Why was the penalty for adultery so severe in ancient Israel?

The severe penalty for adultery in ancient Israel, as prescribed in Leviticus 20:10, underscored the profound sanctity of marriage as a divinely ordained institution and a foundational pillar of the covenant community. Adultery was not merely a private transgression but a grave offense against God, the wronged spouse, the family, and the entire community. It directly violated the Seventh Commandment, "You shall not commit adultery," defiled the purity required of God's holy people, and threatened the social order by breaking covenants and creating illegitimate heirs. The capital punishment served as a strong deterrent, a public declaration of the immense value placed on marital fidelity, and a means to purge evil from the midst of the community, thereby maintaining Israel's distinctiveness and faithfulness to God amidst pagan cultures where sexual immorality was often rampant.

Does the New Testament still consider adultery a sin?

Absolutely. While the New Testament does not prescribe the death penalty for adultery, it unequivocally condemns it as a serious sin with eternal consequences. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, expanded the understanding of adultery to include lustful thoughts, emphasizing the internal disposition of the heart (Matthew 5:28). The Apostle Paul consistently lists sexual immorality, including adultery, among the works of the flesh that exclude one from the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). The book of Hebrews 13:4 explicitly states, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." The New Testament calls believers to sexual purity and faithfulness within marriage, viewing it as a sacred covenant and a reflection of Christ's relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33).

20:9 20:9

Leviticus 20:10

20:11 20:11

Bible Versions

¶ And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

And the man {H376} that committeth adultery {H5003} with another man's {H376} wife {H802}, even he that committeth adultery {H5003} with his neighbour's {H7453} wife {H802}, the adulterer {H5003} and the adulteress {H5003} shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}.

"'If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, that is, with the wife of a fellow countryman, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.

If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.

And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

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.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

John 8:4

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
John 8:5

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
Deuteronomy 22:22

If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, [both] the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Deuteronomy 22:24

Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, [being] in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
Deuteronomy 5:18

Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Leviticus 18:20

Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.
Exodus 20:14

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Bible Versions

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