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.
KJV
et qui blasphemaverit nomen Domini, morte moriatur : lapidibus opprimet eum omnis multitudo, sive ille civis, sive peregrinus fuerit. Qui blasphemaverit nomen Domini, morte moriatur.
Vulgate
ὀνομάζων δὲ τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου θανάτῳ θανατούσθω· λίθοις λιθοβολείτω αὐτὸν πᾶσα συναγωγὴ Ἰσραήλ· ἐάν τε προσήλυτος ἐάν τε αὐτόχθων, ἐν τῷ ὀνομάσαι αὐτὸν τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου τελευτάτω.
LXX
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.
ASV
וְ/נֹקֵ֤ב שֵׁם יְהוָה֙ מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֔ת רָג֥וֹם יִרְגְּמוּ ב֖/וֹ כָּל הָ/עֵדָ֑ה כַּ/גֵּר֙ כָּֽ/אֶזְרָ֔ח בְּ/נָקְב/וֹ שֵׁ֖ם יוּמָֽת
Hebrew
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In the original Hebrew
9 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.
Historic Christian voices
5 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
Q. What is God's will for us in the third commandment? A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders. In a word, that we use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe, so that we may properly confess him, pray to him, and praise him in everything we do and say.
Q. Is blasphemy of God's name by swearing and cursing really such serious sin that God is angry also with those who do not do all they can to help prevent it and forbid it? A. Yes, indeed. No sin is greater, no sin makes God more angry than blaspheming his name. That is why he commanded the death penalty for it.
Cross-references
- 1Tim 1:13 — Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
- Deut 17:5 — Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
- Deut 21:21 — And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
- Exod 22:28 — Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
- Jas 2:7 — Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
- John 8:59 — Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
- John 10:33 — The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
- John 10:33 — The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
- John 19:7 — The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
- Mark 3:28 — Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
- Mark 14:64 — Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
- Matt 9:3 — And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
- Matt 12:31 — Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.