Single lesson
The Blasphemy Case in the Camp
Leviticus 24:10–16
A quarrel in the camp became a serious case, and Moses waited for the Lord to make the judgement clear.
Before you teach
In Israel’s camp, two men quarrelled with each other. One was the son of an Israelite woman, and his father was an Egyptian. During the dispute, this man blasphemed the Name and cursed. The people brought him to Moses. The passage also names his mother as Shelomith, daughter of Dibri, from the tribe of Dan. They kept the man in custody until the Lord’s decision would be made known.
Explain the central teaching of The Blasphemy Case in the Camp, using two details from the reading. A quarrel in the camp became a serious case, and Moses waited for the Lord to make the judgement clear.
Welcome: The Blasphemy Case in the Camp
5 minIntroduce “The Blasphemy Case in the Camp” and locate Leviticus 24:10–16. A quarrel in the camp became a serious case, and Moses waited for the Lord to make the judgement clear. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Leviticus 24:10, Leviticus 24:13, Leviticus 24:16
Read and explain the passage
12 minIn Israel’s camp, two men quarrelled with each other. One was the son of an Israelite woman, and his father was an Egyptian. During the dispute, this man blasphemed the Name and cursed.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses. The man who had cursed was to be taken outside the camp. Those who had heard him were to lay their hands on his head, and then all the congregation was to stone him.
This judgement did not change from one group to another. The foreigner and the native-born were under the same penalty in this matter. The people waited for God’s ruling before acting. Why do you think that mattered in such a serious case?
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Blasphemy Case in the Camp”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Leviticus 24:10, Leviticus 24:11, Leviticus 24:14, Leviticus 24:16
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““The people brought him to Moses.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. A quarrel in the camp became a serious case, and Moses waited for the Lord to make the judgement clear. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Leviticus 24:11, Leviticus 24:12, Leviticus 24:10, Leviticus 24:14, Leviticus 24:16
Make and respond: Choices and outcomes evidence map
12 minWork on “The Blasphemy Case in the Camp: Choices and outcomes evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Blasphemy Case in the Camp” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Leviticus 24:10, Leviticus 24:13, Leviticus 24:16
Closing: return to The Blasphemy Case in the Camp
3 minRevisit Leviticus 24:10–16. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Blasphemy Case in the Camp and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Leviticus 24:10, Leviticus 24:13, Leviticus 24:16
Questions to explore
“The people brought him to Moses.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
The people brought him to Moses. The passage also names his mother as Shelomith, daughter of Dibri, from the tribe of Dan. They kept the man in custody until the Lord’s decision would be made known.
Leviticus 24:11, Leviticus 24:12, Leviticus 24:10
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “Then the Lord spoke to Moses.”?
Then the Lord spoke to Moses. The man who had cursed was to be taken outside the camp. Those who had heard him were to lay their hands on his head, and then all the congregation was to stone him.
Leviticus 24:14, Leviticus 24:16, Leviticus 24:11
Why do you think that mattered in such a serious case?
This judgement did not change from one group to another. The foreigner and the native-born were under the same penalty in this matter. The people waited for God’s ruling before acting.
Leviticus 24:16, Leviticus 24:10, Leviticus 24:11
Make, think or respond
The Blasphemy Case in the Camp: Choices and outcomes evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Words or actions”, “What happens next”, “Verse reference”.
- Read Leviticus 24:10–16. Use “The Blasphemy Case in the Camp” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Compare two actions or statements in the account and explain their different outcomes.
The finished sheet keeps the details of The Blasphemy Case in the Camp connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “The Blasphemy Case in the Camp” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Leviticus 24:10–16. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Leviticus 24:10–16. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Leviticus 24
10 The son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp.
11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.
12 They put him in custody until Yahweh’s will should be declared to them.
13 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
14 “Bring him who cursed out of the camp; and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
15 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin.
16 He who blasphemes Yahweh’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native-born shall be put to death when he blasphemes the Name.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.