Leviticus 24:14
"Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have the whole assembly stone him.
Take the blasphemer outside the camp
In ancient Israel, the camp represented the dwelling place of God's people and His presence among them. Removing the blasphemer from the camp symbolized the separation of sin from the community. This act reflects the holiness code in Leviticus, emphasizing the need to maintain purity within the community. The concept of being "outside the camp" is echoed in Hebrews 13:12-13, where Jesus suffered outside the city gate, symbolizing His bearing of sin and separation for the sake of sanctification.

and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head
The laying on of hands in this context signifies the transfer of guilt and responsibility. Those who witnessed the blasphemy were required to affirm the truth of the accusation, ensuring that the punishment was just. This act also served as a communal acknowledgment of the sin, reinforcing the seriousness of blasphemy against God. The laying on of hands is seen in other contexts, such as in the ordination of priests (Leviticus 8:14) and the transfer of sins to the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:21).

then have the whole assembly stone him
Stoning was a communal act of judgment, reflecting the collective responsibility of the community to uphold God's laws. It served as a deterrent against sin and maintained the sanctity of God's name. The severity of the punishment underscores the gravity of blasphemy, which was considered a direct affront to God's holiness. This method of execution is seen in other instances of capital punishment in the Old Testament, such as in the case of Achan (Joshua 7:25) and the man who violated the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36). The communal nature of the act also prefigures the collective rejection of Christ, who was condemned by the assembly of His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Blasphemer
An individual who has spoken against God, committing a grave sin in the Israelite community.

2. The Camp
Represents the community of Israel, where God's presence dwells among His people.

3. The Witnesses
Those who heard the blasphemy and are required to lay their hands on the blasphemer, signifying their testimony and the transfer of guilt.

4. The Assembly
The congregation of Israel, responsible for carrying out the execution, emphasizing communal responsibility in upholding God's law.

5. Stoning
A method of execution prescribed in the Mosaic Law for certain offenses, symbolizing the severity of sin and the need for communal purity.
Teaching Points
The Holiness of God's Name
God's name is sacred, and blasphemy is a direct affront to His holiness. As believers, we must revere and honor God's name in our speech and actions.

Community Responsibility
The entire assembly's involvement in the punishment underscores the collective responsibility to uphold God's standards. In the church today, we are called to hold one another accountable in love and truth.

The Seriousness of Sin
The severe penalty for blasphemy highlights the seriousness of sin and its consequences. We must recognize the gravity of sin and seek repentance and forgiveness through Christ.

The Role of Witnesses
The requirement for witnesses to lay hands on the blasphemer emphasizes the importance of truth and integrity in justice. As Christians, we are called to be truthful and just in all our dealings.

Christ's Fulfillment of the Law
Jesus' sacrifice outside the camp fulfills the law's demands and offers grace and redemption. We are reminded of the sufficiency of Christ's atonement for our sins.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command to take the blasphemer outside the camp reflect the holiness of God and the need for purity within the community?

2. In what ways can we, as a church, uphold the holiness of God's name in our contemporary context?

3. How does the role of witnesses in Leviticus 24:14 inform our understanding of truth and justice in the church today?

4. What parallels can we draw between the punishment for blasphemy in the Old Testament and the sacrifice of Jesus in the New Testament?

5. How can we apply the principles of communal responsibility and accountability in our personal and church lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:7
This verse provides the commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain, which underpins the seriousness of blasphemy.

Deuteronomy 17:7
This passage discusses the role of witnesses in carrying out capital punishment, emphasizing the need for integrity and communal involvement.

Acts 7:58
The stoning of Stephen in the New Testament reflects the continuation of this practice and highlights the tension between the old and new covenants.

Hebrews 13:12-13
Jesus' suffering "outside the camp" draws a parallel to the blasphemer's removal, illustrating the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Blaspheming Against God's Holy NameW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 24:10-16
Slaying the BlasphemerW. Wayland, B. A.Leviticus 24:10-16
Stoning the BlasphemerC. Ness.Leviticus 24:10-16
The Crime of BlasphemyR.M. Edgar Leviticus 24:10-16
The NameC. Geikie, D. D.Leviticus 24:10-16
The Sin of ProfanityT. De Witt Talmage.Leviticus 24:10-16
A Suggestive EpisodeW. Clarkson Leviticus 24:10-16, 23
Shelomith's SonJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 24:10-23
The Law of DeathR.A. Redford Leviticus 24:10-23
People
Aaron, Dan, Dibri, Ephah, Israelites, Israelitess, Moses, Shelomith
Places
Teman
Topics
Assembly, Bring, Camp, Company, Congregation, Cursed, Curser, Entire, Forth, Hands, Hearing, Laid, Lay, Lead, Outside, Reviler, Stone, Stoned, Tent-circle
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 24:14

     5244   camp
     5485   punishment, legal aspects
     7209   congregation
     7346   death penalty
     7372   hands, laying on

Leviticus 24:10-16

     4366   stones
     5800   blasphemy

Leviticus 24:13-14

     5557   stoning

Leviticus 24:13-16

     5623   witnesses, legal

Library
The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

A Divine Saviour.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew xvi. 1; John vi. 69.) We meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. There are many passages that will give light on this subject. In 1 Corinthians xv. 47, we are told: "The first man is of the earth earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." In 1 John v. 20: "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

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

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