· Translation: KJV

Leviticus 20:5then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who play the prostitute after him, to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people.

The setting

Mount Sinai wilderness, ~1445 BC. God explains how spiritual compromise spreads through family systems like infection, near modern-day Saudi Arabia/Egypt border...

The emotion here: heavy-hearted but resolute, knowing families would be torn apart by this law

The original word

zanah (זנה) — to commit spiritual adultery, be unfaithful to covenant relationship

Why it matters

Molech worship was often a family business passed down through generations

Read with care

What most readers miss in Leviticus 20:5

The phrase 'set my face against' means God's active opposition, not passive abandonment

Common misconceptionPeople think this means innocent family members are punished for others' sins, but it's about those who participate in or enable the evil

Bible Genome reading

Leviticus 20:5 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerGod
Eraexodus
Primary emotionangry
Literary typelaw
MarkPromise of God

Emotional genome

Comfort power10%
Quotability30%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance90%
Standalone40%
Themes:spiritual adulteryfamily judgment

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Leviticus 20

Leviticus 20:5 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 spiritual adultery, family judgment. Notable phrases: set my face against; play the prostitute. This verse contains a promise of God.

Your reflection

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