How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #7
Say further to the people of Israel: Any of the people of Israel, or of the aliens who reside in Israel, who give any of their offspring to Molech shall be put to death; the people of the land shall stone them to death. (NRSV 20:2)
Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. (KJV 20:2)
Why is Israel's God so cheesed off by Molech in particular? Because of an offensive mash-up of human sacrifice to Molech with the worship of God. The seriousness of the crime is evident in God's command to stone the offender with stones, a far more painful punishment than stoning him with puppies.
Quote #8
If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall be subject to punishment; they shall die childless. If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. (NRSV 20:20-21)
And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. (KJV 20:20-21)
Since adultery is punishable by death, it appears that this law applies to having sex with your uncle's or brother's widow. God says that the punishment for this sin is childlessness. That's a pretty big deal in Israelite culture; why might it seem like a penalty fitting the crime?
Quote #9
And speak to the people of Israel, saying: Anyone who curses God shall bear the sin. One who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be put to death; the whole congregation shall stone the blasphemer. Aliens as well as citizens, when they blaspheme the Name, shall be put to death. (NRSV 24:15-16)
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death. (KJV 24:15-16)
In Israel, the name of God is the common bond that unites the people as a nation. Leviticus treats disrespecting God's name much in the same way that the U.S. Constitution treats treason, except in the Bible, the offender will actually get rocks pitched at his head.