You must not lie carnally with any animal, thus defiling yourself with it; a woman must not stand before an animal to mate with it; that is a perversion. You must not have sexual relationsThe Hebrew phrase here is "וְאִישׁ לֹא־תִתֵּן שְׁכָבְתְּךָ" (v'ish lo-titen shekhavtekha), which directly translates to "and a man shall not give his lying." This phrase is a clear prohibition against engaging in sexual acts outside the boundaries set by God. The use of "lying" (שְׁכָבְתְּךָ) is a euphemism for sexual intercourse, emphasizing the sanctity and intended purpose of sexual relations within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. This command underscores the importance of maintaining purity and holiness in one's body, as the body is considered a temple of the Holy Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). with any animal
The Hebrew term "בְּהֵמָה" (behemah) refers to beasts or animals. In the ancient Near Eastern context, bestiality was sometimes practiced in pagan rituals, which were abominable in the sight of God. This prohibition is a call to separate the Israelites from the surrounding nations' practices, emphasizing the distinctiveness of God's people. The command serves as a reminder of the created order, where humans are given dominion over animals (Genesis 1:26), not to engage in unnatural acts with them. defiling yourself with it
The word "defiling" comes from the Hebrew "טָמֵא" (tame), meaning to become unclean or impure. In the Levitical context, defilement is not just a physical state but a spiritual one, affecting one's relationship with God. Engaging in such acts would render a person ritually unclean, barring them from participating in communal worship and fellowship. This highlights the broader biblical theme of holiness, where God's people are called to be set apart and live according to His statutes. A woman must not stand before an animal
The phrase "stand before" (לַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי) implies presenting oneself or positioning oneself for a specific purpose. In this context, it refers to the act of preparing for sexual intercourse. The command is gender-inclusive, addressing both men and women, and underscores the seriousness of maintaining sexual purity. It reflects the biblical principle that both men and women are accountable to God's laws and are called to uphold His standards of righteousness. to mate with it
The Hebrew "לִרְבֹּעַ" (lirboa) means to copulate or engage in sexual activity. This term is used to describe the act of mating, which is reserved for the propagation of species within the natural order established by God. The prohibition against such acts with animals is a safeguard against the distortion of God's creation and the perversion of His intended design for human sexuality. that is a perversion
The word "perversion" is translated from the Hebrew "תֶּבֶל" (tevel), which denotes confusion, violation, or profanation. This term is used to describe actions that are contrary to God's natural order and moral law. In the biblical worldview, perversion is not merely a social or cultural issue but a spiritual one, reflecting a heart that has turned away from God's truth. This command serves as a warning against the moral decay that results from abandoning God's statutes and highlights the need for repentance and restoration to a life of holiness. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe primary audience of the Levitical laws, called to be a holy nation set apart for God. 3. CanaanThe land where the Israelites were headed, which was inhabited by people practicing abominable customs, including those prohibited in Leviticus 18. 4. GodThe divine lawgiver who establishes moral and ceremonial laws for His people. 5. AnimalsCreatures that are explicitly mentioned in this verse as being involved in prohibited acts. Teaching Points Understanding HolinessGod calls His people to be holy, distinct from the surrounding nations. This includes adhering to His standards for sexual conduct. Respect for God's Creation OrderRecognizing the boundaries God has set between humans and animals is crucial for maintaining the order He established at creation. Guarding Against Cultural InfluenceThe Israelites were warned not to adopt the practices of the Canaanites. Similarly, Christians today must be vigilant against cultural norms that contradict biblical teachings. The Seriousness of Sexual SinSexual immorality, including bestiality, is a serious offense against God. It defiles the individual and disrupts the sanctity of God's design for human relationships. Repentance and RestorationWhile the law highlights sin, the New Testament offers hope through repentance and the redemptive work of Christ, who restores us to right relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the cultural context of the Canaanites help us grasp the importance of this command in Leviticus 18:23? 2. In what ways can Christians today ensure they are not influenced by cultural practices that contradict biblical teachings on sexuality? 3. How does the creation account in Genesis inform our understanding of the boundaries between humans and animals? 4. What steps can believers take to flee from sexual immorality, as instructed in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20? 5. How can the church support individuals struggling with sexual sin, offering both accountability and grace? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:26-28Highlights the creation of humans in God's image and their dominion over animals, establishing a clear distinction between humans and animals. Romans 1:24-27Discusses the consequences of abandoning God's natural order, leading to various forms of sexual immorality. Deuteronomy 27:21Reiterates the prohibition against bestiality, emphasizing its seriousness. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20Encourages believers to flee from sexual immorality, reminding them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. People Israelites, Molech, MosesPlaces Canaan, Egypt, TemanTopics Act, Animal, Beast, Confusion, Copulation, Defile, Defiled, Herself, Intercourse, Lie, Making, Mate, Perversion, Present, Relations, Sex, Sexual, Stand, Thereto, Therewith, Thyself, Unclean, Uncleanness, UnnaturalDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 18:1-24 8273 holiness, ethical aspects Leviticus 18:6-23 6206 offence Leviticus 18:6-30 7525 exclusiveness Leviticus 18:22-23 8241 ethics, basis of Leviticus 18:22-25 6237 sexual sin, nature of Leviticus 18:23-30 7348 defilement Library General Character of Christians.
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts." St. Paul is supposed to have been the first herald of gospel grace to the Galatians; and they appear to have rejoiced at the glad tidings, and to have received the bearer with much respect. But after his departure, certain judaizing teachers went among them, and labored but too successfully, to alienate their affections from him, and turn them form the simplicity of the gospel. The malice and errors of those deceitful …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
"But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,--Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth; and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation Epistle Lxiv. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [174] . Here begins the epistle of the blessed Gregory pope of the city of Rome, in exposition of various matters, which he sent into transmarine Saxony to Augustine, whom he had himself sent in his own stead to preach. Preface.--Through my most beloved son Laurentius, the presbyter, and Peter the monk, I received thy Fraternity's letter, in which thou hast been at pains to question me on many points. But, inasmuch as my aforesaid sons found me afflicted with the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn by the Disciples, and the Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand
IN grouping together the three miracles of healing described in the last chapter, we do not wish to convey that it is certain they had taken place in precisely that order. Nor do we feel sure, that they preceded what is about to be related. In the absence of exact data, the succession of events and their location must be matter of combination. From their position in the Evangelic narratives, and the manner in which all concerned speak and act, we inferred, that they took place at that particular …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 18:23 NIVLeviticus 18:23 NLTLeviticus 18:23 ESVLeviticus 18:23 NASBLeviticus 18:23 KJV
Leviticus 18:23 Commentaries
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