Exodus 22:19

19 "Put to death any man who has sexual relations with an animal. 1

Exodus 22:19 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 19 Whosoever lieth with a beast
In like manner as a man and woman, by carnal copulation; this is a crime so detestable and abominable, so shocking and dishonourable to human nature, that one would think it could never be committed by any of the human species, and that there was no occasion for making a law against it; but, such is the depravity and corruption of mankind, that divine wisdom saw it necessary, and, to deter from it, made it death, as follows; such an one

shall surely be put to death;
no mercy shown him, no pardon or respite given him by the civil magistrate: according to the Targum of Jonathan, the death of such a person was by stoning, for it paraphrases the words,

``he shall be killed with the casting of stones.''

Exodus 22:19 In-Context

17 But if her father refuses to let him marry her, he must pay the father a sum of money equal to the bride price for a virgin.
18 "Put to death any woman who practices magic.
19 "Put to death any man who has sexual relations with an animal.
20 "Condemn to death anyone who offers sacrifices to any god except to me, the Lord.
21 "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner; remember that you were foreigners in Egypt.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 22.19Leviticus 18.23; 20.15, 16;Deuteronomy 27.21.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.