Leviticus 24:12

12 They put him in custody, that it might be declared to them at the mouth of the LORD.

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 The son of an Yisra'elite woman, whose father was a Mitzrian, went out among the children of Yisra'el; and the son of the Yisra'elite woman and a man of Yisra'el strove together in the camp:

11 and the son of the Yisra'elite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moshe. His mother's name was Shelomit, the daughter of Divri, of the tribe of Dan.

12 They put him in custody, that it might be declared to them at the mouth of the LORD.

13 The LORD spoke to Moshe, saying,

14 Bring forth him who has cursed outside of the camp; and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.