If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that there will be no depravity among you. If a man marries both a woman and her mother,This phrase addresses a specific form of incestuous relationship, which was strictly prohibited in ancient Israelite law. The prohibition against such unions is rooted in the broader Levitical code that seeks to maintain the sanctity and purity of family relationships. This commandment reflects the cultural and religious emphasis on maintaining clear boundaries within familial structures, which were essential for the social and spiritual health of the community. The act of marrying both a woman and her mother would have been seen as a violation of the natural order established by God. it is depraved.
The term "depraved" indicates a moral corruption or perversion. In the context of Leviticus, this word underscores the severity of the offense in the eyes of God. The use of such strong language highlights the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the consequences of deviating from them. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness, where God's people are called to be set apart and to live according to His statutes. Both he and they must be burned in the fire,
The prescribed punishment of being "burned in the fire" signifies the gravity of the sin and serves as a deterrent to others. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such severe penalties were not uncommon for serious offenses. This punishment also reflects the principle of purging evil from the community, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The act of burning may symbolize the complete eradication of sin, ensuring that the community remains pure and undefiled. so that there will be no depravity among you.
This concluding phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of the law. The goal is to prevent the spread of moral corruption within the Israelite community. By enforcing strict penalties, the law aims to uphold the holiness and integrity of God's people. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to His laws is paramount. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's desire for His people to be a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding cultures. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, to whom the laws in Leviticus were given to set them apart as holy. 3. CanaanThe land where the Israelites were headed, which was inhabited by people practicing detestable customs that God wanted His people to avoid. Teaching Points Holiness and SeparationGod calls His people to be holy and distinct from the surrounding nations. This involves adhering to His standards for sexual conduct. The Seriousness of SinThe severe penalty for this sin underscores the seriousness with which God views sexual immorality and the need to eradicate it from the community. Respect for Family StructureGod's laws protect the sanctity and integrity of family relationships, which are foundational to a healthy society. Consequences of SinSin has consequences not only for the individual but also for the community. The prescribed punishment serves as a deterrent to prevent the spread of depravity. New Testament ContinuityWhile the specific penalties may differ, the New Testament continues to affirm the importance of sexual purity and the need for the church to address sin within its midst. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prohibition in Leviticus 20:14 reflect God's design for marriage and family? 2. In what ways does the New Testament uphold the principles found in Leviticus 20:14 regarding sexual purity? 3. How can we apply the principle of holiness in our relationships today, especially in a culture that often disregards biblical standards? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to maintain purity in our thoughts and actions, in light of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:27-28? 5. How should the church respond to instances of sexual immorality within its community, based on the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 2:24This verse establishes the sanctity of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, which is foundational to understanding the prohibitions in Leviticus. Deuteronomy 27:23This verse reiterates the prohibition against sexual relations with a mother and her daughter, emphasizing the seriousness of such acts. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5Paul addresses a case of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church, showing that the New Testament continues to uphold sexual purity. Matthew 5:27-28Jesus expands on the understanding of sexual immorality, teaching that even lustful thoughts are sinful. People Molech, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Act, Burn, Burned, Burnt, Fire, Immorality, Infamy, Marries, Midst, Shame, Takes, Taketh, Wicked, Wickedness, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 20:14 4826 fire
5275 cremation
5485 punishment, legal aspects
5711 marriage, restrictions Leviticus 20:1-17 6026 sin, judgment on Leviticus 20:10-16 7346 death penalty Leviticus 20:10-21 6188 immorality, sexual
7525 exclusiveness Library Tenth Day. Holiness and Separation.
I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. And ye shall be holy unto me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from other people that ye should be Mine.'--Lev. xx. 24, 26. 'Until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy.... All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.'--Num. vi. 5, 8. 'Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the …
Andrew Murray—Holy in ChristSeventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Self-Denial.
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."--Matt. xvi. 24. Good works are not the saint's sanctification, any more than drops of water are the fountain; but they spring as crystal drops from the fountain of sanctification. They are good, not when the saint intends them to be good, but when they conform to the divine law and proceed from a true faith. Yet the intention is of great importance; the Church has always taught that a work could not be called …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Epistle Lxiv. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [174] . Here begins the epistle of the blessed Gregory pope of the city of Rome, in exposition of various matters, which he sent into transmarine Saxony to Augustine, whom he had himself sent in his own stead to preach. Preface.--Through my most beloved son Laurentius, the presbyter, and Peter the monk, I received thy Fraternity's letter, in which thou hast been at pains to question me on many points. But, inasmuch as my aforesaid sons found me afflicted with the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 20:14 NIVLeviticus 20:14 NLTLeviticus 20:14 ESVLeviticus 20:14 NASBLeviticus 20:14 KJV
Leviticus 20:14 Commentaries
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