Leviticus 20 (KJV)
Read Leviticus chapter 20 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Leviticus 20
Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter
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Leviticus 20 Summary
Leviticus 20 prescribes penalties for violations outlined in chapters 18-19, including child sacrifice, occult practices, adultery, and sexual sins. The severity of penalties reflected the seriousness with which God viewed these offenses.
The chapter repeatedly calls Israel to be holy — set apart — because God Himself is holy. The connection between divine holiness and human conduct is the heartbeat of Leviticus.
Key Themes
Consequences for SinHolinessJusticeSeparation from Pagan Practices
Key Verses in Leviticus 20
"And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine."
— Leviticus 20:26
Summarizes the entire purpose of Israel's moral and ceremonial law.
Life Application
Holiness has consequences — both positive and negative. Choose to live set apart, not because of fear, but because you belong to a holy God who has claimed you as His own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the penalties so severe?
Israel was a theocratic nation where these sins directly threatened the covenant community's relationship with God and its survival as a distinct people.
Does God still require holiness?
Yes — while the civil penalties belonged to ancient Israel's government, God's call to holiness remains central to the Christian life (1 Peter 1:15-16).
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