Exodus 22:19

19 Every one that lies with a beast ye shall surely put to death.

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 And if her father positively refuse, and will not consent to give her to him for a wife, he shall pay compensation to her father according to the amount of the dowry of virgins.

18 Ye shall not save the lives of sorcerers.

19 Every one that lies with a beast ye shall surely put to death.

20 He that sacrifices to any gods but to the Lord alone, shall be destroyed by death.

21 And ye shall not hurt a stranger, nor afflict him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.