Leviticus 20:18

Commentary on Leviticus 20:18 (KJV)

Leviticus 20:18 is part of a larger chapter detailing various sexual prohibitions and their severe consequences, emphasizing God's call for holiness among His people, Israel. These laws were crucial for establishing Israel's distinct identity as a holy nation, set apart from the pagan practices of surrounding cultures.

Context

Chapter 20 of Leviticus serves as a powerful reiteration and expansion of the laws given earlier in chapters 18 and 19. It outlines a series of capital offenses, particularly those related to sexual immorality, idolatry, and dishonoring parents. The repeated phrase "ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2) underscores the overarching theme: Israel's conduct was to reflect God's own pure and righteous character. This specific verse addresses sexual relations during a woman's menstrual period, which was considered a state of ritual impurity.

Key Themes

• Ritual Purity and Holiness: The prohibition is rooted in the concept of ritual purity. During menstruation, a woman was considered ritually unclean (Leviticus 15:19-24), and anything she touched or anyone who touched her became unclean. Sexual relations during this time were seen as a profound violation of this sacred separation, defiling both individuals and the sanctuary.
• Respect for Life and the Body: While not explicitly stated, the prohibition also subtly honors the sacredness of life and the human body. Blood, especially "the fountain of her blood," was intrinsically linked to life itself, and its shedding outside of specific ritual contexts (like sacrifice) was often associated with defilement or death.
• Divine Judgment and Consequences: The severe penalty, "both of them shall be cut off from among their people," highlights the seriousness of this transgression in God's eyes. This phrase, kareth (כָּרַת) in Hebrew, typically implies excommunication from the community, loss of covenant blessings, or even premature death at the hand of God, signifying a complete separation from the covenant people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "her sickness" refers to the woman's menstrual period. The expressions "uncover her nakedness," "discovered her fountain," and "uncovered the fountain of her blood" are euphemisms for sexual intercourse. The term "cut off" (Hebrew: kareth) is a powerful legal and theological term in the Old Testament, signifying a divinely ordained punishment that removed the offender from the covenant community, often implying spiritual separation and a loss of identity as one of God's people.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual laws regarding menstruation are part of the Old Covenant and are not directly applied to believers under the New Covenant (where physical uncleanness does not equate to spiritual defilement, as seen in Mark 7:19), the underlying principles remain highly relevant:

• Holiness in Relationships: The verse underscores God's demand for holiness and purity within sexual relationships. It teaches respect for God's design for intimacy and highlights the seriousness of defiling acts.
• Reverence for the Body: It encourages a high view of the human body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), to be used in ways that honor God.
• Consequences of Disobedience: The severe penalty reminds us that sin, particularly that which defiles and disrupts God's order, carries serious consequences, both individually and for the community.

Ultimately, this verse reinforces the enduring biblical truth that God desires His people to live lives of purity and holiness, reflecting His own character in all aspects of their lives, including their most intimate relationships.