And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
LEVITICUS 24:16KJVWhat does Leviticus 24:16 mean?
Leviticus 24:16 says that anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death by stoning, and this rule applies equally to both Israelites and foreigners living among them. The whole community is responsible for carrying out this punishment when someone blasphemes the name of the LORD.
In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the Israelites about how seriously they are to treat any act of blasphemy—specifically, speaking against or showing contempt for God’s name. The context is a legal section where God is laying out laws for the community, emphasizing that respect for God’s name is required from everyone, not just native-born Israelites.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 24:16
- "blasphemeth" (נָקַב, naqav): This word often means "to pierce" or "to designate," but in this context, it is understood as "to blaspheme"—to speak in a way that insults or shows contempt for God. It highlights the seriousness of using God's name in a disrespectful or harmful way.
- "name" (שֵׁם, shem): This refers to God’s name, which in ancient Israelite culture represented God’s character, reputation, and presence. To blaspheme the name was to attack the very identity of God.
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the specific, personal name of God revealed to Israel. The verse stresses that it is not just any god’s name, but the unique name of Israel’s God.
- "congregation" (עֵדָה, edah): This word means the whole community of Israel. The responsibility for upholding this law is shared by everyone, not just leaders or priests.
- "stranger" (גֵּר, ger): This refers to a non-Israelite living among the Israelites. The law is applied equally, showing that blasphemy is a serious offense for anyone in the community.
Why Leviticus 24:16 matters
- Leviticus 24:16 clarifies that the law about blasphemy was not just for Israelites but also for foreigners living among them, showing the expectation of shared respect for God’s name within the whole community.
- The verse emphasizes the communal responsibility in upholding reverence for God, as the entire congregation is called to carry out the sentence, not just officials or religious leaders.
- This law is set within a section that highlights the holiness of God and the seriousness with which the Israelites were to treat anything related to God’s identity, helping explain the strong language and severe consequences.