20:1–27 The instruction here repeats many of the same points of chs. 18; 19 (for parallel verses, consult the cross-references), but with the addition of prescribed penalties. The death penalty is indicated for many offenses, pointing to the horror with which God viewed them (cf. Rom. 1:18–32). In other cases divine penalties, such as cutting off (7:20 note), are mentioned; these cover situations where detection might be difficult (v. 18) or family solidarity might make the head of the family reluctant to punish (v. 17).