Gay leviticus

From a biblical standpoint, Christian theologians often respond by noting that innate desires-whether sexual or otherwise-can emerge from the broader human condition described in Scripture as fallen or broken (Romans 8:20-23).

The verse states "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them."

This passage is found within the book of Leviticus, which contains a variety of laws and guidelines for the ancient Israelites. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?

Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 ESV - Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

1 Corinthians 7:2 - But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

In the ancient Near East, sin was understood not merely as a personal moral failing but a contaminant affecting the entire community. Such accounts, found in personal testimonies and historical documents, amplify that the gospel’s central message is the offer of life-transforming grace.

Balancing Truth and Compassion

In addressing the question of Leviticus 20:13 with modern perspectives on sexuality, two guiding principles emerge for thoughtful engagement:

1.

The moral judgment (tôʿēbâ) and the prescribed penalty (môt yûmātû) are attached to the behavior, not to a psychological condition or social identity. Scriptures on Same-Sex Relations

There are some key Bible verses about homosexuality to understand the biblical view of gay relations. Ancient Israel operated under a theocratic system in which the nation was uniquely governed by divine statutes.

Leviticus 20:13, within its ancient theocratic context, underscores holiness. Such laws enforced the purity of Israel’s communal worship, morality, and identity, ensuring the nation retained its role as distinct before God. Archaeological studies, like those showing the cultural practices and religious rites in neighboring nations (e.g., evidence from Canaanite worship sites that involved cult prostitution), highlight Israel’s countercultural guidelines designed to maintain covenant fidelity.

The Broader Biblical Message on Holiness

Leviticus 20 is part of a larger holiness code (Leviticus 17-26) that includes a variety of sexual offenses, not exclusively same-sex relations.

The Bible frequently teaches that natural inclinations may be at odds with God’s design (Galatians 5:17).

Understanding that a desire might feel inherent does not necessarily equate to moral endorsement within a traditional Christian framework. The plural construct emphasizes the sexual nature of the action without needing to specify acts graphically.

The verb construction with the direct object marker אֶת (ʾet) identifies the male partner as the object of the sexual action. Following the coming of Christ, the New Testament teaches that believers are no longer under this Old Covenant civil framework (Galatians 3:24-25). The translation must remain faithful to the act-focused nature of the Hebrew and avoid the anachronistic imposition of modern identity language such as “homosexuality,” which misrepresents the intent of the Holiness Code.

Hebrew Text of Leviticus 20:13

וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכַּב אֶת־זָכָר מִשְׁכְּבֵי אִשָּׁה תּוֹעֵבָה עָשׂוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם מוֹת יוּמָתוּ דְּמֵיהֶם בָּם

Transliterated:
wəʾîš ʾăšer yiškab ʾet-zākār miškəbê ʾiššâ tôʿēbâ ʿāśû šənêhem môt yûmātû dəmêhem bām

Literal Translation:
“And a man who lies with a male as the lyings of a woman, both of them have committed a detestable thing; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”

Lexical Analysis

The key terms central to the translation of Leviticus 20:13 are:

Šākab (שָׁכַב):
The verb means “to lie down,” and in contexts of sexual behavior, it functions as a euphemism for sexual intercourse (cf.

They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” Understanding this command begins by recognizing its historical, covenantal framework. They are theologically sound, lexically accurate, and culturally faithful to the text’s original context.

Translations that deviate from the literal language:

NIV (partially right): “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.

This tension between strict moral codes and radical love is a central theme in Christian theology when grappling with verses like Leviticus 20:13.

Theological and Moral Considerations

The interpretation of Leviticus 20:13 and its implications for contemporary discussions on homosexuality vary among Christian denominations and theologians.

It oversimplifies the description and risks ideological framing rather than lexical faithfulness.

Evaluating Major English Translations

The following translations adhere most closely to the Hebrew:

UASV: “If a man lies with a male as one lies down with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable thing; they shall surely be put to death; their own blood is upon them.”

ESV: “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”

NASB(1995/2020): “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death.

They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.”

The NIV’s choice of “has sexual relations” reduces the bluntness of “lies with,” while the NLT’s introduction of “practices homosexuality” outright replaces the text’s direct description with a modern identity label.

Conclusion: The Imperative of Literal Fidelity

Leviticus 20:13 should be translated as literally as possible to retain its grammatical structure, lexical meaning, cultural specificity, and theological weight.

“Lies with” maintains this structure clearly and faithfully.

Zākār (זָכָר):
Simply and unequivocally “male.” This term is used of both human males and male animals but here, given the context of sexual laws, it refers to human males. The most commonly quoted Bible verses are Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13, which state that it is an abomination for a man to lie with another man as he would with a woman.

It speaks of a specific prohibited act. This shift can be traced through scriptural development: Jesus offers forgiveness and redemption to sinners, emphasizing mercy and restoration (John 8:10-11).

Human Nature and the Debate Over Inherent Orientation

Modern psychology and science posit that sexual orientation can be deeply rooted, suggesting that many individuals do not experience a choice in their attractions.

The historical weight of biblical manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls that preserve large portions of Leviticus, supports that these texts have been transmitted with notable consistency.