TRV
Translation
King James 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.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
“‘If a woman approaches any animal, and lies down with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And if a woman come to any beast, and lye therewith, then thou shalt kill the woman and the beast: they shall die the death, their blood shalbe vpon them.
Young's Literal Translation
`And a woman who draweth near unto any beast to lie with it--thou hast even slain the woman and the beast; they are certainly put to death; their blood is on them.
Study This Verse
Commentary on Leviticus 20 verses 10–21
10 ¶ 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.
11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
12 And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
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.
14 And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
16 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.
17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
19 And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.
20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
Sins against the seventh commandment are here ordered to be severely punished. These are sins which, of all others, fools are most apt to make a mock at; but God would teach those the heinousness of the guilt by the extremity of the punishment that would not otherwise be taught it.
I. Lying with another man's wife was made a capital crime. The adulterer and the adulteress that had joined in the sin must fall alike under the sentence: they shall both be put to death, Lev 20:10. Long before this, even in Job's time, this was reputed a heinous crime and an iniquity to be punished by the judges, Job 31:11. It is a presumptuous contempt of an ordinance of God, and a violation of his covenant, Pro 2:17. It is an irreparable wrong to the injured husband, and debauches the mind and conscience of both the offenders as much as any thing. It is a sin which headstrong and unbridled lusts hurry men violently to, and therefore it needs such a powerful restraint as this. It is a sin which defiles a land and brings down God's judgments upon it, which disquiets families, and tends to the ruin of all virtue and religion, and therefore is fit to be animadverted upon by the conservators of the public peace: but see Joh 8:3-11.
II. Incestuous connections, whether by marriage or not. 1. Some of them were to be punished with death, as a man's lying with his father's wife, Lev 20:11. Reuben would have been put to death for his crime (Gen 35:22) if this law had been then made. It was the sin of the incestuous Corinthian, for which he was to be delivered unto Satan, Co1 5:1, Co1 5:5. A man's debauching his daughter-in-law, or his mother-in-law, or his sister, was likewise to be punished with death, Lev 20:12, Lev 20:14, Lev 20:17. 2. Others of them God would punish with the curse of barrenness, as a man's defiling his aunt, or his brother's wife (Lev 20:19-21): They shall die childless. Those that keep not within the divine rules of marriage forfeit the blessings of marriage: They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase, Hos 4:10. Nay it is said, They shall bear their iniquity, that is, though they be not immediately cut off by the hand either of God or man for this sin, yet the guilt of it shall lie upon them, to be reckoned for another day, and not be purged with sacrifice or offering.
III. The unnatural lusts of sodomy and bestiality (sins not to be mentioned without horror) were to be punished with death, as they are at this day by our law, Lev 20:13, Lev 20:15, Lev 20:16. Even the beast that was thus abused was to be killed with the sinner, who was thereby openly put to the greater shame: and the villany was thus represented as in the highest degree execrable and abominable, all occasions of the remembrance or mention of it being to be taken away. Even the unseasonable use of the marriage, if presumptuous, and in contempt of the law, would expose the offenders to the just judgment of God: they shall be cut off, Lev 20:18. For this is the will of God, that every man should possess his vessel (and the wife is called the weaker vessel) in sanctification and honour, as becomes saints.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–21. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Leviticus 20:16 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:16 issues a severe prohibition against bestiality involving a woman and an animal, mandating capital punishment for both transgressors. This statute profoundly underscores God's demand for absolute holiness, the sanctity of the created order, and the purity of human sexuality within ancient Israelite society. The verse culminates with a legal idiom, "their blood [shall be] upon them," which unequivocally assigns full culpability to the offenders for their just demise, emphasizing the divine justice enacted to preserve the covenant community's moral and ritual integrity.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Leviticus 20 serves as a crucial appendix and enforcement chapter to the holiness code presented in Leviticus 18. While Leviticus 18 delineates a comprehensive list of forbidden sexual relationships, deeming them "abominations" and defiling, Leviticus 20 specifies the judicial penalties—predominantly capital punishment—for violating these and other purity laws. The chapter systematically addresses a range of offenses, from child sacrifice to Molech (Leviticus 20:2-5) and consulting mediums (Leviticus 20:6), to various forms of incest, adultery, and homosexual acts (Leviticus 20:10-21), concluding with a general call to holiness and separation from the surrounding nations (Leviticus 20:22-26). Bestiality, specifically addressed in Leviticus 20:15-16, is presented as an act of profound perversion that contaminates both the individuals involved and the land itself, thus necessitating the most severe response to preserve the community's ritual and moral purity before God.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Israel was strategically positioned amidst Canaanite cultures that routinely engaged in a wide spectrum of sexual perversions, often deeply intertwined with their idolatrous religious practices. Archaeological discoveries and ancient Near Eastern texts corroborate that bestiality, cultic prostitution, and other forms of sexual deviancy were not uncommon elements in the religious rites and daily lives of Israel's pagan neighbors. Consequently, the Mosaic Law served as a radical, counter-cultural mandate, meticulously designed to distinguish Israel as a holy nation set apart for Yahweh. The repeated warnings in Leviticus 18:24-30 concerning the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants due to such defiling practices underscore the existential threat these sins posed to Israel's continued existence and prosperity in the promised land. By prescribing capital punishment for acts like bestiality, God established clear, inviolable boundaries for human behavior, thereby reinforcing the sanctity of life, the purity of the human form, and the divinely ordained order of creation. This prevented Israel from succumbing to the pervasive moral decay prevalent in their pagan surroundings, ensuring not merely individual morality but the collective purity and covenant fidelity of the entire nation.
Key Themes: Leviticus 20:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of Holiness (קָדֹשׁ, qadosh), which permeates the entire book, emphasizing God's intrinsic nature and His expectation for His people to reflect that holiness in every aspect of their lives (Leviticus 19:2). The prohibition against bestiality highlights the Sanctity of the Created Order, particularly the distinct boundaries God established between humanity and the animal kingdom, and the sacredness of human sexuality as designed for procreation and union within marriage (Genesis 1:27-28). The severe penalty underscores the theme of Divine Justice and Consequences of Sin, demonstrating that flagrant violations of God's moral law bring about severe, even capital, judgment, as seen in other capital offenses listed in Leviticus 20. Finally, the concept of Defilement and Purification is central, as such acts were believed to pollute not only the individual but also the community and the land itself, necessitating the removal of the defiling element to maintain the covenant relationship and prevent the land from "vomiting out" its inhabitants (Leviticus 18:25).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with clarity and authority. 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 explicit understanding and immediate enforcement of the divine command. Repetition is also evident in the emphatic use of the verb "to kill" or "to put to death" (Hebrew: mûwth and hârag), appearing multiple times in strong grammatical forms ("thou shalt kill," "they shall surely be put to death"). This repetition serves to underscore the absolute certainty, severity, and finality of the judgment, leaving no ambiguity about the dire consequences of this specific transgression. Finally, the concluding phrase, "their blood [shall be] upon them," functions as a legal Idiom. This idiom, prevalent in Old Testament legal texts, serves as a solemn declaration of guilt, placing full responsibility for the death squarely on the transgressor. It thereby absolves the community and the executioner of any bloodguilt, affirming the righteousness and necessity of the executed sentence as a just divine decree.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:16 profoundly articulates God's unwavering demand for holiness and the sanctity of the created order, particularly concerning human sexuality. Bestiality, as an act that fundamentally blurs the divinely ordained boundaries between humanity and the animal kingdom, and grotesquely 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 and purity of His covenant people. It is a stark reminder that true worship of God necessitates conformity to His moral will in all areas of life, especially in the most intimate aspects of human existence.
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 exclusively within the boundaries of God's design, which unequivocally excludes all forms of perversion, including bestiality. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, purchased with a price, and therefore our lives are to reflect God's holiness in every sphere, especially our sexual conduct, which is a profound expression of our being. 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 profound love for God and a fervent desire to honor Him with our whole being, empowered by the Holy Spirit who indwells us and enables us to live according to His will.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the animal also killed?
Answer: The animal, though not morally culpable, was killed for several profound 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 and ritual integrity. Secondly, its death served as a complete eradication of the defiling element, preventing any future re-use of the animal in similar acts and ensuring the community was fully cleansed. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, killing the animal underscored the extreme gravity of the sin. It demonstrated 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. This act was a powerful visual lesson about the consequences of violating God's created order.
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 and Galatians 3:24-25), the moral principles underlying this law remain eternally relevant and binding. God's condemnation of bestiality and all forms of sexual perversion is rooted in His unchanging holy character and His perfect design for human sexuality. The New Testament consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman and unequivocally condemns all forms of sexual immorality, including acts that are unnatural or perverse (e.g., Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). 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, and a direct affront to His holiness.
What does "their blood [shall be] upon them" mean?
Answer: This is a legal idiom frequently found in the Old Testament (Leviticus 20:9, Ezekiel 33:4). 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 solemn declaration of their guilt and a divine justification for the execution, absolving the community and the executioner of any bloodguilt. This idiom emphasizes that the judgment is righteous, self-inflicted by the sin itself, and that the community, by carrying out the divine command, maintains its purity and integrity before God.
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. The Mosaic Law, while exposing the depth of human sin and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through perfect obedience to its demands (Romans 3:20), ultimately pointed to the desperate 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, once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 9:26). Through His atoning death and glorious 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, 2 Corinthians 3:18). 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). Thus, the terrifying severity of Leviticus 20:16 ultimately magnifies the immeasurable grace of Christ, who delivers us from sin's power and empowers us to pursue the very holiness that the Law demanded, enabling us to walk in newness of life.