Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 24:12
And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be showed them.
12. that it might be declared unto them at the mouth of the Lord ] more exact than the A.V. ‘that the mind of the Lord might be shewn them.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The offender may already have been pronounced guilty by the rulers (see Exo 18:21-22), and the case was referred to Moses in order that the punishment might be awarded by the divine decree. No law had as yet been enacted against blasphemy except by implication. See Exo 21:17; Exo 22:28.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
For God had only said in general, that he would not hold such guiltless, i.e. he would punish them, but had not declared how he would have them punished by men.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they put him in ward,…. In some prison, a place known in the camp, as Aben Ezra observes:
that the mind of the Lord might be shewed them; for, though this was a breach of the third command, in which God declares he would not hold such an one guiltless, Ex 20:7; yet no particular punishment being expressed, it was not a clear case whether the Lord would punish for it himself, by an immediate stroke of his hand, or whether by the civil magistrate; and if by the latter, in what manner; for though it might be concluded, without any hesitation, that he was worthy of death, since cursing father or mother was death, Ex 21:17; and much more blaspheming God, yet what death to put him to they might be at a loss about; or if that was understood of stoning, they might think this deserved a sorer punishment, and therefore consulted God about it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(12) And they put him in ward.That is, to keep him in safe custody till he had been tried. In the Mosaic legislation confinement in a prison for a certain period as a punishment for an offence is nowhere enacted.
That the mind of the Lord might be shewed them.Better, that he might direct them according to the command of the Lord, as the Authorised Version renders this phrase in Exo. 17:1, Num. 4:37; Num. 4:41; Num. 4:49, &c. Though this was a transgression of the third commandment, and though it was ordained that he who cursed his earthly parent should be put to death (see Lev. 20:9), yet no law existed as to the exact punishment which was to be inflicted upon him who cursed his heavenly Father (see Exo. 22:28); nor was it known whether such an offender should be left to God Himself to execute the sentence. For this reason the criminal was detained till Moses had appealed to the Lord for instruction, in order that he might direct the people accordingly. Similar instances of Moses appealing direct to the Lord for guidance in matters of law and judgment we have in Num. 15:34; Num. 28:1-5.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. In ward In prison, or under guard.
The mind of the Lord Literally, as the R.V., “To declare distinctly unto them according to the mouth of the Lord.” It would seem that this was the first violation of the third commandment.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
But observe, though the crime was so enormous, yet we find there is no haste in the punishment. What a sweet lesson ought men, in their little provocations with each other to learn from hence. Oh! that we were to wait to know what the mind of the LORD is upon all occasions. Eph 5:17 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Lev 24:12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.
Ver. 12. That the mind. ] God had not yet made a particular law against blasphemy. Solon made no law against parricide, Lycurgus none against ingratitude; because they thought no such offence would be committed.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
that the mind of the Lord might be showed them: Heb. to expound unto them according to the mouth of the Lord, Exo 18:15, Exo 18:16, Exo 18:23, Num 27:5, Num 36:5, Num 36:6
Reciprocal: Gen 42:17 – ward Num 15:34 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lev 24:12. That the mind of the Lord might be showed For God had only said in general, that he would not hold such guiltless, that is, he would punish them, but had not declared how he would have them punished by men.