Exodus 22:19
New International Version
“Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death.

New Living Translation
“Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must certainly be put to death.

English Standard Version
“Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.

Berean Standard Bible
Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.

King James Bible
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

New King James Version
“Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

New American Standard Bible
“Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death.

NASB 1995
“Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

NASB 1977
“Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Amplified Bible
“Whoever lies with an animal must be put to death.

Christian Standard Bible
“Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death.”

American Standard Version
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

Contemporary English Version
Death is the punishment for having sex with an animal.

English Revised Version
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death.

Good News Translation
"Put to death any man who has sexual relations with an animal.

International Standard Version
"Whoever has sexual relations with an animal is certainly to be put to death.

NET Bible
"Whoever has sexual relations with a beast must surely be put to death.

New Heart English Bible
"Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Webster's Bible Translation
Whoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.

World English Bible
“Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever lies with a beast is certainly put to death.

Young's Literal Translation
'Whoever lieth with a beast is certainly put to death.

Smith's Literal Translation
Every one lying with a quadruped, dying, shall die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whosoever copulateth with a beast shall be put to death.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal shall be put to death.

New American Bible
Anyone who lies with an animal shall be put to death.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And everyone whoever will have sexual intercourse with an animal shall surely be killed.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Every one that lies with a beast ye shall surely put to death.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws of Social Responsibility
18You must not allow a sorceress to live. 19Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death. 20If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.…

Cross References
Leviticus 18:23
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.

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.

Deuteronomy 27:21
‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 1:26-27
For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. / Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

1 Timothy 1:9-10
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God.

Genesis 6:5-7
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. / And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. / So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”

Genesis 19:5
They called out to Lot, saying, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have relations with them!”

Judges 19:22-24
While they were enjoying themselves, suddenly the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they said to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him!” / The owner of the house went out and said to them, “No, my brothers, do not do this wicked thing! After all, this man is a guest in my house. Do not commit this outrage. / Look, let me bring out my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine, and you can use them and do with them as you wish. But do not do such a vile thing to this man.”

2 Peter 2:6-8
if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; / and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless / (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

Jude 1:7
In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

1 Kings 14:24
There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.


Treasury of Scripture

Whoever lies with a beast shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 18:23,25
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…

Leviticus 20:15,16
And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast…

Deuteronomy 27:21
Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

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Exodus 22
1. Of Theft
5. Of damage
7. Of trespasses
14. Of borrowing
16. Of fornication
18. Of witchcraft
19. Of bestiality
20. Of idolatry
21. Of strangers, widows, and fatherless
25. Of usury
26. Of pledges
28. Of reverence to magistrates
29. Of the first fruits
31. Of torn flesh














Whoever lies with an animal
This phrase addresses the act of bestiality, which is explicitly condemned in the Mosaic Law. The prohibition against such acts is rooted in the creation order established in Genesis, where God created distinct categories of life, each with its own purpose and boundaries. Bestiality is seen as a violation of these boundaries and an affront to the sanctity of human sexuality, which is intended to reflect the image of God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such practices were sometimes associated with pagan rituals and fertility rites, making this command also a safeguard against idolatry and moral corruption.

must surely be put to death.
The prescribed penalty underscores the severity with which this sin is viewed. The death penalty reflects the gravity of the offense and serves as a deterrent to maintain the holiness of the community. In the broader biblical narrative, the holiness code in Leviticus reiterates this command, emphasizing the need for Israel to be set apart from the surrounding nations. This punishment also highlights the concept of divine justice, where the consequences of sin are met with appropriate retribution. The ultimate fulfillment of justice is seen in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who bears the penalty for sin, offering redemption and restoration to those who repent.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Exodus, who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. He is the central human figure in the account of the Exodus and the giving of the Law.

2. Israelites
The recipients of the Law, who were being formed into a covenant community distinct from the surrounding nations.

3. Mount Sinai
The place where God delivered the Law to Moses, including the moral, civil, and ceremonial laws that governed Israelite society.

4. Canaan
The land into which the Israelites were entering, where they would encounter various pagan practices, including those prohibited by this law.

5. Pagan Nations
The surrounding cultures that practiced idolatry and immoral acts, which the Israelites were commanded to avoid and not emulate.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Distinction
God calls His people to be holy and distinct from the surrounding cultures. This law underscores the importance of maintaining purity and rejecting practices that defile the body and soul.

The Sanctity of Creation
This commandment reflects the sanctity of God's created order. It reminds believers to respect the boundaries God has set within creation, including human sexuality.

Seriousness of Sin
The severe penalty for this sin highlights the seriousness with which God views violations of His moral law. It serves as a warning to take sin seriously and to pursue righteousness.

Community Responsibility
The communal aspect of the law indicates that the community is responsible for upholding God's standards and ensuring that sin is addressed and not tolerated.

Redemption and Forgiveness
While the Old Testament law prescribed death for certain sins, the New Testament offers redemption and forgiveness through Christ. Believers are called to repentance and transformation through the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 22:19?

2. How does Exodus 22:19 emphasize the seriousness of idolatry in ancient Israel?

3. What does "put to death" in Exodus 22:19 reveal about God's holiness?

4. How can we guard against modern forms of idolatry in our lives today?

5. How does Exodus 22:19 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3?

6. What practical steps can Christians take to uphold God's standards in Exodus 22:19?

7. Why does Exodus 22:19 prescribe the death penalty for bestiality?

8. How does Exodus 22:19 reflect the moral standards of ancient Israel?

9. What historical context influenced the laws in Exodus 22:19?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 22?

11. What does the Bible say about bestiality?

12. Exodus 19:12-13: Why would a supposedly loving God require the death penalty for anyone (or even an animal) that merely touches the mountain?

13. Is it okay to lie? (Exodus 20:16 vs. 1 Kings 22:21-22)

14. What does 'breaking of bread' mean?
What Does Exodus 22:19 Mean
Whoever

The verse opens with a sweeping word that leaves no loophole. God’s moral standard applies to every person—male or female, Israelite or foreigner, leader or laborer.

Exodus 12:49 reminds us, “The same law shall apply to the native and the foreign resident.”

Leviticus 24:22 echoes, “You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born.”

Romans 3:23 underlines the universal reach of sin and accountability: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

No one escapes God’s righteous expectations or His righteous judgments.


lies with an animal

Here the specific act is bestiality. Scripture consistently condemns any attempt to blur the God-given boundary between humans and animals.

Leviticus 18:23 plainly states, “You must not have sexual relations with any animal and thus defile yourself with it.”

Leviticus 20:15-16 repeats the prohibition and attaches the same penalty as Exodus 22:19.

Deuteronomy 27:21 says, “Cursed is he who lies with any animal.”

Genesis 1:26-28 highlights humanity’s unique role: created in God’s image to rule over, not merge with, the animal world.

Romans 1:24-27 shows how turning from the Creator leads to degrading passions and distorted relationships.

Bestiality violates creation order, profanes the human body, and mocks the distinction between creature and image-bearer.


must surely be

The double assurance—“must surely”—underscores God’s resolve. This is not a suggestion or mere social guideline; it is a divine imperative carrying full weight.

Genesis 2:17 uses the same emphatic wording about the consequence of sin in Eden.

Exodus 21:12 declares, “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must surely be put to death.”

Numbers 15:35 shows the phrase again when God prescribes judgment for Sabbath breaking.

The repetition signals certainty: God’s justice is neither arbitrary nor negotiable.


put to death

In ancient Israel, bestiality warranted capital punishment. That severe penalty teaches several truths:

• Sin earns death (Romans 6:23). Civil execution in Israel prefigured the ultimate judgment awaiting unrepentant sinners.

• God’s holiness cannot coexist with flagrant defilement (Habakkuk 1:13).

• The moral law revealed here remains fixed, though the civil penalty belonged to Israel’s theocratic system. Modern governments may not enforce this specific sanction, yet the underlying offense remains just as abhorrent to God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Hebrews 13:4).

• Christ bore the death our sins deserve (1 Peter 3:18). Those who repent and trust Him escape the eternal sentence even while acknowledging the law’s righteousness.


summary

Exodus 22:19 declares that every person is accountable to God; bestiality flagrantly violates His created order; the emphatic “must surely” reveals His unwavering justice; and the commanded execution in Israel underscores both the gravity of the sin and the lethal wages of all sin. While the civil penalty pertained to ancient Israel, the moral warning endures, calling believers today to uphold God’s design for human purity and to rejoice that, through Christ, mercy meets the demands of perfect holiness.

(19) The sin here denounced was common among the Canaanitish nations (Leviticus 18:24), and not unknown in Egypt (Herod. ii. 46). It was therefore necessary that God's abhorrence of it should be distinctly declared to Israel.

Verse 19. - Law against unnatural crime. The abomination here mentioned is said to have prevailed in Egypt, and even to have formed part of the Egyptian religion (Herod. 2:46; Strab. 17. p. 802; Clem. A1. Cohort. ad Gentes, p. 9; etc.). Though regarded by the Greeks and Romans as disgusting and contemptible, it does not seem to have been made a crime by any of their legislators. It was, however, condemned by the Gentoo laws and by the laws of Menu (11:17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Whoever
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

has sexual relations
שֹׁכֵ֥ב (šō·ḵêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

an animal
בְּהֵמָ֖ה (bə·hê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

must surely be put to death.
מ֥וֹת (mō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Law: Exodus 22:19 Whoever has sex with an animal shall (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 22:18
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