Leviticus 20:16

KJV

And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a woman {H802} approach {H7126} unto any beast {H929}, and lie down {H7250} thereto, thou shalt kill {H2026} the woman {H802}, and the beast {H929}: they shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}; their blood {H1818} shall be upon them.

Complete Jewish Bible

If a woman approaches an animal and has sexual relations with it, you are to kill the woman and the animal; their blood will be on them.

Berean Standard Bible

If a woman approaches any animal to mate with it, you must kill both the woman and the animal. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

American Standard Version

And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:16 delivers a severe prohibition against bestiality involving a woman and an animal, prescribing capital punishment for both parties. This statute underscores the profound defilement and perversion such an act represented within ancient Israelite society, emphasizing God's demand for absolute holiness and the sanctity of the created order, particularly human sexuality, as foundational to His covenant relationship with His people. The verse concludes with a legal idiom, "their blood [shall be] upon them," signifying the transgressors' sole culpability for their just demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 20 functions as a critical expansion and reinforcement of the laws of holiness outlined earlier in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations"). While [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations") primarily lists various forbidden sexual relationships and their inherent defiling nature, [Leviticus 20](/leviticus/20 "Leviticus 20 - Penalties for Unholy Acts") specifies the judicial consequences—often capital punishment—for violating these and other purity laws. The chapter systematically addresses offenses such as child sacrifice to Molech ([Leviticus 20:2-5](/leviticus/20-2 "Leviticus 20:2-5 - Child Sacrifice to Molech")), consulting mediums ([Leviticus 20:6](/leviticus/20-6 "Leviticus 20:6 - Consulting Mediums")), dishonoring parents ([Leviticus 20:9](/leviticus/20-9 "Leviticus 20:9 - Cursing Parents")), various forms of incest, adultery, and homosexual acts ([Leviticus 20:10-21](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10-21 - Sexual Immorality and Penalties")), culminating in the general call to holiness and separation from the nations ([Leviticus 20:22-26](/leviticus/20-22 "Leviticus 20:22-26 - Call to Holiness and Separation")). Bestiality, as addressed in [Leviticus 20:15-16](/leviticus/20-15 "Leviticus 20:15-16 - Bestiality Prohibited"), is presented as an act of profound perversion that pollutes both the individuals and the land, necessitating the most severe response to maintain the community's ritual and moral purity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was situated amidst Canaanite cultures that practiced a wide array of sexual perversions, often in conjunction with their idolatrous worship. Archaeological findings and textual evidence from the ancient Near East suggest that bestiality, cultic prostitution, and other forms of sexual deviancy were not uncommon in the religious rites and daily lives of surrounding peoples. The Mosaic Law, therefore, served as a stark counter-cultural mandate, designed to distinguish Israel as a holy nation set apart for Yahweh. The repeated warnings in [Leviticus 18:24-30](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-30 - Consequences of Defilement") about the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants due to such defiling practices underscore the existential threat these sins posed to Israel's continued existence in the promised land. By prescribing capital punishment for acts like bestiality, God established clear boundaries for human behavior, reinforcing the sanctity of life, the purity of the human form, and the divinely ordained order of creation, thereby preventing Israel from succumbing to the moral decay prevalent in their pagan neighbors. This was not merely about individual morality but about the collective purity and covenant fidelity of the entire nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **מות (Language, _muth'_):** This Hebrew verb means "to die" or "to be put to death." In the Hiphil stem (causative), as implied by "thou shalt kill" and "they shall surely be put to death," it denotes causing death. Its repetition in this verse emphasizes the absolute certainty and severity of the prescribed punishment. It signifies an irreversible end, a complete removal of the defiling element from the community, highlighting the ultimate consequence of such a profound violation of God's order.
* **דמים (Language, _damim'_):** While literally meaning "bloods" (plural of _dam_, "blood"), in the idiom "their blood [shall be] upon them," it refers to the responsibility or guilt for one's own death. It's a legal declaration that the condemned are entirely accountable for their demise, having brought the judgment upon themselves through their actions. This phrase absolves the community and the executioner of bloodguilt, affirming the justice of the divine decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto":** This clause describes the act of bestiality initiated by a woman. "Approach unto" (קָרַב, _qarab_) and "lie down thereto" (שָׁכַב, _shakav_) are euphemisms for sexual intercourse. The specific mention of a woman initiating or participating highlights the comprehensive nature of the prohibition, covering all forms of this perversion, regardless of gender roles in the act.
* **"thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast":** This is the direct command for capital punishment. The instruction "thou shalt kill" (הָמֵת תָּמִית, _hamet tamit_ – a strong infinitive absolute construction emphasizing certainty) is addressed to the community, likely through its judicial authorities. The immediate and simultaneous execution of both the human transgressor and the animal underscores the extreme defilement of the act, requiring the complete eradication of all involved parties to purify the land and community. The animal is not seen as morally culpable but as having been defiled and used in an act that violates the created order, thus requiring its removal.
* **"they shall surely be put to death":** This phrase reiterates the certainty of the punishment, employing the same emphatic Hebrew construction (_hamet tamit_). It serves as a strong affirmation of the divine decree, leaving no room for leniency or doubt regarding the consequence of this sin. This repetition reinforces the gravity and finality of the judgment.
* **"their blood [shall be] upon them":** This is a legal idiom declaring that the responsibility for their death rests solely with the woman and the beast. Their actions directly led to their just punishment, and no one else bears culpability for their demise. It signifies that the execution is a righteous act of justice, not murder, and that the community is cleansed of guilt by carrying out the divine command.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is a **Legal Formula**, characteristic of the Mosaic Law, which states a clear prohibition followed by a precise, non-negotiable penalty. This structure ensures clarity and authority. **Repetition** is also evident in the use of the verb "to kill" or "to put to death" (מות, _muth_), appearing twice in emphatic forms ("thou shalt kill," "they shall surely be put to death"). This repetition serves to underscore the absolute certainty and severity of the judgment, leaving no ambiguity about the consequence. Finally, the concluding phrase, "their blood [shall be] upon them," functions as a legal **Idiom**. This idiom, common in Old Testament legal texts, serves as a declaration of guilt, placing full responsibility for the death squarely on the transgressor, thereby absolving the community of any bloodguilt and affirming the justice of the executed sentence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:16 profoundly articulates God's unwavering demand for holiness and the sanctity of the created order, especially human sexuality. Bestiality, as an act that blurs the divinely ordained boundaries between humanity and the animal kingdom, and distorts the very purpose of sexual union, is deemed an "abomination" (Hebrew: _to'evah_)—something utterly detestable to God. The severe penalty reflects the gravity of transgressing God's design for human dignity and purity, emphasizing that such acts defile not only the individual but also the community and the land itself. This statute teaches that God's justice is absolute, and His moral standards are non-negotiable, requiring the removal of defiling elements to maintain the integrity of His covenant people.

* [Leviticus 18:23](/leviticus/18-23 "Leviticus 18:23 - Bestiality as an Abomination")
* [Deuteronomy 27:21](/deuteronomy/27-21 "Deuteronomy 27:21 - Curse for Bestiality")
* [Romans 1:26-27](/romans/1-26 "Romans 1:26-27 - God's Judgment on Perversion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific judicial penalties of ancient Israel are not directly applied in modern societies or Christian churches, the underlying moral principles of Leviticus 20:16 remain eternally relevant. This verse powerfully communicates God's unchanging character as holy and His profound concern for the purity of His people and the integrity of His creation. It calls believers to a radical understanding of sexual purity, recognizing that human sexuality is a sacred gift to be expressed within the boundaries of God's design, which excludes all forms of perversion. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and our lives are to reflect God's holiness in every sphere, including our sexual conduct. The severity of the ancient law serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin in God's eyes and the defiling nature of acts that distort His good creation. We are called to pursue sanctification, not out of fear of legalistic punishment, but out of love for God and a desire to honor Him with our whole being, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of the punishment in Leviticus 20:16 illuminate God's view of sexual perversion and the sanctity of creation?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "defilement" in this verse challenge our modern understanding of personal autonomy and moral boundaries?**
* **How can believers today embody the principle of holiness and separation from cultural norms that contradict God's design for sexuality, without falling into legalism or judgmentalism?**

### FAQ

**Why was the animal also killed?**

Answer: The animal, though not morally culpable, was killed for several reasons. Firstly, it was considered defiled by its involvement in such an unnatural and perverse act, and anything defiled had to be removed from the community to maintain its purity. Secondly, its death prevented any future re-use of the animal in similar acts, serving as a complete eradication of the defiling element. Thirdly, it underscored the extreme gravity of the sin, demonstrating that the perversion was so profound that it tainted even the innocent animal involved, emphasizing the sanctity of the boundaries God established between humans and animals, and within human sexuality itself, as outlined in passages like [Leviticus 18:23](/leviticus/18-23 "Leviticus 18:23 - Bestiality as an Abomination").

**Is this law still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law's judicial code for civil governance (as explained in [Romans 7:6](/romans/7-6 "Romans 7:6 - Released from the Law") and [Galatians 3:24-25](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24-25 - The Law as a Guardian")), the moral principles underlying this law remain eternally relevant. God's condemnation of bestiality and all forms of sexual perversion is rooted in His unchanging holy character and His design for human sexuality. The New Testament consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage and condemns sexual immorality, including acts that are unnatural or perverse (e.g., [Romans 1:26-27](/romans/1-26 "Romans 1:26-27 - God's Judgment on Perversion"), [1 Corinthians 6:9-10](/1_corinthians/6-9 "1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Inheriting the Kingdom of God")). Therefore, while the specific penalty of death is not applied, the moral prohibition against bestiality is absolutely binding for believers, as it represents a profound distortion of God's created order and human dignity.

**What does "their blood [shall be] upon them" mean?**

Answer: This is a legal idiom frequently found in the Old Testament ([Leviticus 20:9](/leviticus/20-9 "Leviticus 20:9 - Cursing Parents"), [Ezekiel 33:4](/ezekiel/33-4 "Ezekiel 33:4 - Responsibility for One's Own Blood")). It signifies that the responsibility for the death lies entirely with the transgressors themselves. Their actions directly led to their just punishment, and no one else is culpable for their demise. It serves as a declaration of their guilt and a justification for the execution, absolving the community and the executioner of any bloodguilt. It emphasizes that the judgment is righteous and self-inflicted by the sin itself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 20:16, with its severe penalty for bestiality, powerfully reveals the absolute holiness of God and the profound defilement that sin brings, particularly acts that distort the created order and human sexuality. While the Mosaic Law exposed the depth of human sin and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through obedience to its demands ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law and Sin")), it ultimately pointed to the need for a perfect sacrifice and a new covenant. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the righteous demands of the Law, not by abolishing it, but by living a sinless life and offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"), [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice")). Through His atoning death and resurrection, believers are freed from the condemnation of the Law and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of true holiness, not merely by external adherence to rules, but by an inward transformation that conforms them to Christ's image ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law and Christ"), [2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into Christ's Image")). The Spirit enables us to flee all forms of sexual immorality, including those deemed abominable in the Old Testament, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are called to glorify God in every aspect of our lives ([1 Corinthians 6:18-20](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - Flee Sexual Immorality")). Thus, the terrifying severity of Leviticus 20:16 ultimately magnifies the grace of Christ, who delivers us from sin's power and empowers us to pursue the very holiness that the Law demanded.

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

Exodus 21:32

If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Hebrews 12:20

(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Exodus 19:13

There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether [it be] beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

Exodus 21:28

If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox [shall be] quit.