Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 20:9
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood [shall be] upon him.
9. The penalty of death is here assigned for cursing a parent, as in Exo 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 Eze 18:13; Eze 33:5; cp. Jos 2:19; Eze 33:4.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 9. Curseth his father or his mother] See Clarke on Ge 48:12, and “Ex 20:12“. He who conscientiously keeps the fifth commandment can be in no danger of this judgment. The term yekallel signifies, not only to curse, but to speak of a person contemptuously and disrespectfully, to make light of; so that all speeches which have a tendency to lessen our parents in the eyes of others, or to render their judgment, piety, c., suspected and contemptible, may be here included though the act of cursing, or of treating the parent with injurious and opprobrious language, is that which is particularly intended.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For, or, surely, as that particle, chi, is oft used, as Job 8:6; 20:20. So there needs no dispute about the connexion, or what this is a reason of. Curseth; which is not meant of every perverse expression, but of bitter reproaches or imprecations. Or his mother; Heb. and put for or, as hath been noted before.
His blood shall be upon him; he is guilty of his own death; he deserves to die for so unnatural a crime.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
For everyone that curseth his father or his mother,…. Here begins the account of the penalties annexed to the several laws in the preceding chapter; and that respecting the fear and honour of parents being the first, Le 19:3, is here begun with:
shall surely be put to death; the Targum of Jonathan adds,
“by casting of stones,”
stoning being the punishment of such transgressors:
he hath cursed his father or his mother: to do either is his sin, and a capital crime it is:
his blood [shall be] upon him: he shall be guilty of death, be condemned unto it, and punished with it, namely, by stoning; for, as Jarchi observes, wherever it is, “his blood [shall be] on him”, or “their blood shall be on them”, it is to be understood of stoning.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Whoever cursed father or mother was to be punished with death (Lev 19:3); “ His blood would be upon him.” The cursing of parents was a capital crime (see at Lev 17:4, and for the plural Exo 22:1 and Gen 4:10), which was to return upon the doer of it, according to Gen 9:6. The same punishment was to be inflicted upon adultery (Lev 20:10, cf. Lev 18:20), carnal intercourse with a father’s wife (Lev 20:11, cf. Lev 18:7-8) or with a daughter-in-law (Lev 20:12, cf. Lev 18:17), sodomy (Lev 20:13, cf. Lev 18:22), sexual intercourse with a mother and her daughter, in which case the punishment was to be heightened by the burning of the criminals when put to death (Lev 20:14, cf. Lev 18:17), lying with a beast (Lev 20:15, Lev 20:16, cf. Lev 18:23), sexual intercourse with a half-sister (Lev 20:17, cf. Lev 18:9 and Lev 18:11), and lying with a menstruous woman (Lev 20:18, cf. Lev 18:19). The punishment of death, which was to be inflicted in all these cases upon both the criminals, and also upon the beast that had been abused (Lev 20:15, Lev 20:16), was to be by stoning, according to Lev 20:2, Lev 20:27, and Deu 22:21.; and by the burning (Lev 20:14) we are not to understand death by fire, or burning alive, but, as we may clearly see from Jos 7:15 and Jos 7:25, burning the corpse after death. This was also the case in Lev 21:9 and Gen 38:24.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verse 9:
This amplifies the law stated in Ex 21:17. God demands the highest respect for parental authority. this holds true today, Eph 6:1-4; Col 3:20. Disrespect for parental authority leads to disobedience to Divine authority. Jesus delivered a scathing denunciation for those who seek to violate this principle, Mr 7:9-13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CURSING PARENTS-20:9
SEXUAL CRIMES-20:1021
TEXT 20:921
9
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
10
And the man that committeth adultery with another mans wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbors wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
11
And the man that lieth with his fathers wife hath uncovered his fathers nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
12
And if a man lie with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
13
And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
14
And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
15
And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
16
And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
17
And if a man shall take his sister, his fathers daughter, or his mothers daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sisters nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
18
And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath made naked her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
19
And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mothers sister, nor of thy fathers sister; for he hath made naked his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.
20
And if a man shall lie with his uncles wife, he hath uncovered his uncles nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
21
And if a man shall take his brothers wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brothers nakedness; they shall be childless.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 20:921
460.
Why so severe a punishment for the cursing of parents?
461.
Burning with fire is singled out for three people. Who are they?
462.
Do you believe Israel was deterred from sexual sins because of the severe penalty? Discuss.
PARAPHRASE 20:921
Anyone who curses his father or mother shall surely be put to deathfor he has cursed his own flesh and blood. If a man commits adultery with another mans wife, both the man and woman shall be put to death. If a man sleeps with his fathers wife, he has defiled what is his fathers; both the man and the woman must die, for it is their own fault. And if a man has sexual intercourse with his daughter-in-law, both shall be executed: they have brought it upon themselves by defiling each other. The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties. They have brought it upon themselves. If a man has sexual intercourse with a woman and with her mother, it is a great evil. All three shall be burned alive to wipe out wickedness from among you. If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he shall be executed and the animal killed. If a woman has sexual intercourse with an animal, kill the woman and the animal, for they deserve their punishment. If a man has sexual intercourse with his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, it is a shameful thing, and they shall publicly be cut off from the people of Israel. He shall bear his guilt. If a man has sexual intercourse with a woman during her period of menstruation, both shall be excommunicated, for he has uncovered her uncleanness. Sexual intercourse is outlawed between a man and his maiden auntwhether the sister of his mother or of his fatherfor they are near of kin; they shall bear their guilt. If a man has intercourse with his uncles widow, he has taken what belongs to his uncle; their punishment is that they shall bear their sin and die childless. If a man marries his brothers widow, this is impurity; for he has taken what belongs to his brother, and they shall be childless.
COMMENT 20:921
Lev. 20:9 It has been thought that the cursing of father or mother was with the name of God and for this reason we have such a severe penalty for this act. Such a sin strikes at the foundation of society. Where there is no respect of parents there can be no respect for God. Such a one shall be stoned to death. Cf. Exo. 21:17; Pro. 20:20; Mat. 15:14; Mar. 7:10. The reference to his blood shall be upon him suggests that the son knew the penalty before he sinned. Cf. Jos. 2:19. This phrase occurs six times in this chapter (Lev. 20:9; Lev. 20:11-13; Lev. 20:16; Lev. 20:27).
Lev. 20:10-21 Traditionally the words shall surely be put to death when not modified by a reference to stoning or burning meant that such a one should be strangled. Such a phrase occurs six times for the following crimes: (1) Adultery with another mans wife; (2) striking father or mother; (3) kidnapping another Israelite; (4) an elder who rebelled against the decision of the senate (Deu. 17:12); (5) the false prophet; (6) prophecy in the name of another god. (Ginsburg) Most of these crimes have been discussed in chapter 19. The third form of capital punishment, i.e. burning with fire is mentioned in Lev. 20:14. We are indebted again to C. D. Ginsburg for a most graphic description of this:
This, as we have seen, is the third of the four modes of capital punishment. (See Lev. 20:2.) In the following ten cases those guilty of the sins specified suffered this punishment: (1) the unchaste high priests daughter (chap. Lev. 21:9); (2) he who had commerce with his daughter; (3) or with his daughters daughter; (4) or with his sons daughter; (5) or with his wifes daughter; (6) or with her daughters daughter; (7) or with her sons daughter; (8) or with his mother-in-law; (9) or with the mother of his mother-in-law; and (10), or with the mother of his father-in-law. It will thus be seen that with the exception of the high priests daughter this death was only inflicted for incest. As the Bible nowhere states the precise mode in which this kind of death is to be carried out, the authorities during the second Temple maintained that it must be executed in such a manner as to leave the body externally unchanged by the flames, because when God himself inflicted this punishment, the dead bodies of Nadab and Abihu were in a perfect state of preservation. (See chap. Lev. 10:2.) To effect this the criminal was put into dung up to his knees, a soft cloth containing a hard one was then tied around his throat, while the two witnesses who had secured his sentence drew tighter by the two cords till the criminal opened his mouth, when molten lead was poured down his throat, thus burning him to death. Hence the ancient Chaldee Version renders it here, they shall be burnt with fire, with melted lead in their mouth.
Please refer to Lev. 19:9-30 for a careful description of the sins for which the penalty is here given.
FACT QUESTIONS 20:921
471.
Children could curse parents and not be put to death if they cursed in a particular way. How?
472.
This is a very serious sin. Explain.
473.
What is meant or suggested by the words his blood shall be upon him?
474.
How was it decided that the death penalty should be by strangling?
475.
Why use such a strange manner of burning with fire?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(9) For every one that curseth his father.Though the administrators of the Law during the second Temple have laid down the most minute regulation with regard to filial obedience (see Lev. 19:3), and though nothing can exceed the tenderness with which they instilled into the hearts of children the Biblical precepts on this subject (Exo. 20:12), yet they enacted that the child only incurred the penalty of death when he used the ineffable name God when cursing his parent, who was either alive or dead, and that if he used an attribute of the Deity, such as Almighty, the Merciful, &c, he was simply to be beaten with stripes. This will account for the rendering of this passage in the ancient Chaldee Version, who curseth his father or his mother by the inexpressible name, i.e., Jehovah.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Curseth his father The Hebrew includes contemptuous or disrespectful words, as well as cursing. But it is not probable that petulant words in a momentary passion were sufficient to constitute a capital crime, but the defiant and repeated vilification of the parents and the rejection of their authority.
His blood upon him This law phrase, recurring so often in the Scriptures, is first found here. It signifies that capital punishment worthily falls upon him who wilfully violates God’s law.
Breach of the reverence due to parents is punished in just the same way as offences against the reverence due to God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Crimes Which Deserve The Death Penalty ( Lev 20:9-18 ).
Lev 20:9
“For every one who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be on him.”
The first such crime is that of a man cursing his father or mother. This does not mean that he just swears about something they have done, or at them because they have annoyed or frustrated him. It refers rather to a man who seeks to put his father and mother under a specific curse. He calls on Yahweh to do the very opposite of what Yahweh has declared He will do. The man is not only dishonouring them, he is seeking to do them real harm, and dishonouring Yahweh.
The use of curses was widespread. A multitude of examples have been found in Egypt, and many could be bought and sold. The purpose of a curse was to use ‘occult’ means to do someone harm. It would especially appeal to the weak who had no other means of vengeance.
In a patriarchal society where the father figure was the supreme authority this would have been a deliberate attempt to undermine tribal authority, and even to take over power for himself. It was a blow at the family structure, and if successful could have undermined the society in which he lived. The one who attempts something like this must be put to death. Such a person with such aims to carry out in such an evil way cannot be allowed to live, because of the harm he will do in destabilising society. And he has brought his blood on his own head. There will be no guilt on any who put him to death. The guilt will be on him.
Lev 20:10
“And the man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”
The next crime is adultery, where a man takes his neighbour’s wife. In this case both he and the adulteress were to be put to death. Again it was a blow at the family which was the very basis of society.
Lev 20:11
“And the man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both of them shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be on them.”
The third such crime was when a man lay with his father’s wife, that is, had sexual relations with her. Both he and she were to be put to death. For it would be as if he has publicly stripped his father naked. A man’s wife is one flesh with him (Gen 2:24). To make her naked would be to make her husband naked. They have brought their blood on their own heads. Anyone who executes them is guiltless.
Lev 20:12
“And if a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death. They have wrought confusion. Their blood shall be on them.”
The same principle applied between a man and his daughter-in-law. If they had sexual relations, both were to be put to death. They would have mixed up the generations, causing ‘confusion’, (for the son could become brother to his wife’s son), and the man would have exposed his son to shame and ridicule. Again those who put them to death will bear no guilt. The guilt is on their own heads. In all these examples the destruction of family relationships is central.
Lev 20:13
“And if a man lies with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be on them.”
For a man to have sexual relations with another man is an abomination. No other relationship is always described specifically as an abomination in this way, so it is clearly particularly hateful to God. And being in the midst of a passage dealing with sexual matters this refers to any practising homosexual relationship, not just to cultic practise. It is saying that there is no such thing as a Christian practising homosexual. This has nothing to do with whether a man has homosexual tendencies, it is speaking of a deliberate giving way to those tendencies. Those who do so shall ‘surely be put to death’. Again they have brought their blood on their own heads.
Lev 20:14
“And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is sexual wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there be no wickedness among you.”
Equally guilty would be a man who had sexual relations with both his wife and her mother. This would be sexual wickedness. They are all three to be burned with fire. The burning may indicate a death of particular shame as devoted to destruction (as Achan was – Joshua 7). Or perhaps the thought is that they deserve the same thing as happened to worshippers of Molech. They have shown themselves worthy only of Molech.
Lev 20:15
“And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall slay the beast.”
The same principle applies to a man who has sexual relations with a dumb animal. Both he and the beast must be put to death. But it is not quite as abhorrent as a man who beds mother and daughter for the punishment is less horrific.
Lev 20:16
“And if a woman approach any beast, and lie down with it, you shall kill the woman, and the beast. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be on them.”
A woman is no different. If she allows a beast to have sexual relations with her, both she and the beast must die. They shall surely be put to death. Their actions have brought their blood on themselves. There will be no bloodguilt for those who slay them. (The beast, if previously a clean one, is clearly not to be offered as a sacrifice).
Lev 20:17
“And if a man shall take his sister, his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. And they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity.”
No man shall have sexual relations with a sister or half-sister by blood. It is a shameful thing and means that they must be cut off ‘in the sight of the children of Israel’, presumably this indicates stoning. He must take the punishment for the evil he has done.
Lev 20:18
“And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood, and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.”
The one who deliberately lies with a woman during menstruation, while the blood is on her, shall be cut off from among the people, as shall also the woman, he because he has exposed her bleeding, she because she has uncovered her bleeding. Her bleeding is an uncleanness and related to death. It speaks of sin and death. It should be hidden and not exposed. To expose it is to deserve the death of which it speaks.
It is, however, possible that this does not refer to husband and wife, but to where a man forces a woman who is not his wife during her menstruation. By shaming her like this it is as if he had committed adultery.
These then (from Lev 20:2-18) are the major crimes which in God’s eyes are worthy of death. They are so evil that they override the concept of the sacredness of life. Those who do them have forfeited the right to life.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Lev 20:9. For every one Our old version here is, If there be any that curseth, &c. The particle ki, rendered for, is not always causal; but frequently signifies moreover, further, when, &c.; see Noldius, Lev 9:22 : &c.
REFLECTIONS.The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The former laws are here armed with their sanction, and we need hear and fear before this holy Lord God.
1. In respect to the sacrificing of children. When we see the votaries of sin in general serving the devil with such loss and suffering, how ought we to value the perfect freedom of God’s service. 2. In respect to the escape of the criminal from the hands of men, God would then take the matter into his own hand. Note; Sinners may escape the hand of justice here; but at God’s tribunal they must stand, and none can deliver them out of his hand. 3. Nor shall the abettors of the idolaters share a milder judgment. Note; (1.) The character of an informer is often, and justly perhaps in general, stamped with infamy: but there are offences where silence involves us in the guilt of the crime we conceal; and it is at our peril if we hold our tongue. (2.) A negligent magistrate is a most criminal character; and they who will not judge for God, shall be judged by him. 4. A general charge is given to sanctify themselves for God, and, consequently, to separate themselves from the ways and company of sinners: and the reasons are given: (1.) Because God is their Lord and Master, and they must serve him only. (2.) Because they thus answer his designs of grace upon them: I am he that sanctifieth you. Note; [1.] Sanctification is the work of God: his power must be obtained, or else impotent would be the command. [2.] All God’s people are a holy people: though the measure of their attainments differ, yet universal sanctification of heart and life is the prayer, the purpose, and sincere endeavour of every gracious soul.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Our LORD was pleased to take notice of this precept, and to confirm it. Mat 15:4 . And the law of nature seems to echo the same. Pro 30:17 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Lev 20:9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood [shall be] upon him.
Ver. 9. For every one that curseth. ] See Trapp on “ Mat 15:4 “ See Trapp on “ Exo 21:17 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
every one. Hebrew ‘ish ‘ish. App-14.
blood. Figure of speech Metalepsis, App-6, “bloods”, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for guilt, and “guilt” put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for penalty.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
curseth: The term yekallel signifies not only to curse, but to speak contemptuously, disrespectfully, or to make light of a person, so that all speeches which have a tendency to lessen our parents in the eyes of others, or to render their judgment, piety, etc., suspected or contemptible, is here included; though the act of cursing, or of treating the parent with injurious or opprobrious language, is what is particularly intended. He who conscientiously keeps the fifth commandment, can be in no danger of the judgment here denounced. Exo 21:17, Deu 27:16, Pro 20:20, Pro 30:11, Pro 30:17, Mat 15:4, Mar 7:10
his blood: Lev 20:11-13, Lev 20:16, Lev 20:27, Jos 2:19, Jdg 9:24, 2Sa 1:16, 1Ki 2:32, Mat 27:25
Reciprocal: 1Ki 2:37 – thy blood Eze 18:13 – blood Eze 22:7 – set Eze 33:4 – his blood Act 18:6 – Your 1Ti 1:9 – murderers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lev 20:9. Curseth This is not here meant of every perverse expression, but of bitter reproaches or imprecations. His blood shall be upon him He is guilty of his own death: he deserves to die for so unnatural a crime.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
20:9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; {e} his blood [shall be] upon him.
(e) He is worthy to die.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Cursing parents was also punishable by stoning.
Stoning ". . . was the usual punishment appointed in the law for cases in which death was inflicted . . ." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 2:426.]
Several sexual sins described here drew this penalty. The law banned the marital unions alluded to in Lev 20:14; Lev 20:17; Lev 20:21. Consequently these verses may be referring to common law marriages in which people lived together as husband and wife without a wedding ceremony. [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 280.] Burning the criminals (Lev 20:14) took place after their execution to heighten the general perception of the wickedness of their sin (cf. Gen 38:24; Lev 21:9; Jos 7:15; Jos 7:25). It also symbolically cleansed the camp of defilement by removing their remains. [Note: Ross, p. 386.]
God would judge these sexual sins, not by withholding children from the guilty parties, but by regarding the children born of such unions as illegitimate. Such children would not benefit their families, which was a great calamity in Israel’s world (cf. 1Ch 3:17-18; Jer 22:30; Jer 36:30). [Note: See ibid., p. 377; Hartley, pp. 328-29.]
"Whereas in certain respects OT penal law was much more lenient than that of neighboring contemporary cultures, it was more strict with regard to offenses against religion and family life." [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 179. This author wrote a helpful excursus on "Principles of Punishment in the Pentateuch," pp. 281-86.]