Leviticus 20 - Introduction

Leviticus 20:1-27. Various Laws with the Addition of Penalties for their Violation

For the relation between this ch. and those parts of ch. 18 which are kindred to it, see introd. note to the latter. The character stamped upon chs. 17 26 as the -Law of Holiness" is conspicuous in the hortatory framework introduced by the compiler (R h [66]), and resembling that of ch. 18.

[66] A Reviser who combined laws taken mainly from existing codes with a hortatory and warning element.

The ch. may be sub-divided thus: (1) Leviticus 20:1, laws bearing on religion; Molech worship and consultation with the unseen world; (2) Leviticus 20:8, laws bearing on immorality; unlawful marriages and unchastity; (3) Leviticus 20:22, hortatory conclusion; (4) Leviticus 20:27, punishment for offences mentioned in Leviticus 20:6.