64. Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:10-16)

• Jun, 23 2025

Blasphemy in Biblical Law: Authority, Judgment, and Covenant Faithfulness (Leviticus 24:10–16)The Case of the Blasphemer: Context and Significance Leviticus 24:10–16 tells the story of a man—the son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian father—who blasphemes the name of the LORD during a dispute in the Israelite camp. This leads to his arrest and divine consultation, followed by the clear command from God that he be executed by stoning, with witnesses laying hands on him as a sign of their testimony and the community's responsibility (v. 14).This event is often criticized as an example of “biblical primitivism,” but Rushdoony turns the discussion to its true theological core: authority and covenant law. The man’s blasphemy was not mere profanity but a direct assault on God’s sovereignty, a denial of His covenantal lordship.Blasphemy as Rebellion Against Divine Authority Blasphemy, from the Hebrew naqab, means to puncture, pierce, or revile—a form of spiritual warfare. It is not simply “bad language” but an intentional attack on God’s name, character, and authority. The man’s half-Israelite status likely contributed to his claim of independence from the covenant community, sparking questions about his legal standing. But the divine response made clear: God’s law applies equally to strangers and natives (v. 16).Key takeaways include:Blasphemy is a denial of holiness and of the binding nature of God’s law. The act was public and intentional, requiring communal accountability. God affirmed that His justice is impartial and universal. This reinforces the foundational truth of biblical justice: no person, native or foreigner, is above God’s law when living under His governance.Respect for God’s Authority Preserves All AuthorityRushdoony explains that blasphemy undermines the basis of all societal order. Where God’s authority is denied, all other forms of legitimate authority eventually collapse. This leads to the rise of authoritarian states that replace godly justice with arbitrary power. As he writes:“Where respect for the authority of God and His word is gone, then soon all authority is eroded.” In this light, blasphemy is not a marginal sin—it is a foundational rejection of covenant law, leading to:Moral relativism Civil disorder Loss of justice and shared values Blasphemy is the starting point of societal decay; honoring God is the beginning of righteous governance and justice.The Role of Witnesses and Public Justice The command for witnesses to lay hands on the blasphemer’s head (v. 14) signifies communal responsibility. The community does not act in private vengeance but follows divinely ordained justice, with the entire assembly participating. This mirrors other uses of the laying on of hands in Scripture: for ordination, blessing, healing, or transferring guilt (Lev. 1:4).This legal structure:Prevents mob justice Ensures careful trial and deliberation Places guilt on the offender, not the executors of judgment Modern society, by contrast, often replaces public justice with therapeutic interventions, minimizing personal responsibility and divine accountability.Modern Parallels: Humanist Blasphemy and CensorshipRushdoony draws attention to a modern form of blasphemy law—not against God, but against the humanistic sacred cow of protected classes and ideologies. Today, criticism of certain groups is legally or socially punished as though it were blasphemy, even when factually supported.This shift reflects:The replacement of divine authority with ideological orthodoxy The erosion of free speech under the guise of tolerance The rise of man-centered “sacred” values over God’s truth Otto Scott calls this the rise of humanistic blasphemy laws, in which facts about crime, social behavior, or morality are censored when they challenge politically dominant narratives.Conclusion: Why Blasphemy Law Still Matters Blasphemy, rightly understood, is not about religious hypersensitivity. It is about defending the integrity of God’s revealed authority, the very foundation of law, order, and justice. The story in Leviticus 24 shows that:God takes His name, authority, and covenant seriously Blasphemy is not tolerated among His people Justice applies to all—native and foreigner alike If a society begins by profaning God, it will soon profane human life, justice, and liberty. The loss of reverence for divine authority is the root cause of moral and cultural collapse. As Psalm 11:3 asks, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”SEO Keywords: Leviticus 24 blasphemy, biblical blasphemy law, death penalty for blasphemy, Rushdoony Leviticus, covenant law and justice, God's authority in society, divine law and foreigners, laying on of hands in the Bible, blasphemy and social order, biblical justice system, modern blasphemy laws, Christian view on profanity, authority of God vs. state power.Let me know if you'd like a compiled summary of Chapters 64–68 for a single post, ebook, or study guide.

Author

R.J. Rushdoony

Chalcedon Founder

Narrated by

Nathan F. Conkey

Narrator, teacher, missionary