1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.
3 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: [it shall be] a statute for ever in your generations.
4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon [each] row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, [even] an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, [being taken] from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
9 And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it [is] most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
10 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father [was] an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish [woman] and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;
11 And the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother’s name [was] Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)
12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.
13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.
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.
17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
18 And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.
19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him [again].
21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.
22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I [am] the LORD your God.
23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Overview of Leviticus 24
Leviticus 24 is a chapter that addresses various laws and regulations concerning the sacredness of the tabernacle, the responsibilities of the priests, and the consequences of blasphemy. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining holiness and order within the community of Israel.
Key Themes
- The Lampstand and the Bread of the Presence
- Consecration and Holiness
- Punishment for Blasphemy
The Lampstand and the Bread of the Presence (Verses 1-9)
In the opening verses of the chapter, God instructs Moses regarding the care of the lampstand and the bread of the Presence:
- The Lampstand: The priests are commanded to ensure that the lamps on the lampstand are kept burning continually, symbolizing God’s perpetual presence among His people.
- The Bread of the Presence: The twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, are to be placed on a table in the tabernacle every Sabbath. This act signifies the sustenance and provision of God for His people.
- Consecration of the Priests: Only the priests are permitted to eat the bread, highlighting the sacredness of their role and the importance of maintaining purity and holiness.
Consequences of Blasphemy (Verses 10-23)
The latter part of the chapter deals with a serious offense: blasphemy. This section illustrates the gravity of speaking against God:
- Incident of Blasphemy: A son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man blasphemes the name of the Lord during a fight. This incident raises questions about identity, heritage, and community standards.
- Judgment and Punishment: The blasphemer is brought before Moses, and God commands that he be stoned to death by the community. This punishment underscores the seriousness of blasphemy and the need for communal responsibility in upholding God’s honor.
- Legal Principles Established: The chapter concludes with a reiteration of the principle of “an eye for an eye,” establishing a legal framework for justice and retribution within the community.
Theological Implications
Leviticus 24 emphasizes the following theological implications:
- God’s Holiness: The chapter illustrates the necessity of holiness in worship and community life, reflecting God’s character and the need for His people to mirror that holiness.
- Community Responsibility: The communal aspect of punishment for blasphemy indicates that the community shares in the responsibility of maintaining the sanctity of God’s name.
- Provision and Presence: The lampstand and the bread of the Presence serve as tangible reminders of God’s continuous provision and presence among His people.
Conclusion
Leviticus 24 serves as a crucial reminder of the sacredness of God’s presence and the importance of upholding His holiness within the community. The chapter’s emphasis on the responsibilities of the priests, the consequences of blasphemy, and the communal aspect of justice provides a framework for understanding the relationship between God and His people in the context of worship, identity, and moral conduct.
