Then they put him in custody, waiting for Moses to give them a clear decision in accordance with the command of the Lord.
Parallel translations
- WEB They put him in custody, until Yahweh’s will should be declared to them.
- KJV And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.
- BSB They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them.
- NKJV Then they put him in custody, that the mind of the Lord might be shown to them.
- NLT They kept the man in custody until the Lord’s will in the matter should become clear to them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The blasphemer was held in custody until God's will on the matter was revealed. Israel waited for God's verdict rather than acting rashly.
Overview
Rather than rushing to punishment, the people detained the man and sought a clear word from the LORD. This restraint models submission to God's judgment instead of human impulse. It reflects the principle that justice belongs ultimately to God, who alone defines righteousness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Exod 18:15–16Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.
- Num 27:5Moses brought their cause before Yahweh.
- Num 36:5–6Moses commanded the children of Israel according to Yahweh’s word, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks right.
- Num 15:34They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.
- Exod 18:23If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”
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Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 24:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.