Westminster Annotations, Leviticus · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX.
Vers. 2. STrangers] In faults and penalties for ceremoniall matters. By strangers are to be understood Proselytes, or Converts; as Chap. 17. vers. 15. but for morall, and capitall crimes and punishments, (especially such as was the service of Molech) the word Stranger, might comprehend all Aliens from the Common-weale of Israel, whether Converts or no.
Molech] By Molech here are meant all kinde of Idols; of Molech in particular, see Annot. on Chap. 18. vers. 21.
V. 3. defile my Sanctuary] Though Molech was not honoured either in the Tabernacle, or Temple, which were the Sanctuaries of the Lord; the former in Moses time, the latter from Solomons time; yet his Sanctuary was defiled, and defamed, when the people of his Covenant rejecting that, revolted to Idolatry; or with that, did exercise Idolatry in other places, and then came with polluted hearts and hands, to worship in his Sanctuary: as Jer. 7. 9, 10. And so for the like reasons his Name is said to be profaned. See Annot. on Chap. 18. vers. 21.
V. 4. bide their eyes] Though the people be negligent in their dutie, to defend Gods right, yet he will not suffer wickednesse to goe unpunished: or if men know it not, or could not legally convince the offender, by evident proofes, God himselfe will both finde him out, and cut him off.
V. 5. against his family] By family in the generall, may be meant any one of the same Nation; as neighbour in the ninth Commandement is meant not onelyonly he that dwels nigh us, but any one with whom we have to doe: or more particularly, his kindred, who either by conformitie to his practise, or connivence at his sinne, might contract to themselves a participation of guilt.
cut him off] By some divine vengeance, if the hand of man, by course of justice, doe not avenge the quarrell of my Covenant, by putting him to death.
V. 8. will sanctifie you] In the precedent verse, they are commanded to sanctifie themselves so farre, as by using outward meanes and helps they may become good, and doe good, and shunue sinne; but it is God that worketh the inherent holinesse of the heart, and outwardly sanctifieth, and separateth them by holy observations from other people, vers. 24. 26. & Chap. 22. vers. 9.
V. 9. that curseth] By cursing is meant all manner of reviling, or reproaching of naturall parents. See Exod. 21. v. 17.
put to death] It is like, by stoning, as Deut. 21. vers. 20, 21. which punishment, for more reproach, was, as some observe, inflicted on them stripped of their clothing.
his bloud shall be upon him] That is, the guilt of his owne bloud, which, but for his sinne, would not have beene shed in this case.
V. 10. the adulterer and the adultresse shall surely be put to death] Both are faulty in the sinne, therefore both must fall by the punishment, which was equall, though the sinne were unequall; for in some respects the man might be the greater sinner, as if he acted the Devils part to tempt the woman; and in this respect the womans sinne might be the greater, because by adultery she might steale in a falle heire to the estate of her husband; and because it was neither lawfull, nor tolerated for one woman to have the use of many men, as it was for a time tolerated for one man to have the use of many women: yet which so ever sinned least deserved death; and there was not so much severitie in inflicting death upon that degree, as mercy in laying no more weight of punishment upon the greater guilt.
V. 11. fathers nakednesse] See Annot. on Chap. 18. v. 8.
V. 14. it is wickednesse] That is, an execrable and detestable degree of wickednesse.
V. 16. and the beast] Though beasts cannot commit sinne, (because the law of holinesse is not given to them) yet such is Gods hatred against it, that he punisheth the appurtenances unto it, to make it as odious unto men, as it is to himselfe; and to take away the memoriall of so abominable a villany, the offender and his partner in that impuritie must be taken away by fire, that nothing may remaine of them.
V. 17. in the …ight] That others may see, and feare, what the guiltie doe feele; which is the chiefe end of such open and exemplary punishments.
se… her] The sense of seeing in regard of the excellency, and certaintie of it, is put many times for other senses; as Exod. 20. 18. Rev. 1. 12. for hearing, and here for touching.
V. 18. in her sicknesse] That is, in her monethly infirmitie.
fountaine] Or, issue. For of the same thing, the phrase is so varied, Mark. 5. 29. Luk. 8. 44.
both] This seemes to be too severe a sentence, if such a thing were done of ignorance; therefore it is probable, this punishment was the reward of a witting and willing transgression.
cut off] See Annot. on vers. 5.
V. 19. beare their iniquitie] When God will not beare with them, but bringeth the reward of their sin upon them.
V. 20. childlesse] Either their lives were to be cut off before they became parents, by the severitie of this Decree, or God would not blesse their bed with successefull conception: Or, if they had children, they should out-live them, and die childlesse, vers. 21. and if their children lived, they should be reputed as bastards, and not numbred among the Israelites.