And you are to tell the IsraelitesThis directive is given to Moses, emphasizing the importance of communication between God and His chosen people, the Israelites. It highlights the role of Moses as a mediator and leader. The Israelites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are in a covenant relationship with God, which includes specific laws and commandments. This phrase underscores the communal aspect of the law, as it is meant for the entire nation.
‘If anyone curses his God
Cursing God is a serious offense, reflecting a heart of rebellion and disrespect towards the Creator. In the ancient Near Eastern context, blasphemy was considered a grave sin, as it directly challenged the authority and holiness of God. This commandment is part of the broader Mosaic Law, which seeks to maintain the sanctity of God's name and character. The act of cursing God is not just a verbal offense but a reflection of one's inner disposition towards the divine.
he shall bear the consequences of his sin.
The phrase indicates personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions. In the context of Leviticus, the consequences often involved severe penalties, including death, as seen in the surrounding verses. This reflects the seriousness with which God views the holiness of His name and the importance of upholding His honor. The concept of bearing one's sin is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that sin has consequences that must be addressed, either through punishment or atonement. This principle is foundational to the sacrificial system and ultimately points to the need for a perfect atonement, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of humanity on the cross.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, to whom the laws and commandments were given through Moses. They are the primary audience of the instructions in Leviticus.
2.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Law from God and communicated it to the people.
3.
GodThe central figure in the passage, whose holiness and reverence are emphasized through the commandment against cursing Him.
4.
The CampThe setting where the Israelites lived during their journey through the wilderness, and where the laws were given and enforced.
5.
The BlasphemerAlthough not named in this specific verse, the context of
Leviticus 24 includes an incident involving a man who blasphemed the Name of God, prompting the establishment of this law.
Teaching Points
Reverence for God’s NameThe commandment underscores the importance of honoring God with our words. Our speech should reflect our reverence for His holiness.
Consequences of SinThe passage highlights that sin, particularly against God, carries consequences. This serves as a reminder of the seriousness of our actions and words.
Community StandardsThe law was given to the community of Israel, indicating that maintaining reverence for God is a collective responsibility. As believers, we are called to uphold and encourage godly standards within our communities.
Guarding Our SpeechThe passage challenges us to be mindful of our words, recognizing that they have the power to honor or dishonor God. We should strive to speak in ways that reflect our faith and respect for Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 24:15?
2.What does Leviticus 24:15 teach about the seriousness of blasphemy against God?
3.How can we apply the principle of reverence for God's name today?
4.What connections exist between Leviticus 24:15 and the Ten Commandments?
5.How does Leviticus 24:15 inform our understanding of God's holiness?
6.In what ways can we guard our speech to honor God's name?
7.What does Leviticus 24:15 reveal about the seriousness of blasphemy in biblical law?
8.How does Leviticus 24:15 reflect the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel?
9.Why is the punishment for blasphemy so severe in Leviticus 24:15?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 24?
11.What does it mean to commit blasphemy?
12.What was the Old Testament punishment for blasphemy?
13.What historical documentation supports or contradicts the swift execution of Naboth described in 1 Kings 21:13–14?
14.Does Job’s wife telling him to “curse God and die” contradict the concept of marital unity and support found elsewhere in Scripture? (Job 2:9)What Does Leviticus 24:15 Mean
And you are to tell the Israelites“Speak to the sons of Israel” underscores that God’s instruction is not a private suggestion but a public mandate.
• God’s word is delivered through an appointed mediator—here, Moses—mirroringExodus 19:3–6 where Israel is called a “kingdom of priests.”
• The whole nation is addressed, not merely leaders, reflectingDeuteronomy 6:6–9: every household must understand God’s standards.
• By commanding proclamation, the verse reminds us that silence about sin is never an option (Ezekiel 3:17–19).
If anyone curses his GodThe focus moves from the community to the individual.
• “Anyone” removes loopholes; no rank or heritage exempts a person (Romans 2:11).
• “Curses his God” is intentional, verbal contempt for the LORD, distinct from inadvertent misuse of His name (contrastNumbers 15:27–31).
• Blasphemy is treated as treason against Israel’s true King (Isaiah 33:22), explaining why the penalty is severe (Leviticus 24:16).
• The phrase stresses personal accountability before the covenant God, not a generic deity (Exodus 20:1–3).
he shall bear the consequences of his sinGod ties guilt to the sinner, emphasizing justice.
• “Shall bear” conveys certain, proportional recompense (Galatians 6:7).
• Sin’s penalty is not transferred to society or minimized by excuses; seeEzekiel 18:20.
• In Israel’s theocratic setting, the immediate consequence was capital punishment (Leviticus 24:16), foreshadowing the ultimate wages of sin—death (Romans 6:23).
• Yet even here, the verse prepares hearts for atonement: while the sinner must bear guilt, God later provides substitution through sacrifice (Isaiah 53:4–6;Hebrews 9:28).
summaryLeviticus 24:15 teaches that God commands His people to uphold His honor publicly, warns every individual against deliberate blasphemy, and guarantees just consequences for such sin. The verse spotlights God’s holiness, the seriousness of our words, and the personal accountability each person faces—truths that still call us to revere His name and trust the atoning work He graciously provides in Christ.
(15)
Whosoever curseth his God.--As Moses had to appeal to God for direction, the Lord has not only declared what should be done with this particular offender, but lays down a general law for the punishment of blasphemers. As the criminal who is the immediate occasion of this enactment is an Egyptian, directions are given, in the first place, about the treatment of Gentiles who temporarily sojourn among the Hebrews, and who have not as yet renounced their faith in their own God. If such a Gentile curses his own God in whom he still professes to believe, he shall bear his sin; he must suffer the punishment for his sin from the hands of his co-religionists, whose feelings he has outraged. The Israelites are not to interfere to save him from the consequence of his guilt; for a heathen who reviles the god in whom he believes is not to be trusted in other respects, and sets a bad example to others, who might be led to imitate his conduct.
Verses 15, 16. - In accordance with the judicial decision on the man is framed the general law against blasphemy and its penalty. It runs as follows:
Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him. It has been questioned whether two offenses or one are here contemplated, whether
cursing his God is one offense,
bearing his sin being its punishment, and
blaspheming the Name of the Lord another and greater offense, for which the punishment is
stoning; or whether the latter offense and punishment are a more specific statement of the offense and punishment which had only generally been described before. Those who take the first view point out that the present offender was an Egyptian, and urge that had he cursed
his God, that is, the Egyptian god or gods, he would only have had to bear his sin; but that as he had blasphemed the Name of Israel's God, Jehovah, he was to be stoned. The second explanation, however, is the truer one. The Scriptures recognize but one God, and he is the Lord Jehovah. Whoever curses him
shall bear his sin, that is, shall be guilty in such a way that his sin must be purged either by punishment or by sacrifice, and it is then further declared that this particular sin can be purged only by the death of the offender at the hand of the congregation.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And you are to tellתְּדַבֵּ֣ר(tə·ḏab·bêr)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduethe Israelites,בְּנֵ֥י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A son‘Ifכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionanyoneאִ֥ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personcursesיְקַלֵּ֥ל(yə·qal·lêl)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7043:To be slight, swift or triflinghis God,אֱלֹהָ֖יו(’ĕ·lō·hāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativehe shall bear the consequencesוְנָשָׂ֥א(wə·nā·śā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takeof his sin.חֶטְאֽוֹ׃(ḥeṭ·’ōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2399:A crime, its penalty
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OT Law: Leviticus 24:15 You shall speak to the children (Le Lv Lev.) 
