Leviticus - 20:4

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4 If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person, when he gives of his seed to Molech, and don't put him to death;

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Leviticus 20:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:
And if the people at the land do at all hide their eyes from that man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and put him not to death;
And if the people of the land neglecting, and as it were little regarding my commandment, let alone the man that hath given of his seed to Moloch, and will not kill him:
And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from that man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and put him not to death:
'And if the people of the land really hide their eyes from that man, in his giving of his seed to the Molech, so as not to put him to death,
And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he gives of his seed to Molech, and kill him not:
And if the people of the land do not take note of that man when he gives his offspring to Molech, and do not put him to death,
If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person, when he gives of his offspring to Molech, and do not put him to death;
But if the people of the land, having been neglectful and holding little regard for my authority, release the man who has given from his seed to Moloch, and they are not willing to kill him,
Quod si abscondendo absconderit populus terrae oculos suos a viro illo quando dabit ex semine suo Moloch, non interficiendo illum;

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And if the (c) people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:
(c) Though the people be negligent to do their duty, and defend God's right, yet he will not allow wickedness to go unpunished.

And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man,.... That is, the people of the house of Israel, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; if the friends, relations, and neighbours of such a man, though they know what he is about to do, or has done, yet they shut their eyes wilfully, or look another way; or, however, wink and connive at his wickedness, and will not discover him, and bear witness against him; or if a court of judicature, before whom he comes, does not take the evidence of his crime, nor condemn for it, or are negligent in punishing him as the law directs, a gift having blinded their eyes, or they careless and remiss in their duty:
when he giveth his seed unto Molech; a crime so heinous and abominable:
and kill him not; do not bring witness against him, so as that he may be put to death, or do not upon the evidence given condemn him to death, or do not take care to have sentence executed, by stoning him to death.

If the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, &c.--that is, connive at their countrymen practising the horrid rites of Molech. Awful was it that any Hebrew parents could so violate their national covenant, and no wonder that God denounced the severest penalties against them and their families.

If the people, however (the people of the land), should hide their eyes from him (on the dagesh in חעלּם and יעלּימוּ see the note on Leviticus 4:13-21), from an unscrupulous indifference or a secret approval of his sin, the Lord would direct His face against him and his family, and cut him off with all that went a whoring after him.

Hide their eyes - Wink at his fault, and forbear to accuse and punish him.

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