Lev 24:11 | TNotes | STEP | 24:11 blasphemed . . . with a curse In biblical times, a name was more than a means of identification; it represented a person’s character, reputation, and origin. God is holy, and he was to be regarded as holy in all of Israel’s life (see 10:3 ). The Israelites had been instructed to treat God’s name with reverence (Exod 20:7 ). Using his name in a curse reflected a sinful attitude toward God himself (Lev 24:15 ), and it deserved death (24:13-16 ). The wording in the Hebrew text is very strong: Two verbs meaning “curse” are used, one that indicated a more formal type of curse, the other a blasphemous or irreverent expression. The two terms are synonymous in 24:15-16 . • the Name of the Lord : The Hebrew text refers simply to “the Name” to reflect care and reverence for God’s name.

cExod 20:7►

dLev 24:15►

e24:13-16►

f24:15-16►

‏ Leviticus 24:11

24:11 ^a blasphemed . . . with a curse In biblical times, a name was more than a means of identification; it represented a person’s character, reputation, and origin. God is holy, and he was to be regarded as holy in all of Israel’s life (see 10:3 ^b). The Israelites had been instructed to treat God’s name with reverence (Exod 20:7 ^c). Using his name in a curse reflected a sinful attitude toward God himself (Lev 24:15 ^d), and it deserved death (24:13-16 ^e). The wording in the Hebrew text is very strong: Two verbs meaning “curse” are used, one that indicated a more formal type of curse, the other a blasphemous or irreverent expression. The two terms are synonymous in 24:15-16 ^f.

• the Name of the Lord: The Hebrew text refers simply to “the Name” to reflect care and reverence for God’s name.