What is the meaning of Leviticus 20:18? If a man lies with a menstruating woman Leviticus 20:18 opens by identifying a deliberate sexual act during a woman’s monthly flow. Earlier the Lord had already forbidden this practice (Leviticus 18:19; 15:24), marking menstruation as a time of ritual uncleanness. • The command assumes mutual consent; the man is not described as forcing himself. • God is protecting both physical health and ceremonial purity (cf. Leviticus 15:19–23). • Ignoring the restriction signals disregard for boundaries God Himself set for His covenant people. and has sexual relations with her The verse repeats the idea to stress that the union is fully consummated. In Scripture repetition heightens gravity (Genesis 41:32). • Sexual intimacy is a covenant-shaping act meant to occur within God-approved times and ways (Matthew 19:4-6). • Choosing pleasure over obedience echoes other forbidden alliances (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). he has exposed the source of her flow Blood represents life and therefore belongs to God (Leviticus 17:11). By “exposing” the flow, the man treats what is holy as common. • Such exposure defiles the man (Leviticus 15:24) and, by extension, the camp (Numbers 5:2-3). • Contempt for sacred blood foreshadows the warning that without cleansing there is no fellowship with God (Hebrews 9:22). and she has uncovered the source of her blood The woman is equally accountable. She “uncovers” what God had ordered to remain covered until the period ends. • Shared guilt underscores that holiness laws apply to everyone, male or female (Leviticus 19:2). • Her participation violates her own state of uncleanness and disregards the welfare of her partner (Ezekiel 18:6). Both of them must be cut off from among their people “Cut off” (Leviticus 7:20-21; Numbers 15:30-31) usually means expulsion and in some cases death, leaving final judgment to God if human courts hesitate. • The penalty protects community holiness (Leviticus 18:29) and deters repetition. • New-covenant assemblies mirror this principle through church discipline when willful sin persists (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). • Grace in Christ cleanses every repentant sinner (1 John 1:7), yet the moral principle of honoring God with our bodies remains (Romans 12:1). summary Leviticus 20:18 teaches that sexual relations during menstruation violate God’s design, profane the sanctity of blood, and endanger communal holiness. By assigning equal blame and a severe penalty, the Lord underscores His call to purity, reverence for life-blood, and loving obedience. While Christ’s sacrifice provides cleansing for all who repent, the passage still reminds believers to respect God-given boundaries and pursue holiness in every aspect of life. |
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