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2014 February 2




Image 1: Comparative Diagrams of the Menorah and the Table of Showbread (Detail) - (Late 14th century)
Postillae Perpetuae in universam S. Scripturam: Commentary on Exodus 2
Nicholas of Lyra (c. 1270 - 1349)
Gothic Style
Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague, The Netherlands
Image Source: Bodleian Libraries of Oxford University; CB Menorah

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Image 2: Capaneus the Blasphemer
Illustration to The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri ( Inferno XIV, 46-72) - (1824-1827)

William Blake (1757-1827)
Symbolist and Romanticism Style
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: The first illustration above depicts the Menorah and the Showbread, the main Tabernacle elements discussed in the first part of chapter 24. The second illustration depicts a blasphemer -- the subject of the latter part of chapter 24.
     Leviticus 24 contains several laws concerning the Tabernacle and personal interactions. Apparently, while the LORD was giving commandments to Moses concerning the lighting and care of the Tabernacle's main candlestick, the Menorah (1-4), and the processing of the Showbread (5-9), a fight broke out between among the people, one of whom blasphemed the LORD and cursed, causing the people to bring the blasphemer to Moses (10-11). After this interruption, the blasphemer was put in ward to inquire of the LORD about how to handle this incident (12). This was a violation of the third commandment which says "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain (ESV)." This regulation, however, does not prescribe a penalty for this sin -- hence the need to inquire of the LORD to find out how he wanted this blasphemer treated. The LORD told Moses to execute the man by stoning him outside the camp (13-14). He also said that anyone who blasphemes the LORD is to be put to death whether he is a native Israelite or a stranger (15-16). The LORD also gave some additional, related, regulations. In relation to the death penalty, anyone who killed a man was to be put to death. But for killing a beast the penalty was to replace the beast. For causing an injury to a neighbor the penalty was to have the same done to him. In general, the laws for native born Israelites and for strangers was the same (17-22). After Moses received the law concerning the blasphemer and the other laws, the people took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him (23).


Leviticus 24

     1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. 3 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. 4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
     5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. 6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. 9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
     10 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; 11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.
     13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 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.
     17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. 18 And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. 19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; 20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. 21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death. 22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God. 23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.




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