Leviticus 20:15

KJV

And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a man {H376} lie {H5414}{H7903} with a beast {H929}, he shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}: and ye shall slay {H2026} the beast {H929}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you are to kill the animal.

Berean Standard Bible

If a man lies carnally with an animal, he must be put to death. And you are also to kill the animal.

American Standard Version

And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:15 issues a severe legal decree concerning bestiality, unequivocally stating that any man who engages in sexual intercourse with an animal "shall surely be put to death," and the animal involved "shall be slain." This uncompromising judgment underscores the profound abhorrence God holds for such an unnatural and defiling act within His covenant community, emphasizing the sanctity of the created order and the absolute necessity of holiness for Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 20:15 is situated within a broader section of the book (chapters 18-20) that meticulously outlines laws concerning sexual morality, ritual purity, and the consequences for violating God's statutes. Chapter 18 provides a comprehensive list of prohibited sexual relationships, including bestiality in [Leviticus 18:23](/leviticus/18-23 "Leviticus 18:23 - Prohibition of Bestiality"), while chapter 19 focuses on general laws of holiness. Chapter 20 then reiterates many of these prohibitions, particularly those related to sexual offenses, and specifies the severe penalties—often capital punishment—for transgressions such as incest, adultery, child sacrifice, and homosexual acts. The placement of this verse within a litany of capital offenses highlights the extreme gravity with which this particular sin was viewed, underscoring its defiling nature not only for the individual but for the entire community and the land itself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel existed amidst pagan cultures (Canaanites, Egyptians) where various forms of sexual perversion, including bestiality, were sometimes practiced, often in connection with fertility cults or idolatrous rituals. The Mosaic Law, as presented in Leviticus, consistently calls Israel to be a holy and distinct nation, set apart from the abominable practices of their neighbors. The repeated warnings against defiling the land ([Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Defilement of the Land")) and the threat of expulsion ([Leviticus 18:28](/leviticus/18-28 "Leviticus 18:28 - Land Vomits Out Inhabitants")) if these laws were violated, underscore the theological conviction that such sins corrupted the very fabric of society and the land God had given them. The severity of the punishment for bestiality reflects not only its violation of the divinely established order of creation but also its potential to blur the lines between human and animal, undermining the unique dignity of humanity created in God's image.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lie with (שָׁכַב עִם, _shakhav 'im'_):** This Hebrew idiom is a common and unambiguous euphemism for sexual intercourse in the Old Testament. Its use here leaves no doubt about the nature of the prohibited act, emphasizing the physical and intentional engagement in a sexual union. The directness of the phrase underscores the clarity of the prohibition.
* **beast (בְּהֵמָה, _behemah'_):** This term refers generally to domestic animals, often cattle or livestock, as opposed to wild animals. The specification of "beast" indicates that the law is addressing a transgression that could occur within the daily life and agricultural context of ancient Israel, further highlighting the pervasive nature of the holiness code and its application to all aspects of existence.
* **shall surely be put to death (מוֹת יוּמָת, _mot yumath'_):** This is a powerful and emphatic Hebrew construction, known as the infinitive absolute, which intensifies the verb. It translates literally as "dying, he shall die" or "he shall certainly be put to death," leaving no room for doubt regarding the certainty and severity of the capital punishment. This phrase appears frequently in Leviticus and other legal texts of the Torah to denote offenses punishable by death, signifying the ultimate consequence for violating God's most sacred laws.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a man lie with a beast":** This opening clause identifies the perpetrator ("a man") and the specific act ("lie with a beast"). The conditional "if" introduces a hypothetical scenario that, if it occurs, triggers the subsequent legal consequences. It focuses on the human agent's responsibility for initiating and engaging in this unnatural act.
* **"he shall surely be put to death":** This is the direct and emphatic consequence for the man. The use of the infinitive absolute ("shall surely be put to death") underscores the non-negotiable nature of the penalty. This capital punishment signifies that the act is not merely a social transgression but a profound spiritual defilement that warrants the removal of the individual from the covenant community.
* **"and ye shall slay the beast":** This final clause prescribes the fate of the animal involved. While the animal is not morally culpable, its slaying serves several purposes. It symbolizes the complete eradication of the defilement, ensuring that nothing involved in such an abominable act remains within the community or is used for any purpose. It also reinforces the gravity of the sin by demonstrating that even the unwitting participant must be purged, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's demand for purity and the utter rejection of this perversion.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:15 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Legal Formulary**, characteristic of the Mosaic Law, which presents a clear, concise, and prescriptive statement of crime and punishment. This structure ensures clarity and authority. The use of the Hebrew infinitive absolute, "shall surely be put to death," is an example of **Emphasis** through **Repetition**, underscoring the absolute certainty and severity of the prescribed capital punishment. This linguistic device leaves no ambiguity regarding the consequences. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Symbolism** in the command to slay the beast; the animal's death, though innocent, serves as a powerful symbol of the complete eradication of the defilement and the utter rejection of the unnatural act from the community. There is also a subtle **Juxtaposition** between the man's moral culpability and the beast's unwitting involvement, highlighting the distinct moral responsibility of humanity while demonstrating that the defilement extends to all elements involved in the transgression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:15 profoundly reinforces several core theological principles central to the Old Testament. It underscores God's absolute demand for **holiness and purity** within His covenant people, Israel, reflecting His own character as utterly set apart. Bestiality, as an act that fundamentally distorts the divinely established order of creation and blurs the distinctiveness between humanity and the animal kingdom, is deemed an **abomination** that defiles both the individual and the land. The severe penalty highlights the **gravity of sin** and God's unwavering commitment to maintaining the sanctity of life and the created order. This law serves as a bulwark against the moral corruption prevalent in surrounding pagan cultures, emphasizing Israel's calling to be a distinct people whose practices reflect God's righteous standards, thereby preserving the moral and spiritual health of the community and preventing divine judgment.

* [Leviticus 18:23](/leviticus/18-23 "Leviticus 18:23 - Prohibition of Bestiality")
* [Exodus 22:19](/exodus/22-19 "Exodus 22:19 - Law Against Bestiality")
* [Deuteronomy 27:21](/deuteronomy/27-21 "Deuteronomy 27:21 - Curse for Bestiality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific judicial penalties of the Mosaic Law are not directly applied in modern societies, the underlying principles of Leviticus 20:15 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's unchanging standard for sexual ethics and the sanctity of human sexuality, which is distinct from animal behavior and designed for specific, holy contexts within the created order. It calls us to recognize that sexual expression is a sacred gift from God, intended to be exercised in ways that honor Him and reflect His design, primarily within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. Any deviation from this divine design is seen as an affront to God's created order and a defilement. For the Christian, this passage reinforces the New Testament's call to a high standard of sexual purity, urging believers to flee all forms of sexual immorality and to honor God with their bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit. It challenges us to cultivate a deep reverence for God's design for humanity and to pursue holiness in all aspects of our lives, recognizing that our actions have spiritual implications for ourselves and the broader community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of the punishment in Leviticus 20:15 inform our understanding of God's view on the sanctity of the created order and human sexuality?**
* **In what ways does modern culture challenge or distort the biblical understanding of human sexuality as distinct from animal behavior?**
* **How can believers today uphold the principles of holiness and purity, as exemplified in this passage, in a way that is both faithful to Scripture and compassionate to others?**

### FAQ
**Why was the animal also slain, given it presumably had no moral culpability?**

Answer: The slaying of the animal, though it bore no moral guilt, served multiple significant purposes within the Israelite legal and theological framework. Firstly, it symbolized the complete and utter eradication of the defilement caused by the abominable act. The presence of anything involved in such a profound sin was considered a stain on the community and the land. Secondly, it prevented any further use of the animal, ensuring that it could not be involved in any future defilement or even be consumed, which would pass on the impurity. This reinforced the gravity of the sin, demonstrating that its consequences extended beyond the direct human perpetrator to everything associated with the transgression. This concept aligns with other instances in the Mosaic Law where objects or animals associated with severe sin were destroyed (e.g., [Exodus 21:28](/exodus/21-28 "Exodus 21:28 - Goring Ox")).

**How does this law relate to the broader concept of "abominations" in Leviticus?**

Answer: Leviticus 20:15 is one of several laws that prohibit acts deemed "abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, _to'evah_) by God. This term signifies something utterly detestable, repugnant, and offensive to God's character and His established order. In Leviticus, "abomination" is frequently applied to sexual perversions (like incest, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations")), idolatry, and certain dietary practices. The consistent use of this term emphasizes that these acts are not merely social taboos but spiritual offenses that violate God's holiness and defile both the individual and the land. Engaging in such abominations was seen as mirroring the practices of the pagan nations, which Israel was explicitly commanded to avoid to maintain their distinct covenant relationship with God (e.g., [Leviticus 18:26-30](/leviticus/18-26 "Leviticus 18:26-30 - Warnings Against Abominations")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Leviticus 20:15, with its severe penalties, belongs to the judicial code of the Old Covenant, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus himself declared that he did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), meaning he brought its ultimate purpose and meaning to completion. This law against bestiality underscores God's unchanging standard for the sanctity of creation, the distinctiveness of humanity made in His image, and the purity required of His people. In Christ, the call to holiness is elevated from external legal observance to an internal transformation of the heart ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Believers are now called to be holy as God is holy, not merely by avoiding specific forbidden acts, but by living out of a new nature empowered by the Holy Spirit ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy as God is Holy")). The defilement that such sins brought under the Old Covenant is now addressed by Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, which cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing Blood of Jesus")). Furthermore, the New Testament explicitly condemns sexual immorality as a work of the flesh ([Galatians 5:19-21](/galatians/5-19 "Galatians 5:19-21 - Works of the Flesh")) and teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, to be used for God's glory ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")). Thus, the absolute prohibition against bestiality in Leviticus 20:15 points to the broader truth that all sexual expression outside of God's design for marriage is contrary to His will, and in Christ, we are given the grace and power to live lives of purity that honor Him.

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.

Cross-References

Leviticus 18:23

Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it [is] confusion.

Deuteronomy 27:21

Cursed [be] he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Exodus 22:19

Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.