What is the meaning of Leviticus 20:27? A man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist • God singles out “a man or a woman,” showing that no one is exempt from accountability (cf. Numbers 15:30). • A “medium” or “spiritist” seeks information through the dead or demonic spirits in direct defiance of God’s revelation (Leviticus 19:31: “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them”). • The Lord labels these practices “detestable” in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and forbids Israel to imitate the surrounding nations. • 1 Samuel 28 illustrates the danger when Saul consults the medium of Endor and is condemned. • In the New Testament, sorcery remains condemned (Acts 19:19; Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8). God alone is to be sought for guidance (Isaiah 8:19). must surely be put to death • The double emphasis (“must surely”) underscores the offense’s gravity under Israel’s theocratic covenant (Exodus 22:18). • The penalty matches the principle that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). • Like idolatry or false prophecy (Deuteronomy 13:5), occult involvement threatened the entire community’s holiness (Leviticus 20:26). • While civil penalties differ today (Romans 13:1-4), the moral seriousness remains: spiritual rebellion earns spiritual death unless forgiven through Christ (Colossians 2:13-15). They shall be stoned • Stoning involved the community, making each person uphold God’s standard (Deuteronomy 17:2-7). • Public execution deterred others (Deuteronomy 13:11) and removed evil from among them (Joshua 7:25). • The method also signaled that the people—not a lone executioner—affirmed God’s verdict (John 8:5 cites this legal tradition). • Under the new covenant, the church practices spiritual discipline, not physical stoning, yet still guards purity (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). their blood is upon them • The guilty party, not the executioners, bears responsibility (Ezekiel 18:20: “The soul who sins is the one who will die”). • By choosing occult practices, they invoke covenant curses upon themselves (Deuteronomy 29:18-20). • This phrase echoes Genesis 9:6, affirming just retribution. • James 1:14-15 reminds believers that sin’s consequences arise from one’s own desire; Christ alone removes guilt (1 John 1:7). summary Leviticus 20:27 teaches that dabbling in the occult is open rebellion against God. In Israel’s theocracy that rebellion earned capital punishment, underscoring the holiness God demands and the danger such practices posed to the community. Though Christ has fulfilled the Law and we no longer enforce these civil penalties, the moral principle endures: God forbids all forms of mediumship and sorcery. Believers avoid every occult influence, seek guidance only from the Lord, and rejoice that Jesus’ blood—not ours—covers sin and grants life. |
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