What consequences are outlined in Leviticus 20:17 for violating God's laws on relationships? Text of Leviticus 20:17 “If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or his mother, and they see each other’s nakedness, it is a disgrace. They are to be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his guilt.” Immediate Consequences Named in the Verse • “Cut off in the sight of their people” • “He shall bear his guilt” • The act is labeled “a disgrace” What “Cut Off” Signifies • Removal from the covenant community—either sudden death by the hand of God, execution by the community (cf. Leviticus 20:2, 27), or permanent exile. • Public, not private: the penalty happens “in the sight of their people,” underscoring communal accountability (cf. Deuteronomy 17:7). • Links with other “cut off” passages: Leviticus 18:29; Exodus 31:14; Numbers 15:30–31. Bearing One’s Guilt • Personal responsibility: the offender cannot shift blame (cf. Ezekiel 18:20). • Endures the full weight of iniquity—temporal punishment now, eternal judgment unless atonement is secured (cf. Hebrews 10:26–27). • No sacrificial provision is mentioned for this sin in the Law, highlighting its gravity. Why the Penalty Is So Severe • Violates God’s created order for family purity (Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18:9). • Defiles the land and invites corporate judgment (Leviticus 18:24–30). • Protects the dignity of family members and future generations (Deuteronomy 27:22–23). Related Old Testament Parallels • Leviticus 20:11–12, 14 show similarly severe outcomes for incestuous or unlawful unions. • 2 Samuel 13:12–13 records Tamar’s plea against incest, affirming its disgrace. • Numbers 25:1–9 illustrates how sexual sin provoked plague until decisive action was taken. New Testament Echoes of the Principle • 1 Corinthians 5:1–5—incest in Corinth leads Paul to command removal of the offender, mirroring “cut off.” • Hebrews 12:16 warns believers not to be “sexually immoral or unholy like Esau,” showing continued moral expectation. • Ephesians 5:3—“But among you, as is proper among saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality.” Takeaway for Today God’s law treats family boundaries with utmost seriousness. The consequence—being cut off and bearing one’s guilt—underscores His holiness, the need for community purity, and the necessity of repentance and redemption through the finished work of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19). |
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