Leviticus 24:16
And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
Leviticus 24:16 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Leviticus in the Bible, it discusses the serious consequences of blaspheming the name of the Lord. Blasphemy is considered a grave offense in many religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The verse emphasizes the severity of the punishment for disrespecting the divine name, prescribing death by stoning for anyone, whether a native or a foreigner, who commits this offense. This harsh penalty serves as a deterrent to prevent others from dishonoring the name of the Lord and upholds the sanctity and reverence of God's name among the people. The Old Testament laws were designed to maintain order and purity among the Israelites, and adherence to these laws was seen as essential for the spiritual well-being of the community. Despite the cultural and historical context of this verse, it continues to provoke discussions on the appropriate way to address blasphemy in modern society.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the concept of blasphemy and its consequences is discussed within a theological context. Blasphemy is considered a serious offense in the Bible, especially when it involves the name of the LORD. The act of blaspheming the name of the LORD was punishable by death, as seen in this verse. The punishment for blasphemy was not limited to the native Israelites but extended to all individuals, including strangers. This shows the importance of respecting and honoring the name of the LORD in the biblical worldview. The mention of stoning as the method of execution highlights the severity of the offense and serves as a deterrent to others who may consider committing such an act. Overall, this verse underscores the significance of reverence for the divine name and the severe consequences of speaking against it according to biblical teachings.
Leviticus 24:16 in other translations
American Standard Version
And he that blasphemeth the name of Jehovah, he shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the sojourner, as the home-born, when he blasphemeth the name [of Jehovah], shall be put to death.
World English Bible
He who blasphemes Yahweh’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
Douay-Rheims
And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, dying let him die. All the multitude shall stone him, whether he be a native or a stranger. He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, dying let him die.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shalbe put to death: all the Congregation shall stone him to death: aswell the stranger, as he that is borne in the lande: when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, let him beslaine.