The Blasphemy Case in the Camp

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.

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.

The Lord also told Moses how to speak to the children of Israel about this case. Whoever cursed his God would bear his sin. Anyone who blasphemed the Lord’s name was to be put to death.

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?