Leviticus 24:12

12 They kept him in custody until the LORD told them what to do.

Leviticus 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 24:12

And they put him in ward
In some prison, a place known in the camp, as Aben Ezra observes: that the mind of the Lord might be shewed them;
for, though this was a breach of the third command, in which God declares he would not hold such an one guiltless, ( Exodus 20:7 ) ; yet no particular punishment being expressed, it was not a clear case whether the Lord would punish for it himself, by an immediate stroke of his hand, or whether by the civil magistrate; and if by the latter, in what manner; for though it might be concluded, without any hesitation, that he was worthy of death, since cursing father or mother was death, ( Exodus 21:17 ) ( Leviticus 20:9 ) ; and much more blaspheming God, yet what death to put him to they might be at a loss about; or if that was understood of stoning, they might think this deserved a sorer punishment, and therefore consulted God about it.

Leviticus 24:12 In-Context

10 A man, whose mother was Shelomith (daughter of Dibri, from the tribe of Dan in Israel) and whose father was from Egypt, got into a quarrel with an Israelite in the camp.

11 The Israelite woman's son began cursing the LORD's name and treating it with contempt. So they brought him to Moses.

12 They kept him in custody until the LORD told them what to do.

13 The LORD spoke to Moses,

14 "The man who cursed [my name] must be taken outside the camp. All who heard him curse [my name] must lay their hands on his head. Then the whole congregation must stone him to death.