What is the meaning of Leviticus 20:16? The Forbidden Act “If a woman approaches any animal to mate with it…” (Leviticus 20:16a) • God describes an act that violates His created order for sexuality (Genesis 2:24). • Bestiality is labeled “perversion” in a parallel passage (Leviticus 18:23) and brings a curse (Deuteronomy 27:21). • The wording shows deliberate intention—she “approaches” with purpose, emphasizing moral responsibility (Romans 1:24-25). The Commanded Punishment “…you must kill both the woman and the animal…” (Leviticus 20:16b) • The death penalty highlights the gravity of corrupting God’s design (Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15). • Killing the animal removes the instrument of defilement and deters pagan rites where beasts were considered sacred. • Corporate responsibility: the community “must” act, not leaving judgment to private opinion. The Certainty of Judgment “They must surely be put to death…” (Leviticus 20:16c) • The double assurance “must surely” stresses that the sentence is not optional (Numbers 15:30-31). • God’s holiness demands a consistent standard; excusing such sin would erode communal purity (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). The Principle of Personal Guilt “…their blood is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:16d) • Guilt rests on the offenders; no scapegoat is blamed (Ezekiel 18:20). • The phrase echoes Numbers 35:33—bloodshed pollutes the land unless justice is carried out. • Mercy remains available through atonement in Christ (Hebrews 10:12-14), yet the verse reminds us that sin always carries consequences. summary Leviticus 20:16 confronts a shocking sin to underscore how zealously God guards sexual purity, the sanctity of His created order, and the holiness of His people. The command to execute both woman and animal, reinforced by the certainty of judgment and declaration of personal guilt, shows that God’s justice is uncompromising toward actions that corrupt and defile. While the Mosaic Law prescribed capital punishment, the principle endures: God’s people must reject every distortion of His design and look to Christ, whose perfect sacrifice ultimately covers repentant sinners. |
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