For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death. They have cursed their own parents, so they are responsible for the consequences that follow.
This verse establishes that showing contempt or speaking evil against one's parents was considered such a serious offense that it carried the death penalty.
📚 Historical Context
This command was part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites as they formed their new society after leaving Egypt. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, honoring parents was fundamental to social stability and family structure. The severity of this punishment reflected how crucial respect for parents and family authority was in maintaining order in Israelite society.
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