, the Jews F13 Torat Cohanim in Yalcut in loc. gather from hence, that, wherever it is used, it is to be understood of stoning; See Gill on Leviticus 20:9 .
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