Leviticus 19:20
New International Version
“’If a man sleeps with a female slave who is promised to another man but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed.

New Living Translation
“If a man has sex with a slave girl whose freedom has never been purchased but who is committed to become another man’s wife, he must pay full compensation to her master. But since she is not a free woman, neither the man nor the woman will be put to death.

English Standard Version
“If a man lies sexually with a woman who is a slave, assigned to another man and not yet ransomed or given her freedom, a distinction shall be made. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free;

Berean Standard Bible
If a man lies carnally with a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. But they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed.

King James Bible
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

New King James Version
‘Whoever lies carnally with a woman who is betrothed to a man as a concubine, and who has not at all been redeemed nor given her freedom, for this there shall be scourging; but they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

New American Standard Bible
‘Now if a man has sexual relations with a woman who is a slave acquired for another man, but who has in no way been redeemed nor given her freedom, there shall be punishment; they shall not, however, be put to death, because she was not free.

NASB 1995
Now if a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave acquired for another man, but who has in no way been redeemed nor given her freedom, there shall be punishment; they shall not, however, be put to death, because she was not free.

NASB 1977
‘Now if a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave acquired for another man, but who has in no way been redeemed, nor given her freedom, there shall be punishment; they shall not, however, be put to death, because she was not free.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Now if a man lies sexually with a woman who is a slave assigned to another man, but who has in no way been redeemed nor given her freedom, there shall be punishment; they shall not, however, be put to death because she was not free.

Amplified Bible
‘Now if a man has intimate relations with a woman who is a slave acquired for [marriage to] another man, but who has not been redeemed nor given her freedom, there shall be punishment [after an investigation]; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free;

Christian Standard Bible
“If a man has sexual intercourse with a woman who is a slave designated for another man, but she has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be punishment. They are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If a man has sexual intercourse with a woman who is a slave designated for another man, but she has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be punishment. They are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed.

American Standard Version
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

Contemporary English Version
If a man has sex with a slave woman who is promised in marriage to someone else, he must pay a fine, but they are not to be put to death. After all, she was still a slave at the time.

English Revised Version
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"If a man has sexual intercourse with a female slave who is engaged to another man and if her freedom was never bought or given to her, they should not be put to death. He will only pay a fine because she is a slave.

Good News Translation
"If a slave woman is the recognized concubine of a man and she has not been paid for and freed, then if another man has sexual relations with her, they will be punished, but not put to death, since she is a slave.

International Standard Version
"When a person has sexual relations with a woman servant who is engaged to another man, but she has not been completely redeemed nor has her freedom been granted to her, there is to be an inquiry, but they won't be put to death, since she has not been freed.

Majority Standard Bible
If a man lies carnally with a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. But they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed.

NET Bible
"'When a man has sexual intercourse with a woman, although she is a slave woman designated for another man and she has not yet been ransomed, or freedom has not been granted to her, there will be an obligation to pay compensation. They must not be put to death, because she was not free.

New Heart English Bible
"'If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed, or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

Webster's Bible Translation
And whoever lieth carnally with a woman that is a bond-maid betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged: they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

World English Bible
“‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when a man lies with a woman with seed [from] intercourse, and she [is] a maidservant, betrothed to a man, and not really ransomed, or freedom has not been given to her, there is an investigation; they are not put to death, for she [is] not free.

Young's Literal Translation
And when a man lieth with a woman with seed of copulation, and she a maid-servant, betrothed to a man, and not really ransomed, or freedom hath not been given to her, an investigation there is; they are not put to death, for she is not free.

Smith's Literal Translation
And when a man shall lie with a woman with effusion of seed, and she a maid-servant betrothed to a man, and not redeemed by ransoming, and freedom not given to her, there shall be a punishment: they shall not die because she was not free.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If a man carnally lie with a woman that is a bondservant and marriageable, and yet not redeemed with a price, nor made free: they both shall be scourged, and they shall not be put to death, because she was not a free woman.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If a man will have slept in sexual intercourse with a woman, who is a servant and who is also able to be married, and yet he has not redeemed her with a price, nor paid to set her free, they both shall be beaten, but they shall not die, for she was not a free woman.

New American Bible
If a man has sexual relations with a female slave who has been acquired by another man but has not yet been redeemed or given her freedom, an investigation shall be made. They shall not be put to death, because she has not been freed.

New Revised Standard Version
If a man has sexual relations with a woman who is a slave, designated for another man but not ransomed or given her freedom, an inquiry shall be held. They shall not be put to death, since she has not been freed;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And whosoever lies carnally with a woman who is his bondmaid betrothed to a husband, and not yet redeemed nor given her freedom, an inquiry shall be made into their case; and they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a man who will lie down with a woman copulating with seed, and she is a Maidservant purchased by the man and has not been redeemed, neither has liberty been given to her, they shall inquire about them and they shall not be killed, because she was not free.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, designated for a man, and not at all redeemed, nor was freedom given her; there shall be inquisition; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if any one lie carnally with a woman, and she should be a home-servant kept for a man, and she has not been ransomed, and her freedom has not been given to her, they shall be visited with punishment; but they shall not die, because she was not set at liberty.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Keep My Decrees
19You are to keep My statutes. You shall not crossbreed two different kinds of livestock; you shall not sow your fields with two kinds of seed; and you shall not wear clothing made of two kinds of material. 20If a man lies carnally with a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. But they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. 21The man, however, must bring a ram to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting as his guilt offering to the LORD.…

Cross References
Exodus 21:7-11
And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. / If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. / And if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter. ...

Deuteronomy 22:23-24
If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, / you must take both of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Exodus 22:16-17
If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife. / If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29
If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, / then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.

Numbers 5:12-31
“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him / by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), / and if a feeling of jealousy comes over her husband and he suspects his wife who has defiled herself—or if a feeling of jealousy comes over him and he suspects her even though she has not defiled herself— ...

Deuteronomy 21:10-14
When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive, / if you see a beautiful woman among them, and you desire her and want to take her as your wife, / then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails, ...

1 Corinthians 7:21-23
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. / For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

Romans 6:16-18
Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:1-2
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Ephesians 6:5-9
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...

Colossians 3:22-25
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ...

Philemon 1:15-16
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

1 Peter 2:18-20
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. / For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. / How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Genesis 16:1-6
Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And whoever lies carnally with a woman, that is a female slave, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.

betrothed to an husband.

she shall be scourged.

Exodus 21:20,21
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished…

Deuteronomy 22:23,24
If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; …

Jump to Previous
Betrothed Bondmaid Bond-Maid Carnally Copulation Death Designated Due Free Freedom Girl Held However Husband Inquiry Lies Married Pledged Price Promised Punished Punishment Ransomed Redeemed Relations Scourged Servant-Woman Sex Slave Sleeps Way Word
Jump to Next
Betrothed Bondmaid Bond-Maid Carnally Copulation Death Designated Due Free Freedom Girl Held However Husband Inquiry Lies Married Pledged Price Promised Punished Punishment Ransomed Redeemed Relations Scourged Servant-Woman Sex Slave Sleeps Way Word
Leviticus 19
1. A repetition of various laws














If a man has sexual relations
This phrase addresses the act of sexual intercourse, which in the Hebrew context is often described with the term "shakab," meaning to lie down. The act is not merely physical but carries significant moral and legal implications within the community. In ancient Israel, sexual relations were governed by strict laws to maintain social order and holiness, reflecting God's covenant with His people.

with a slave girl
The term "slave girl" refers to a female servant or bondwoman, known in Hebrew as "amah." In the ancient Near Eastern context, slavery was a common social institution, though it differed significantly from modern conceptions of slavery. A slave girl in Israelite society had certain protections under the law, reflecting a measure of dignity and worth even within her servitude.

promised to another man
This phrase indicates a betrothal, a formal agreement for marriage. In Hebrew culture, betrothal was as binding as marriage itself, and breaking it required a formal divorce. The betrothal of a slave girl would have been a legal arrangement, highlighting the seriousness of the commitment and the expectation of fidelity.

but who has not been redeemed
Redemption, from the Hebrew "ga'al," involves the act of buying back or freeing someone from bondage. This reflects the broader biblical theme of redemption, where God redeems His people from slavery and sin. The lack of redemption here indicates that the slave girl remains under her master's authority, complicating her betrothal status.

or given her freedom
Freedom, or "chuphshah" in Hebrew, signifies release from servitude. The absence of freedom for the slave girl underscores her vulnerable position and the legal complexities surrounding her status. This highlights the tension between her betrothal and her current state of bondage.

there must be due punishment
The requirement for punishment, or "biqqoreth," implies a legal consequence for the act. This reflects the justice system in ancient Israel, which sought to uphold moral and social order. The punishment serves as a deterrent and a means of maintaining community integrity.

Yet they are not to be put to death
This clause provides a measure of mercy, indicating that the offense, while serious, does not warrant the death penalty. In the context of Levitical law, certain sexual sins were punishable by death, but the mitigating circumstances here—specifically the slave girl's lack of freedom—alter the severity of the punishment.

because she had not been freed
The lack of freedom is a critical factor in the judgment. It acknowledges the slave girl's limited agency and the complexities of her situation. This reflects a compassionate understanding within the law, recognizing the constraints placed upon her by her social and legal status.

(20) And whosoever lieth.--Better, If a man lie, as the same phrase is translated in the Authorised Version, Leviticus 22:14; Leviticus 24:19; Leviticus 25:29; Leviticus 27:14.

Betrothed to an husband.--Better, betrothed to a man. From the law about the mixed seeds the Lawgiver passes to heterogeneous alliances. The case here legislated for is that of seducing a bondwoman who is espoused to another man. This bondwoman might be either one of an intermediate kind, that is, one whose redemption money had been partially paid, or belong to that class who had no prospect of a free discharge. According to the administrators of the law during the second Temple, the case before us is that of a Canaanitish maid, partly free and partly servile, whom her master had espoused to a Hebrew slave. (See Exodus 21:4.) . . .

Verses 20-22. - A distinction is drawn between adultery with a free woman, or a betrothed free virgin, which was punishable with death (Leviticus 20:20; Deuteronomy 22:23), and with a slave betrothed to another man (probably a slave also). In the latter ease a lesser punishment, no doubt that of scourging (according to the Mishna to the extent of forty stripes), was to be inflicted on one or both, according to the circumstances of the case. The words, she shall he scourged, should be translated, there shall be investigation, followed, presumably, by the punishment of scourging, for both parties if both were guilty, for one if the woman was unwilling. The man is afterwards to offer a trespass offering. As the offense has been a wrong as well as a sin, his offering is to be a trespass offering (see on Leviticus 5:14). In this case the fine of one-fifth could not be inflicted, as the wrong done could not be estimated by money, and the cost of the ram seems to be regarded as the required satisfaction. No mention is made of damages to be paid to the man to whom the slave-girl was betrothed, probably because he was himself a slave, and had not juridical rights against a freeman.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a man
וְ֠אִישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

has sexual relations with
יִשְׁכַּ֨ב (yiš·kaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

a slave girl
שִׁפְחָה֙ (šip̄·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8198: Maid, maidservant

promised
נֶחֱרֶ֣פֶת (ne·ḥĕ·re·p̄eṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 2778: To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter

to another man
לְאִ֔ישׁ (lə·’îš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

but who has not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

been redeemed
וְהָפְדֵּה֙ (wə·hā·p̄ə·dêh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6299: To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve

or
א֥וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

given
נִתַּן־ (nit·tan-)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

her freedom,
חֻפְשָׁ֖ה (ḥup̄·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2668: Liberty

there must be
תִּהְיֶ֛ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

due punishment.
בִּקֹּ֧רֶת (biq·qō·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1244: Examination, punishment

[But] they are not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to be put to death,
יוּמְת֖וּ (yū·mə·ṯū)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

because
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she had not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

been freed.
חֻפָּֽשָׁה׃ (ḥup·pā·šāh)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2666: To spread loose, to manumit


Links
Leviticus 19:20 NIV
Leviticus 19:20 NLT
Leviticus 19:20 ESV
Leviticus 19:20 NASB
Leviticus 19:20 KJV

Leviticus 19:20 BibleApps.com
Leviticus 19:20 Biblia Paralela
Leviticus 19:20 Chinese Bible
Leviticus 19:20 French Bible
Leviticus 19:20 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Leviticus 19:20 If a man lies carnally (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 19:19
Top of Page
Top of Page