King James Version

What Does Leviticus 24:10 Mean?

Leviticus 24:10 in the King James Version says “And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian , went out among the children of Israel : and this son...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian , went out among the children of Israel : and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;”

Leviticus 24:10 · KJV

Context

8

Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.

9

And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

10

And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian , went out among the children of Israel : and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;

11

And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)

12

And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. that: Heb. to expound unto them according to the mouth of the LORD

Read Leviticus 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;

This verse falls within the section on Oil, Bread, and Blasphemy. Instructions for tabernacle maintenance and the account of a blasphemer's punishment, showing reverence for God's name.


Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Instructions for tabernacle maintenance and the account of a blasphemer's punishment, showing reverence for God's name. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?
  2. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֵּצֵא֙1 of 17

“went out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בֶּ֚ן2 of 17

“And the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אִשָּׁ֣ה3 of 17

“woman”

H802

a woman

הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֔ית4 of 17

“of an Israelitish”

H3482

a jisreelitess or female descendant of jisrael

וְהוּא֙5 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בֶּ֚ן6 of 17

“And the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְאִ֖ישׁ7 of 17

“was an Egyptian”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִצְרִ֔י8 of 17
H4713

a mitsrite, or inhabitant of mitsrajim

בְּת֖וֹךְ9 of 17

“among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בֶּ֚ן10 of 17

“And the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל11 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיִּנָּצוּ֙12 of 17

“strove together”

H5327

properly, to go forth, i.e., (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) desolate; causatively, to lay waste; also (specifically), to quarrel

בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה13 of 17

“in the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

בֶּ֚ן14 of 17

“And the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִ֔ית15 of 17

“of an Israelitish”

H3482

a jisreelitess or female descendant of jisrael

וְאִ֖ישׁ16 of 17

“was an Egyptian”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִֽי׃17 of 17
H3481

a jisreelite or descendant of jisrael

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 24:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 24:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 11:4Exodus 12:38

Test Your Knowledge

Leviticus 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLeviticus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Leviticus 24 with CommentaryAll Leviticus ChaptersComplete Leviticus QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes