Leviticus 20:3

Afrikaans 1933/1953

En Ek sal my aangesig teen die man rig en sal hom uitroei onder sy volk uit; want hy het van sy kinders aan Molog gegee om my heiligdom te verontreinig en my heilige Naam te ontheilig.

What Does This Mean?

This verse is about God's response to someone who gives their children to Molech, a pagan god. God says He will cut off that person from their community because this act defiles God's sanctuary and profanes His holy name.

Explained for Children

Imagine if someone gave their favorite toy to a mean monster, thinking it would make the monster happy. But giving the toy away is bad because it hurts others and makes your family sad. In this case, God is upset because someone did something very wrong that hurt the community and made God's name sound bad.

Historical Background

This verse is part of the Levitical laws, written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It was meant for the Israelites to follow as a guide for how to live holy lives before God. The cultural context involves the Israelites avoiding the worship practices of neighboring pagan cultures.

Living It Out Today

In today's world, this verse reminds us of the importance of not participating in practices that go against God's commandments. For example, if someone is pressured to join a group or activity that goes against their faith, they should resist to avoid causing harm to their community and to God's name.

Topics

• worship
• sanctity
• idolatry
• community
• God's judgment
• faithfulness

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 18:10
• 2 Kings 23:10
• 1 Chronicles 8:35
• Jeremiah 32:35
• Psalm 97:7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Molech?

Molech was a pagan god worshiped by the ancient Ammonites, known for the practice of child sacrifice.

Why is defiling the sanctuary so serious?

The sanctuary was a sacred place where God's presence was thought to dwell, and defiling it was seen as a direct affront to God, undermining the holiness of the place and God's name.

How does this verse apply to Christians today?

Christians today are called to avoid practices that align with false gods or that harm the community, just as the Israelites were to avoid worshiping Molech.

What does 'cut off' mean in this context?

'Cut off' typically refers to exclusion from the community, often understood as a severe punishment, reflecting the seriousness of the offense against God and the community.