Leviticus 20:3

And I will set My face against that man and cut him off from his people, because by giving his offspring to Molech, he has defiled My sanctuary and profaned My holy name.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God addresses the Israelites through Moses, specifying the divine judgment that follows the execution of anyone who gives offspring to Molech.

The words — The text highlights אֶתֵּ֤ן ('e.Ten), meaning "I will set," paired with פָּנַ/י֙ (pa.Na/i), meaning "face/my," to describe God's directed opposition. It also uses וְ/הִכְרַתִּ֥י (ve./hikh.ra.Ti), translated "and I will cut off," to denote removal from the community.

The thread — The declaration of defiling the sanctuary and profaning God's holy name connects to Leviticus 18:21, which links Molech sacrifice with profaning God's name. The pattern of God setting His face against covenant violators also appears in Leviticus 17:10 regarding the consumption of blood.

Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that idolatry directly attacks God's dwelling and reputation, requiring immediate community obedience. It establishes that covenant violation triggers both divine judgment and human execution.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

Cross-references

Leviticus 18:21 You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 17:10 If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people.
Ezekiel 5:11 Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, because you have defiled My sanctuary with all your detestable idols and abominations, I Myself will withdraw My favor; I will not look upon you with pity, nor will I spare you.
Ezekiel 23:38 They have also done this to Me: On that very same day, they defiled My sanctuary and profaned My Sabbaths.
Leviticus 15:31 You must keep the children of Israel separate from their uncleanness, so that they do not die by defiling My tabernacle, which is among them.
Numbers 19:20 But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.
Ezekiel 20:39 And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.
2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”