Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges · Leviticus Capitolo 20

Ch. Leviticus 20:1-27. Various Laws with the Addition of Penalties for their Violation

For the relation between this ch. and those parts of ch. 18 which are kindred to it, see introd. note to the latter. The character stamped upon chs. 17–26 as the ‘Law of Holiness’ is conspicuous in the hortatory framework introduced by the compiler (Rh[66]), and resembling that of ch. 18.

[66] A Reviser who combined laws taken mainly from existing codes with a hortatory and warning element.

The ch. may be sub-divided thus: (1) Leviticus 20:1-7, laws bearing on religion; Molech worship and consultation with the unseen world; (2) Leviticus 20:8-21, laws bearing on immorality; unlawful marriages and unchastity; (3) Leviticus 20:22-26, hortatory conclusion; (4) Leviticus 20:27, punishment for offences mentioned in Leviticus 20:6.

2. Moreover] This introduction shews that the words that follow do not stand in their original context, but are an extract from a body of laws.

Leviticus 20:2-3 appear to be inconsistent. In 2 the offender is to be stoned by the people, in 3 he is to be cut off by some kind of divine visitation. Probably we may trace here the juxtaposition of two sources, while for the sake of harmonizing them Leviticus 20:4-5 were added.

4. hide their eyes] i.e. disregard. For the expression in this sense cp. Proverbs 28:27; Isaiah 1:15.

6. familiar spirits … wizards] See on Leviticus 19:31.

7. Almost verbally identical with Leviticus 11:44 a.

9. The penalty of death is here assigned for cursing a parent, as in Exodus 21:17. In both places Targ. Ps-Jon. gives the traditional interpretation that when the sacred Name is mentioned in connexion with the cursing, the penalty of death is incurred. The words ‘his (their) blood shall be upon him (them)’ occur in this ch. and in Ezekiel 18:13; Ezekiel 33:5; cp. Joshua 2:19; Ezekiel 33:4.

10–21. Directions on the whole similar to those of Leviticus 18:6-20; Leviticus 18:22-23, but adding penalties for transgression.

22–24. An exhortation fundamentally in agreement with Leviticus 18:24-30.

The idea of a separation from other nations is prominent in connexion with that of holiness.

25. The injunction that careful discrimination must be employed in the matter of clean and unclean food must, as Wellh. (Composition d. Hex. etc., p. 158, Berlin, 1889) and others point out, in its original context have been accompanied by detailed directions such as now are found in ch. 11.

Leviticus 20:25-26 in their present form are to be compared with Leviticus 11:43-45. See note there.

27. See on Leviticus 19:31. This supplementary precept is not identical with the earlier one. Here the subject is the person within whom the discarnate spirit is supposed to be working (lit. ‘when there is in them an’ ôb or a familiar spirit’), while in Leviticus 20:6 it is the person who makes application to such for assistance.