Leviticus 20:13

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them.

If a man {H376} also lie {H7901} with mankind {H2145}, as he lieth {H4904} with a woman {H802}, both {H8147} of them have committed {H6213} an abomination {H8441}: they shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}; their blood {H1818} shall be upon them.

If a man goes to bed with a man as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they must be put to death; their blood is on them.

If a man lies with a man as with a woman, they have both committed an abomination. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Commentary

Context

Leviticus 20:13 is situated within a broader section of the Mosaic Law (chapters 18-20) that outlines specific prohibited sexual acts and the severe penalties for violating God's commands regarding sexual purity and the sanctity of life. This chapter, in particular, focuses on the consequences for various transgressions, emphasizing Israel's call to be a holy nation, set apart from the practices of the surrounding pagan cultures (like the Canaanites and Egyptians). The laws here underscore God's demand for holiness in His people, reflecting His own nature and ensuring the moral integrity of the community.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Purity: The primary theme is God's absolute standard of holiness and His call for His people to mirror that holiness in their conduct, especially concerning sexual ethics. The phrase "abomination" signals a direct affront to God's nature and design.
  • Divine Law and Consequences: The verse clearly states a divine prohibition and a severe penalty ("put to death"), highlighting the seriousness with which God viewed these transgressions under the Old Covenant. This wasn't merely a social taboo but a violation of divine law with capital consequences.
  • God's Design for Sexuality: Implicitly, this verse, alongside other sexual laws in Leviticus, reinforces God's original design for sexual intimacy to be within the confines of a marriage between a man and a woman, as established at creation (Genesis 2:24) and affirmed by Christ (Matthew 19:5-6).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Abomination" (Hebrew: to'evah - ΧͺΦΌΧ•ΦΉΧ’Φ΅Χ‘ΦΈΧ”): This powerful Hebrew term signifies something utterly detestable, repugnant, or morally offensive to God. It is used throughout the Old Testament for practices that are anathema to God's character, such as idolatry, child sacrifice, and various sexual perversions. Its use here underscores the profound moral and spiritual gravity of the act.
  • "They shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them": This legal phrase indicates that the penalty is capital punishment, and the responsibility for their demise rests entirely upon the offenders themselves, not on those who execute the judgment. It signifies that the act is so grievous it warrants the forfeiture of life, and the guilt is undeniable.

Practical Application and Reflection

While the specific civil penalties of the Mosaic Law are not applied in the New Covenant era, the underlying moral principles regarding sexual purity and God's design for human sexuality remain constant. The New Testament consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage and condemns all forms of sexual immorality, including homosexual acts, as contrary to God's will and design. For example, Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 echo the moral stance found in Leviticus.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of:

  • God's Unchanging Standard: God's moral law, rooted in His holy character, does not change. What was an "abomination" to Him then, remains so.
  • Call to Purity: Believers are called to live lives of sexual purity and to honor God with their bodies, understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
  • Understanding God's Design: It prompts reflection on God's original intention for human relationships and sexuality, which is designed for flourishing within His established boundaries.

Ultimately, while the context is Old Covenant law, the verse points to enduring truths about God's holiness and His expectations for human behavior, guiding believers today toward lives that honor Him in all aspects, including sexuality.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9

    ΒΆ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

  • Leviticus 18:22

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

  • Jude 1:7

    Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

  • 1 Timothy 1:10

    For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

  • Romans 1:26

    For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

  • Romans 1:27

    And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

  • Deuteronomy 23:17

    There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
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