UTN uW Translation Notes:

Leviticus 20 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter lists punishments for various sins. The structure is:

1. Punishments for worshiping Molech (20:1–5)
2. Punishments for consulting spirits (20:6–8)
3. Punishments for cursing parents (20:9)
4. Punishments for sexual sins (20:10–21)
5. Call to holiness (20:22–27)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Capital punishment

The chapter prescribes death for many offenses. This shows:

• The community was responsible for carrying out punishment
• Public execution by stoning was the common method
• Both parties in sexual sins usually received the same punishment

Family honor

The chapter treats family relationships as sacred:

• Sexual relations between close relatives were forbidden
• Dishonoring parents was a serious offense
• Marriage boundaries protected family structures

Childlessness as punishment

Being “childless” or “dying without children” was seen as:

• A divine punishment
• The end of one’s family line
• A serious consequence for sexual sins

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Quotes within quotes

The chapter has many places where someone quotes what another person said. Your language may need different ways to show:

• When Yahweh speaks to Moses
• When Moses speaks to the people
• When they quote laws or commands

Euphemisms for sexual relations

The chapter uses several polite expressions for sexual activity:

• “Lie with” means “have sexual relations with”
• “Take a wife” can mean either “marry” or “have relations with”
• “Uncover nakedness” means “have sexual relations with”
• “See nakedness” means “have sexual relations with”

Metaphors and idioms

The chapter uses several expressions that need careful translation:

• “His blood is on him” means “he is responsible for his own death”
• “Cut off from among their people” means “removed from the community”
• “The land will vomit you out” means “God will force you to leave the land”
• “Walk in their statutes” means “follow their customs”

Repeated words for emphasis

Some phrases repeat words to show importance:

• “Man man” means “any person”
• “Dying he shall die” means “he must certainly be executed”
• “Stranger who sojourns” means “any foreigner living among you”