4 If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death,
4 And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:
4 And if the people of the land do at all close their eyes to that man when he gives one of his children to Molech, and do not put him to death,
4 If the people of the land look the other way as if nothing had happened when that man gives his child to the god Molech and fail to kill him,
4 And if the people of the land should in any way hide their eyes from the man, when he gives some of his descendants to Molech, and they do not kill him,
4 And if the people of the community ignore those who offer their children to Molech and refuse to execute them,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 20:4
Commentary on Leviticus 20:1-9
(Read Leviticus 20:1-9)
Are we shocked at the unnatural cruelty of the ancient idolaters in sacrificing their children? We may justly be so. But are there not very many parents, who, by bad teaching and wicked examples, and by the mysteries of iniquity which they show their children, devote them to the service of Satan, and forward their everlasting ruin, in a manner even more to be lamented? What an account must such parents render to God, and what a meeting will they have with their children at the day of judgment! On the other hand, let children remember that he who cursed father or mother was surely put to death. This law Christ confirmed. Laws which were made before are repeated, and penalties annexed to them. If men will not avoid evil practices, because the law has made these practices sin, and it is right that we go on that principle, surely they should avoid them when the law has made them death, from a principle of self-preservation. In the midst of these laws comes in a general charge, Sanctify yourselves, and be ye holy. It is the Lord that sanctifies, and his work will be done, though it be difficult. Yet his grace is so far from doing away our endeavours, that it strongly encourages them. Work out your salvation, for it is God that worketh in you.