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A half-breed, his mother being an Israelite and his father an Egyptian, left his dwelling, possibly outside the camp, entered the area where the Israelites lived, and got into a quarrel with an Israelite. During the quarrel, the half-breed used God’s name in a blasphemous manner. What he actually said is, unfortunately, not stated. Did he curse the Israelite, using God’s name, or did he utter a worthless curse or did he say God’s personal name in anger? The use of two words for cursing strongly suggests that the half-breed uttered God’s personal name in a spiteful way. The hearers knew he had broken the third commandment. However, they did not know the penalty since this person was a half-breed. They took him to Moses who, in turn, waited for a word of judgment from Yahweh. The penalty for this person was death by stoning outside the camp and with all the congregation participating. Those who heard the curse were to lay their hands on the half-breed’s head as a witness that he was indeed guilty. In taking a person’s life, the responsibility fell to the whole congregation, not just a few.