Leviticus 18:19-23

19 “ ‘Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.

20 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.

21 “ ‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

22 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.

23 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.

Leviticus 18:19-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 18

In this chapter the Israelites are directed in general not to imitate the customs and practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites, but to keep the ordinances, statutes, and judgments of the Lord, Le 18:1-5; and they are instructed particularly to avoid incestuous marriages, Le 18:6-18; carnal copulation with a menstruous woman, Le 18:19; adultery, Le 18:20; letting any of their seed pass through the fire to Molech, Le 18:21; sodomy, Le 18:22; and bestiality, Le 18:23; and they are deterred from these things by observing to them the pollution and destruction which they brought on the inhabitants of Canaan, and would bring the same on them should they commit them, Le 18:24-30.

Cross References

• 1. S Leviticus 15:25-30
• 2. S Leviticus 15:24; Leviticus 20:18
• 3. S Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Matthew 5:27,28; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 13:4
• 4. Deuteronomy 12:31; Deuteronomy 18:10; 2 Kings 16:3; 2 Kings 17:17; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:1-4; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 106:37,38; Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 7:30,31; Jeremiah 19:5; Jeremiah 32:35; Ezekiel 16:20; Micah 6:7
• 5. Leviticus 20:2-5; Deuteronomy 9:4; 1Ki 11:5,7,33; Isaiah 57:9; Jeremiah 32:35; Jeremiah 49:1; Zephaniah 1:5
• 6. Leviticus 19:12; Leviticus 21:6; Isaiah 48:11; Ezekiel 22:26; Ezekiel 36:20; Amos 2:7; Malachi 1:12
• 7. S Exodus 6:2
• 8. Leviticus 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:18; Romans 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:9
• 9. S Genesis 19:5
• 10. Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15; Deuteronomy 27:21