Leviticus 20:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 20:5 mean?

Leviticus 20:5 says that God will personally oppose and cut off anyone, along with their family, who turns to worship Molech and leads others into that same practice. The verse stresses that those who follow this path will be separated from their community because of their unfaithfulness.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, warning them about the seriousness of idolatry, especially the worship of Molech, which involved detestable practices. The language shows that this is not just about individual sin but also about the influence one person can have on others, and the consequences extend to families and followers. The verse comes in a section where God is laying out laws to keep Israel distinct from surrounding nations.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 20:5

• "Set" (שִׂים, sîm): This word means to direct or fix attention. Here, it shows God is actively turning His attention in opposition, not just passively allowing consequences.
• "Face" (פָּנִים, pānîm): Often means presence or favor, but here it means God is turning His presence against someone, signaling strong disapproval.
• "Cut off" (כָּרַת, kārat): This word often means to remove or separate completely, indicating a total break from the community.
• "Whoring" and "Whoredom" (זָנָה, zānâ): These words describe unfaithfulness, often used for both literal sexual immorality and spiritual betrayal, like idolatry.

Why Leviticus 20:5 matters

• The verse clarifies that idolatry, especially involving Molech, is not just a private matter but affects families and the wider community.
• The strong language about God "setting His face" and "cutting off" highlights how seriously God views spiritual unfaithfulness.
• This verse connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of keeping Israel distinct and holy, warning against adopting the practices of neighboring peoples.