Leviticus 18:23
Leviticus 18:23 in Multiple Translations
You must not lie carnally with any animal, thus defiling yourself with it; a woman must not stand before an animal to mate with it; that is a perversion.
Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
And you may not have sex relations with a beast, making yourself unclean with it; and a woman may not give herself to a beast: it is an unnatural act.
Don't have sex with any animal. This would pollute you and make you unclean.
Thou shalt not also lie with any beast to bee defiled therewith, neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie downe thereto: for it is abomination.
'And with any beast thou dost not give thy copulation, for uncleanness with it; and a woman doth not stand before a beast to lie down with it; confusion it [is].
“‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.
Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
Thou shalt not copulate with any beast, neither shalt thou be defiled with it. A woman shall not lie down to a beast, nor copulate with it: because it is a heinous crime.
“No one, man or woman, should ◄defile himself/cause himself to become unacceptable to me► by having sex with an animal; that is a perverse act.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 18:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 18:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בְ/כָל
בְּהֵמָ֛ה
לֹא
תִתֵּ֥ן
שְׁכָבְתְּ/ךָ֖
לְ/טָמְאָה
בָ֑/הּ
וְ/אִשָּׁ֗ה
לֹֽא
תַעֲמֹ֞ד
לִ/פְנֵ֧י
בְהֵמָ֛ה
לְ/רִבְעָ֖/הּ
תֶּ֥בֶל
הֽוּא
וּ/בְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | Prep | N-ms
בְּהֵמָ֛ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
N-fs
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִתֵּ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
שְׁכָבְתְּ/ךָ֖
shᵉkôbeth
H7903
copulation
N-fs | Suff
לְ/טָמְאָה
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בָ֑/הּ
Prep | Suff
וְ/אִשָּׁ֗ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
Conj | N-fs
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תַעֲמֹ֞ד
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
לִ/פְנֵ֧י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
בְהֵמָ֛ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
N-fs
לְ/רִבְעָ֖/הּ
râbaʻ
H7250
to mate
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
תֶּ֥בֶל
tebel
H8397
perversion
N-ms
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 18:23
וּ/בְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּהֵמָ֛ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִתֵּ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
שְׁכָבְתְּ/ךָ֖
shᵉkôbeth
H7903
"copulation"
N-fs | Suff
Copulation refers to the act of lying with someone, often in a sexual context. It is used in the Bible to describe human relationships and intimacy.
Definition: copulation
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] lie. See also: Leviticus 18:20; Leviticus 20:15; Numbers 5:20.
לְ/טָמְאָה
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
בָ֑/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
וְ/אִשָּׁ֗ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
Conj | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תַעֲמֹ֞ד
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
לִ/פְנֵ֧י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
בְהֵמָ֛ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
לְ/רִבְעָ֖/הּ
râbaʻ
H7250
"to mate"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
The Hebrew word for to mate means to lie down or squat, often referring to animals. It's used in the Bible to describe animal breeding or inappropriate behavior with animals.
Definition: 1) to lie stretched out, lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie down 1a1a) for repose 1a1b) for copulation (of woman with beast) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to lay down (of cattle breeding) Also means: re.va (רֶבַע "to lie down" H7252)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: let gender, lie down. See also: Leviticus 18:23; Leviticus 19:19; Leviticus 20:16.
תֶּ֥בֶל
tebel
H8397
"perversion"
N-ms
This Hebrew word describes a perversion of nature, like bestiality or other unnatural behaviors. It's used in the book of Leviticus to condemn such actions as sinful.
Definition: 1) confusion (violation of nature or divine order) 1a) perversion (in sexual sin)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: confusion. See also: Leviticus 18:23; Leviticus 20:12.
הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
Study Notes — Leviticus 18:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 18:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
Context — Unlawful Sexual Relations
21You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
22You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.
23You must not lie carnally with any animal, thus defiling yourself with it; a woman must not stand before an animal to mate with it; that is a perversion.
24Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. 25Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 22:19 | Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death. |
| 2 | Leviticus 20:15–16 | If a man lies carnally with an animal, he must be put to death. And you are also to kill the animal. If a woman approaches any animal to mate with it, you must kill both the woman and the animal. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. |
| 3 | Leviticus 20:12 | If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both must surely be put to death. They have acted perversely; their blood is upon them. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 27:21 | ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ |
Leviticus 18:23 Summary
[Leviticus 18:23 teaches us that it is wrong to have sexual relations with animals, because this act defiles us and goes against God's created order (Genesis 1:25). This verse reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should strive to keep them pure and holy (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). By following God's commands and maintaining purity in our relationships, we can avoid the spiritual and physical consequences of sin and live a life that honors God (Proverbs 11:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:7).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the prohibition against bestiality in Leviticus 18:23?
This prohibition is significant because it highlights the importance of maintaining the boundaries between humans and animals, as created by God (Genesis 1:25, Psalm 8:6-8).
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Leviticus 18?
Leviticus 18:23 is part of a larger section that emphasizes the need for Israel to distinguish itself from the surrounding nations by adhering to God's moral standards (Leviticus 18:1-5, Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
What is the spiritual implication of engaging in bestiality according to this verse?
According to Leviticus 18:23, engaging in bestiality results in defilement, which is a spiritual concept that refers to the corruption of one's relationship with God (Leviticus 18:24, Ezekiel 36:17).
How does this verse apply to Christians today?
While the specific laws in Leviticus 18:23 may not directly apply to Christians, the underlying principle of maintaining purity and holiness in our relationships with God and others remains relevant (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which our culture may be blurring the lines between humans and animals, and how can we maintain a biblical perspective on this issue?
- How can we balance the need for compassion and understanding towards those who may be struggling with perverse desires with the need to uphold God's moral standards?
- In what ways can we practically apply the principle of purity and holiness in our own lives, and what are some potential consequences of neglecting this principle?
- How can we use Leviticus 18:23 as a conversation starter to discuss the importance of biblical morality and the dangers of deviating from God's standards?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 18:23
Neither shall thou lie with any beast, to defile thyself therewith,.... A female one, as Aben Ezra notes, as a mare, cow, or ewe, or any other beast, small or great, as Ben Gersom, or whether tame or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 18:23
Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
A horrible confusion of the natures which God hath distinguished, and of the order which God hath appointed, and an overthrow of. all bounds of religion, honesty, sobriety, and modesty.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
Leviticus 18:23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it [is] confusion.Ver. 23. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast.] See what a foul sink of sin man’ s nature is! Who would think that any such surpassing wickedness - so Aristotle calls bestiality - should ever enter into man’ s heart? But "there, as in the sea, is that Leviathan," the devil, and there are "creeping things," abominable and ugly lusts, "innumerable." υπερβαλλουσατιςκακιαηθηριστης. 2. Mag. Mor., cap. 5.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
(23) Any beast.—The necessity for the prohibition of this shocking crime, for which the Mosaic law enacts the penalty of death (see Leviticus 20:15-16; Exodus 22:18), will appear all the more important when it is borne in mind that this degrading practice actually formed a part of the religious worship of the Egyptians in connection with the goat deities.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
Verse 23. With any beast] This abomination is also punishable with death by the laws of this country. Any woman stand before a beast] That this was often done in Egypt there can be no doubt; and we have already seen, from the testimony of Herodotus, that a fact of this kind actually took place while he was in Egypt. See Clarke on Leviticus 17:7, and "Leviticus 20:16".
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 18:23
23. With any beast — Let him who denies the inherent depravity of man study this prohibition. This prohibition implies the sacredness and dignity of human nature, inasmuch as the abomination was punished by death.