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Leviticus 20 Laws About Sexual Relations

1 Punishments for Sin
The Lord said to Moses,

2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any alien living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the community are to stone him.

3 I will set my face against that man and I will cut him off from his people; for by giving his children to Molech, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name.

4 If the people of the community close their eyes when that man gives one of his children to Molech and they fail to put him to death,

5 I will set my face against that man and his family and will cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molech.

6 “‘I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people.

7 “‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.

8 Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

9 “‘If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head.

10 “‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.

11 “‘If a man sleeps with his father’s wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

12 “‘If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. What they have done is a perversion; their blood will be on their own heads.

13 “‘If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

14 “‘If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is wicked. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that no wickedness will be among you.

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

16 “‘If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

17 “‘If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off before the eyes of their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible.

18 “‘If a man lies with a woman during her monthly period and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has also uncovered it. Both of them must be cut off from their people.

19 “‘Do not have sexual relations with the sister of either your mother or your father, for that would dishonor a close relative; both of you would be held responsible.

20 “‘If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has dishonored his uncle. They will be held responsible; they will die childless.

21 “‘If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless.

22 “‘Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.

23 You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.

24 But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations.

25 “‘You must therefore make a distinction between clean and unclean animals and between unclean and clean birds. Do not defile yourselves by any animal or bird or anything that moves along the ground—those which I have set apart as unclean for you.

26 You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

27 “‘A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.’”

Analysis of Leviticus Chapter 20

Leviticus Chapter 20 is an integral part of the Holiness Code, which ranges from Leviticus 17 to Leviticus 26. This chapter specifically addresses the severity of certain sins and the corresponding punishments, emphasizing God’s requirements for holiness for the Israelite community. To understand the deeper significance of this chapter, we need to examine the various prohibitions and their associated penalties in detail, as well as their broader theological and societal implications.

Overview and Structure

Leviticus 20 can be broadly divided into the following sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Prohibitions against Molek worship
  2. Verses 6-8: Condemnation of seeking mediums and spiritists
  3. Verses 9-21: Laws addressing various forms of sexual immorality and other disgraceful acts
  4. Verses 22-27: Closing exhortation to holiness and separation

Prohibitions Against Molek Worship (Verses 1-5)

The chapter opens with prohibitions against giving one’s children to Molek, a practice that was rampant among the Canaanite tribes. The text states:

The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him. I myself will set my face against him and will cut him off from his people; for by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name.'” (Leviticus 20:1-3)

This section underscores the absolute prohibition of child sacrifice, an abhorrent practice that desecrates God’s holy sanctuary. The severity of the punishment—death by stoning—reflects the gravity of the sin. It is crucial to understand that Molek worship wasn’t just a foreign religious practice but represented a profound moral and spiritual corruption. Sacrificing children to Molek signified a total rejection of God’s commandments and showed allegiance to pagan gods, thus profaning His holy name.

Condemnation of Mediums and Spiritists (Verses 6-8)

Following the prohibition against Molek worship, the text transitions to condemning mediums and spiritists:

“I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people. Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” (Leviticus 20:6-8)

Seeking out mediums and spiritists was seen as an act of infidelity to God, akin to prostituting oneself. Engaging in these practices represented a rejection of God’s sovereignty and His guidance. The punishment of being “cut off” signifies a form of divine excommunication, severing the individual from the covenant community. The call to be holy because God is holy underscores the central theme of Leviticus—holiness. The Israelites are to consecrate themselves and adhere strictly to God’s laws, distinguishing themselves from other nations.

Laws Addressing Sexual Immorality (Verses 9-21)

This section addresses a series of sexual sins and their corresponding capital punishments. It covers a broad spectrum of prohibited behaviors:

  • Verse 9: Cursing father or mother
  • Verses 10-12: Adultery and incestuous relationships
  • Verses 13-16: Homosexual acts and bestiality
  • Verses 17-21: Other incestuous relationships and unlawful unions

“If anyone curses their father or mother, they must be put to death. Because they have cursed their father or mother, their blood will be on their own head.” (Leviticus 20:9)

Cursing one’s parents is considered a serious offense, showing a lack of respect for family and authority, which are foundational to a stable society. The principle of “their blood will be on their own head” implies that the individual is responsible for their actions and the consequent punishment.

“If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:10)

Adultery is strictly condemned, as it violates the sanctity of marriage, a covenant relationship that mirrors the covenant between God and His people. The severity of the punishment reflects the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of marriage.

Subsequent verses detail various other prohibited sexual relationships, each carrying significant punishments. The common thread in these verses is the preservation of family structure and social stability, which are crucial for maintaining a holy community. By setting these boundaries, the Israelite community was to maintain purity and avoid the moral decay prevalent among their neighboring cultures.

Exhortation to Holiness and Separation (Verses 22-27)

The chapter concludes with an exhortation to obey God’s laws and maintain holiness:

“Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.” (Leviticus 20:22-23)

God emphasizes the importance of following His decrees to avoid being expelled from the Promised Land. The imagery of the land “vomiting out” its inhabitants symbolizes the inevitable consequences of disobedience. The Israelites are to differentiate themselves by adhering to God’s standards, contrasting the detestable practices of the nations they are displacing.

“You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.” (Leviticus 20:26)

Here we see the essence of the Holiness Code—the Israelites are God’s chosen people, set apart to reflect His holiness. Their distinctive lifestyle, governed by these laws, serves as a testimony to the surrounding nations of God’s character and His expectations for His followers.

Theological and Societal Implications

The decrees found in Leviticus 20, though harsh by modern standards, served a dual purpose: they maintained the moral and spiritual purity of the Israelite community and underscored the seriousness of violating God’s commands. In essence, these laws functioned as a societal safeguard, preventing the Israelites from descending into the same moral depravity that characterized the nations around them.

The emphasis on capital punishment for various sins highlights the concept of divine justice. These punishments were meant not only to purge evil from the community but also to deter others from engaging in such activities. It is important to note that these laws were given in a specific historical and cultural context, designed to shape a fledgling nation into a people wholly dedicated to God.

The repeated call to holiness reflects a broader theological principle: God’s people must mirror His holiness in every aspect of their lives. This holiness is not merely ritualistic but encompasses moral and ethical behavior. The Israelites’ commitment to these laws was a testament to their covenant relationship with God, who, in turn, promised to dwell among them and bless them.

Conclusion

Leviticus Chapter 20 is a profound exploration of God’s demands for holiness and the corresponding consequences of failing to adhere to His commandments. The severe penalties for specific sins underscore the importance of maintaining both moral and societal purity. Through these laws, God sought to establish a community that would be distinct from the surrounding nations, reflecting His holiness and righteousness.

In a broader sense, Leviticus 20 speaks to the timeless principle that actions have consequences and that living in accordance with God’s will requires a wholehearted commitment to His laws. While some of the specific punishments may seem archaic to contemporary readers, the underlying message of holiness, justice, and communal responsibility remains relevant.

Ultimately, this chapter challenges readers to consider the importance of maintaining personal and communal holiness, serving as a reminder of the serious nature of sin and the transformative power of living in obedience to God’s commands.