Leviticus 20:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 20:15 mean?

Leviticus 20:15 states that if a man has sexual relations with an animal, both the man and the animal must be put to death. This verse sets a severe penalty for a specific forbidden act in ancient Israel’s law.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses laws for the Israelites about holiness and moral boundaries. The verse is part of a larger section listing actions considered especially serious violations, with consequences meant to protect the community’s purity and order.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 20:15

• The word for "man" is אִישׁ (’ish), which simply means an adult male, making clear the law applies specifically to men in this context.
• The verb "lie" is נָתַן (natan) here, which usually means "to give" but can also mean "to have relations with" in certain contexts, emphasizing the act as a deliberate choice.
• The word for "beast" is בְּהֵמָה (behemah), a general term for a domesticated animal, showing that the law covers any kind of animal, not just a specific species.
• The phrase "shall surely be put to death" uses מוֹת יוּמָת (mot yumat), a doubled form that stresses certainty and seriousness—the penalty is not optional or symbolic but definite.

Why Leviticus 20:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that ancient Israelite law treated certain sexual acts as not only morally wrong but as crimes with the highest penalty, showing the seriousness with which boundaries were enforced.
• The command to kill the animal as well as the man highlights the intent to remove all trace of the act from the community, reflecting a concern for ritual and communal purity.
• Leviticus 20:15 fits into a broader context where the Israelites are being set apart from surrounding cultures, with laws that distinguish their practices and values.