Leviticus 24:16
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While this verse seems to focus on severe punishment, the truly striking part is its universality: anyone within the community, whether a foreigner or a native-born Israelite, was held accountable for blaspheming God's name. This highlights how God's sacredness and the sanctity of His Name were central to the identity of the entire community, not just a select few.
Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse follows immediately after a story of a man who cursed God's name. The community, unsure of how to handle such a profound offense, brought the case to Moses and God. Now, God provides a direct and severe penalty: anyone, whether an Israelite or a foreigner living among them, who curses the sacred Name of the LORD is to be put to death by the community.
Ever wondered what 'blasphemy' really means in a biblical context? It’s a word that carries immense weight, especially when it concerns God’s holy name.
Leviticus 24:16 lays out a severe consequence for blaspheming the name of the LORD: death by stoning. But what exactly is blasphemy?
What It Is
Blasphemy isn't just about uttering curse words. The ancient Hebrew word, often translated as 'blaspheme,' can mean to pierce, transfix, or speak contemptuously. It's about treating God’s name, His character, His ways, or His works with utter disrespect and disdain. It’s a direct assault on God’s honor and essence.
The Core Issue
The intense penalty highlights that this wasn't a minor offense. It was about protecting the holiness of God and the covenant relationship He had established with His people. When God's name was defiled, it was seen as defiling the entire community and their sacred trust. This shows the profound reverence God expects for Himself.
In ancient Israel, who was expected to respect God's name? This verse gives a surprising answer that extends beyond just the Israelites.
The text is crystal clear: '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.'
The Stranger
This means that even foreigners, sojourners, or Gentiles living among the Israelites were held to this standard. While they may not have been obligated to follow every single Mosaic law, disrespecting the name of the God of Israel was a capital offense. By living within the community, they were implicitly under its covenant laws, especially concerning the sanctity of the LORD's name.
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The Native-Born
For the Israelites, this was an even more profound obligation. As God's chosen people, their allegiance and reverence were foundational. Blasphemy from within was a betrayal of their covenant relationship.
The Purpose
This inclusivity served a vital purpose: to demonstrate the absolute sovereignty of the LORD over all people within Israel's sphere and to instill a deep, communal awe and respect for His name.
When someone committed this grave offense, who carried out the punishment? The answer reveals a powerful truth about community and God's honor.
Leviticus 24:16 states, 'All the congregation shall stone him.' This wasn't a task for a select few, but a collective action.
Shared Duty
The entire community's involvement in carrying out the punishment was crucial. It wasn't just about penalizing an individual; it was a public declaration of the community's commitment to God's holiness and justice. It demonstrated their collective zeal for God's honor and their abhorrence of blasphemy.
Instilling Awe
This communal act served as a stark warning. By seeing such a severe consequence carried out by the whole assembly, everyone would be reminded of the gravity of blasphemy and the fear they ought to have for the LORD's name. It was a way to ensure that God's holiness was held in the highest regard by all.
A Glimpse of God's Heart
While the penalty is severe to our modern sensibilities, it reflects God's absolute intolerance for anything that dishonors Him and His deep desire for His name to be revered.
Understand the original words
naqab · Hebrew Verb
To speak with contempt, revile, or show irreverence toward God's character or holy name; it is a serious violation of the holiness of God.
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God, revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people.
edah · Hebrew Noun
A formal assembly of the covenant people of Israel, often gathered for religious or judicial purposes under God’s law.
ger · Hebrew Noun
A foreigner or non-Israelite residing within the land of Israel who is subject to the moral and civil laws of the covenant community.
This psalm directly questions how long the enemy will reproach God's name, echoing the deep concern for God's honor that Leviticus 24:16 addresses with severe penalty.
Matthew 12:31-32Jesus speaks of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as unforgivable, highlighting the extreme seriousness of speaking against God, which Leviticus also emphasizes through capital punishment.
Romans 2:24Paul quotes the Old Testament, stating that 'the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,' showing that the honor of God's name is a concern that extends beyond Israel and impacts how others perceive God.
1 Peter 4:14This passage suggests that if believers suffer for being Christians, they bring glory to God, contrasting with the severe judgment for blaspheming God's name, emphasizing the importance of honoring God in all circumstances.
gillLeviticus 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."
And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord,.... Or, "but he that blasphemeth", &c. from whence the Jews gather, that the name Jehovah must be expressed, or it is no blasphemy; so Jarchi; but it is not bare using or expressing th…
ellicottLeviticus 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."
(16) And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord. —Better, And he that curseth the name of the Lord. The case is, however, different when it is the God of Israel. It is henceforth to be the law that whosoever curses Jehovah is to…
While this verse seems to focus on severe punishment, the truly striking part is its universality: anyone within the community, whether a foreigner or a native-born Israelite, was held accountable for blaspheming God's name. This highlights how God's sacredness and the sanctity of His Name were central to the identity of the entire community, not just a select few.
This verse follows immediately after a story of a man who cursed God's name. The community, unsure of how to handle such a profound offense, brought the case to Moses and God. Now, God provides a direct and severe penalty: anyone, whether an Israelite or a foreigner living among them, who curses the sacred Name of the LORD is to be put to death by the community.
This verse follows immediately after a story of a man who cursed God's name. The community, unsure of how to handle such a profound offense, brought the case to Moses and God. Now, God provides a direct and severe penalty: anyone, whether an Israelite or a foreigner living among them, who curses the sacred Name of the LORD is to be put to death by the community.
"Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death." — While this verse seems to focus on severe punishment, the truly striking part is its universality: anyone within the community, whether a foreigner or a native-born Israelite, was held accountable…
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Last reviewed October 2026
