Leviticus 24:16

Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death; the whole assembly must surely stone him, whether he is a foreign resident or native; if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Leviticus 24:16 records God's command to Moses concerning a specific blasphemy case during the wilderness period. The text situates this decree immediately after the execution of a blasphemer and the preceding warning to Israel about cursing God.

The words — The Hebrew term נֹקֵב (no.Kev) denotes one who slanders, directly targeting the שֵׁם יְהוָה (shem Yahweh), or Name of Yahweh. The text specifies that the offender will certainly die (מוֹת יוּמָת, mot yumat) and be stoned by כָּל (kol), the whole assembly.

The thread — This decree establishes a boundary for blasphemy that later biblical writers reference when discussing spiritual offenses and the authority of God's name. The New Testament cites this tradition when addressing blasphemy against the Spirit (Matthew 12:31), the Jewish claim that Jesus was stoned for making Himself God (John 10:33), and the profaning of the Christian name (James 2:7).

Why it lands — The text explicitly commands capital punishment for cursing the divine Name and mandates collective execution by the assembly, applying equally to native Israelites and foreign residents. It requires the reader to recognize the absolute seriousness of dishonoring God's revealed identity and the communal responsibility to enforce that boundary.

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

וְנֹקֵ֤בve./no.Kevand/ [one who] slanders שֵׁם־shem-[the] name of יְהוָה֙Yah.wehYahweh מ֣וֹתMotcertainly <to die>יוּמָ֔תyu.Mathe will be put to death רָג֥וֹםra.Gomcertainly <to stone>יִרְגְּמוּ־yir.ge.mu-they will stoneב֖וֹv/o<in> <the>/ himכָּל־kol-all הָעֵדָ֑הha./'e.Dahthe/ congregation כַּגֵּר֙ka./Geras the/ sojourner כָּֽאֶזְרָ֔חka./'ez.Rachas the/ native-born בְּנָקְבוֹ־be./nak.v/o-when/ slanders/ he שֵׁ֖םshem[the] name יוּמָֽת׃yu.Mathe will be put to death

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Matthew 12:31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
John 10:33 “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”
James 2:7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?
Mark 3:28 Truly I tell you, the sons of men will be forgiven all sins and blasphemies, as many as they utter.
1 Timothy 1:13 I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
1 Kings 21:10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
Psalms 74:10 How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever?
Psalms 74:18 Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.
Psalms 139:20 who speak of You deceitfully; Your enemies take Your name in vain.