Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
Bring forth him ... without the camp. All executions took place without the camp; and this arrangement probably originated in the idea that, as the Israelites were to be "a holy people," all flagrant offenders should be thrust out of their society.
Let all that heard him lay ... The imposition of hands formed a public and solemn testimony against the crime, and at the same time made the punishment legal. But this impressive act implied something more. Those who laid their hands on the head of the criminal devolved the guilt which, in consequence of his crime, might attach to them or to the nation, wholly on him-left his blood on his own head, and solemnly acknowledged the justice of the punishment (cf. Leviticus 4:24; Leviticus 4:29; Leviticus 16:21).