Leviticus 18:22

KJV

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not lie {H7901} with mankind {H2145}, as with {H4904} womankind {H802}: it is abomination {H8441}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'You are not to go to bed with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Berean Standard Bible

You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 18:22 stands as a pivotal declaration within the Mosaic Law, explicitly prohibiting male homosexual intercourse and unequivocally labeling it as an "abomination." This verse is not an isolated command but an integral part of a comprehensive code of sexual ethics designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation, distinct from the defiling practices of surrounding pagan cultures, and to uphold God's foundational design for human sexuality and societal purity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 18 forms a crucial part of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), a section of the Pentateuch dedicated to outlining God's expectations for Israel's moral and ritual purity. The chapter begins with a foundational call for Israel to "do my judgments and keep my ordinances, to walk therein" ([Leviticus 18:4](/leviticus/18-4 "Leviticus 18:4 - God's Statutes")). It then systematically lists various illicit sexual relationships, beginning with incestuous unions ([Leviticus 18:6-18](/leviticus/18-6 "Leviticus 18:6-18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations")), moving to prohibitions against intercourse during menstruation ([Leviticus 18:19](/leviticus/18-19 "Leviticus 18:19 - Purity Laws")), child sacrifice ([Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice")), and culminating in the prohibition of male homosexual acts ([Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Prohibition of Male Homosexual Acts")) and bestiality ([Leviticus 18:23](/leviticus/18-23 "Leviticus 18:23 - Prohibition of Bestiality")). The chapter concludes with a stark warning that such practices defile both the individual and the land, leading to the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants, just as it had the nations before them ([Leviticus 18:24-30](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-30 - Consequences of Disobedience")). Thus, verse 22 is situated among a series of severe sexual prohibitions, all of which are presented as violations of divine order and purity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws in Leviticus 18 were given to Israel as they stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, having recently departed from Egypt. Both Egyptian and Canaanite cultures were known for practices that violated the sexual ethics God was establishing for Israel. For instance, archaeological and textual evidence suggests that cultic prostitution and various forms of sexual deviancy were common in Canaanite worship, often linked to fertility cults. The phrase "after the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do" ([Leviticus 18:3](/leviticus/18-3 "Leviticus 18:3 - Distinctiveness of Israel")) clearly articulates God's intent for Israel to be a distinct, holy nation, set apart from the moral corruption of their neighbors. The concept of "abomination" (Hebrew: *to'evah*) often carries connotations of practices associated with idolatry or severe moral transgressions that defile the land and break covenant with God. The prohibition in [Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Prohibition of Male Homosexual Acts") was thus a direct counter-cultural command, establishing a divine standard of sexual morality that transcended and condemned the prevailing norms of the ancient Near East.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abomination (Hebrew, _to'evah'_):** This term is one of the strongest expressions of divine disapproval in the Old Testament. It signifies something utterly detestable, repugnant, and morally offensive to God. While it can refer to ritual impurity, its use here, and frequently in the Old Testament, describes acts that violate fundamental moral and theological principles, often associated with idolatry, injustice, and sexual perversion. Its application to male homosexual intercourse indicates that this act is not merely a minor transgression but a profound offense against God's nature and order, meriting severe divine judgment and defiling the community and the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not lie with mankind":** This clause directly prohibits sexual intercourse between males. The Hebrew phrase "lie with" (שָׁכַב אֶת, *shakab et*) is a common biblical idiom for sexual intercourse. The use of "mankind" (זָכָר, *zakhar*), meaning "male," specifies the gender of the participants.
* **"as with womankind":** This comparative phrase clarifies the nature of the prohibited act. It specifies that the sexual act between males is forbidden when it mimics the penetrative act typically performed between a male and a female. It underscores that the *kind* of sexual union being prohibited is one that violates the natural, complementary design of male-female sexual relations.
* **"it [is] abomination":** This declarative statement pronounces God's absolute judgment on the act. As explored in the key word analysis, "abomination" (תּוֹעֵבָה, *to'evah*) denotes something utterly detestable to God, marking the act as a severe violation of divine order and holiness, with profound spiritual and communal consequences.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Leviticus 18:22 is **Legal Formula**, characteristic of the Mosaic Law. The verse uses a direct, declarative prohibitory statement ("Thou shalt not..."), which is a common feature of apodictic law, presenting an absolute command without conditions. This directness emphasizes the universality and immutability of the prohibition within the covenant. Additionally, there is an implicit **Contrast** or **Antithesis** at play, setting the divinely ordained pattern of male-female sexual union (implied by "as with womankind") against the prohibited male-male union. The use of the strong term **"Abomination"** functions as a powerful rhetorical device, conveying the extreme gravity and detestability of the act from God's perspective, serving as a deterrent and a clear moral boundary for the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 18:22 is deeply rooted in the broader biblical theology of God's holiness, His design for creation, and the call for His people to reflect His character. The prohibition against male homosexual intercourse, alongside other sexual prohibitions in the chapter, reinforces the divine blueprint for human sexuality as exclusively between male and female, as established in [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Creation of Male and Female") and [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - Institution of Marriage"). This law underscores that sexual expression is not merely a matter of personal preference but is divinely ordained and has profound implications for individual and communal holiness. Violation of these standards is seen as a defilement that pollutes both the people and the land, jeopardizing Israel's covenant relationship with God.

* [Leviticus 20:13](/leviticus/20-13 "Leviticus 20:13 - Penalty for Male Homosexual Acts")
* [Romans 1:26-27](/romans/1-26 "Romans 1:26-27 - Paul's Condemnation of Homosexual Acts")
* [1 Corinthians 6:9-10](/1_corinthians/6-9 "1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Those Who Will Not Inherit the Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Leviticus 18:22 continues to stand as a clear and authoritative statement regarding God's unchanging moral standards for human sexuality. While the Mosaic Law contains various categories of laws (moral, civil, ceremonial), the moral prohibitions, particularly those reinforced or reiterated in the New Testament, retain their ethical force. This verse calls us to recognize God's design for sexuality as a sacred gift to be expressed within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. It challenges us to pursue holiness in all aspects of our lives, including our sexual conduct, understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies Are Temples")). In a world increasingly departing from biblical sexual ethics, this passage compels Christians to live distinctly, upholding God's truth with conviction, while extending grace, compassion, and the transformative message of the Gospel to all, remembering that all have sinned and are in need of God's redemptive love and forgiveness ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the concept of "abomination" deepen your appreciation for God's holiness and His expectations for His people?**
* **In what ways does the call to "live distinctly" from surrounding cultures challenge you in today's society regarding sexual ethics?**
* **How can believers uphold the truth of this passage while demonstrating Christ-like love and compassion to those who struggle with or practice same-sex attraction?**

### FAQ

**Is the prohibition in Leviticus 18:22 only for ancient Israel, or does it apply to Christians today?**

Answer: While Leviticus 18:22 is part of the Mosaic Law given specifically to ancient Israel, the consensus among orthodox Christian theology is that the moral principles embedded in this verse, particularly regarding sexual ethics, are universally applicable and timeless. This is supported by the fact that the New Testament reiterates and upholds these moral standards. For instance, [Romans 1:26-27](/romans/1-26 "Romans 1:26-27 - Paul's Condemnation of Homosexual Acts") describes homosexual acts as "unnatural" and a consequence of rejecting God, and [1 Corinthians 6:9-10](/1_corinthians/6-9 "1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Those Who Will Not Inherit the Kingdom of God") lists those who practice such things, including "male prostitutes" and "men who practice homosexuality" (ESV), as not inheriting the kingdom of God. These New Testament passages demonstrate that the moral prohibition against homosexual acts is not abrogated but affirmed for all believers under the New Covenant.

**What does "abomination" mean in this context, and how does it relate to other "abominations" in the Bible?**

Answer: In Leviticus 18:22, "abomination" (Hebrew: *to'evah*) signifies something that is utterly detestable and morally repugnant to God. It is a strong term used for acts that profoundly violate God's nature, His created order, and His covenant with Israel. While *to'evah* can refer to various things, including dietary restrictions or idolatrous practices, its use in the context of sexual sins, particularly those that are explicitly unnatural or defiling (like incest, bestiality, and child sacrifice, also mentioned in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations")), highlights a severe moral transgression that corrupts individuals, the community, and the land itself. It indicates a fundamental departure from God's intended design for human relationships and holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Leviticus 18:22 provides a clear moral boundary under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning are found in Christ. The law, including this prohibition, reveals God's perfect standard and humanity's inability to perfectly keep it, thus pointing to our need for a Savior ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). In Christ, the call to holiness is not merely an external adherence to rules but an internal transformation by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to live according to God's will. Jesus Himself affirmed the creation design of male and female in marriage ([Matthew 19:4-6](/matthew/19-4 "Matthew 19:4-6 - Jesus on Marriage")), implicitly upholding the framework within which all sexual expression is to occur. For those who have violated God's sexual standards, the Gospel offers profound grace, repentance, and forgiveness through Christ's atoning sacrifice ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")). Furthermore, the New Covenant empowers believers to pursue purity not out of fear of the law, but out of love for God and a desire to honor Him with their bodies, which are now temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:18-20](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - Flee Sexual Immorality")). Thus, Christ fulfills the law by providing the means for true holiness and by transforming hearts to desire and live out God's perfect design for human sexuality.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.