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 24:16KJV
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Leviticus 24:16 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“certainly” Hebrew H7275 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
  • Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
  • 1 Kings 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

“land” Hebrew H249 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
  • Leviticus 18:26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
  • Numbers 15:13 All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

“blasphemeth” Hebrew H5344 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 30:28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
  • Job 41:2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

“stranger” Hebrew H1616 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Leviticus 25:47 And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:
  • Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.