Leviticus 19:20 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:20 mean?

Leviticus 19:20 describes a situation where a man has sexual relations with a woman who is a slave and already promised to another man, but who has not been freed or redeemed. In this case, the woman is to be punished, but neither person is to be put to death, because the woman does not have her freedom.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to the Israelites through Moses about how to handle a specific case involving a female slave who is engaged to someone else. The law recognizes her lack of freedom and treats the offense differently than if she were a free woman. The punishment is less severe because her status as a slave limits her ability to consent or resist.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:20

• בִּשְׁפְחָה (shifchah, H8198): This word means "female slave" or "bondmaid." The verse focuses on a woman who is not free, which is central to understanding why the punishment is different.
• פָּדָה (padah, H6299): This word means "redeemed." The verse specifies that the woman has not been redeemed, meaning she is still under her master's authority, which affects her legal standing.
• חָפְשִׁי (chofshi, H2668): This word means "freedom." The law takes into account that the woman has not been granted her freedom, so her choices are limited.
• בִּקֹּרֶת (biqqoret, H1244): This word is translated as "scourged" or "punished." It shows that there is still a consequence, but it is not as severe as death.

Why Leviticus 19:20 matters

• Leviticus 19:20 clarifies that the law made distinctions based on a person's social status, especially regarding slaves, which was a reality in ancient Israel.
• The verse shows that both justice and mercy were considered, balancing punishment with recognition of the woman's lack of freedom.
• This law fits into a larger section where God gives various social and moral instructions, highlighting the complexity and care taken in Israelite law.