Leviticus 20:3I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people because he has given of his seed to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
The setting
Sinai wilderness, ~1445 BC. God explains why child sacrifice brings His personal opposition — it defiles His dwelling place among Israel and profanes His reputation among nations. Modern-day Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.
The emotion here: trembling as he records God's personal promise of judgment against child murderers
The original word
natati (נָתַתִּי) — I will set, a deliberate act of divine opposition, not emotional reaction
Why it matters
Being 'cut off' meant excommunication from Israel's covenant community, losing all protection and blessing
Read with care
What most readers miss in Leviticus 20:3
God takes it personally when His people practice child sacrifice because it ruins His reputation among watching nations
Common misconceptionPeople think 'God setting His face against' someone means permanent rejection, but it's corrective judgment leading to repentance.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Leviticus 20:3
Bible Genome reading
Leviticus 20:3 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Leviticus 20:3 comes from the book of Leviticus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine judgment, holiness. Notable phrases: set my face against; cut him off. This verse contains a promise of God.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Leviticus 20:3 mean to you, today?
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