ScriptureDepth's study of Leviticus 18
“‘You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman. That is detestable.”
Leviticus 18:22
Yahweh commands the Israelites not to lie with a man as with a woman, settling the prohibition against homosexual acts as detestable in their society.
What Leviticus 18 is about
Yahweh spoke to Moses, instructing him to tell the children of Israel that He is their God (vv. 1-2). They must not follow the practices of Egypt or Canaan, but keep His ordinances and statutes (vv. 3-5). There are specific prohibitions on incest and immorality. Israel must not approach close relatives for sexual relations (vv. 6-21). They are told not to uncover the nakedness of parents, siblings, or in-laws. Sexual relations with a neighbor’s wife is also forbidden. Additionally, men must not lie with men as with women, nor is bestiality allowed (vv. 22-23). The text states that defilements led to punishment. The land was defiled by the nations before Israel, which brought their expulsion (vv. 24-28). Those who commit these acts will be cut off from their people. Israel is called to obey these commands and avoid defilement (vv. 29-30).
Yahweh commands Israel to avoid abominable customs and to keep His requirements.
Leviticus 18 at a glance
- Leviticus 18:1–2God's Command to Israel
- Leviticus 18:3–5Avoiding Egyptian and Canaanite Practices
- Leviticus 18:6–21Prohibitions on Incest and Immorality
- Leviticus 18:22–23Prohibitions on Homosexuality and Bestiality
- Leviticus 18:24–28Consequences for Defilement
- Leviticus 18:29–30Call to Obedience and Distinction
Key verse: Leviticus 18:22
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Leviticus 18 (WEB)
God's Command to Israel Leviticus 18:1–2
1Verse 1. Yahweh said to Moses, 2Verse 2. “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am Yahweh your God.
Avoiding Egyptian and Canaanite Practices Leviticus 18:3–5
3Verse 3. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived: and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. 4Verse 4. You shall do my ordinances, and you shall keep my statutes, and walk in them: I am Yahweh your God. 5Verse 5. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances; which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am Yahweh.
Prohibitions on Incest and Immorality Leviticus 18:6–21
6Verse 6. “‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Yahweh. 7Verse 7. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness. 8Verse 8. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness. 9Verse 9. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home, or born abroad. 10Verse 10. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness: for theirs is your own nakedness.
11Verse 11. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister. 12Verse 12. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister: she is your father’s near kinswoman. 13Verse 13. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister: for she is your mother’s near kinswoman. 14Verse 14. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother, you shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt. 15Verse 15. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law: she is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness. 16Verse 16. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.
17Verse 17. “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness. 18Verse 18. “‘You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive. 19Verse 19. “‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness. 20Verse 20. “‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her. 21Verse 21. “‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.
Prohibitions on Homosexuality and Bestiality Leviticus 18:22–23
22Verse 22. “‘You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman. That is detestable. 23Verse 23. “‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.
Consequences for Defilement Leviticus 18:24–28
24Verse 24. “‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. 25Verse 25. The land was defiled: therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26Verse 26. You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you; 27Verse 27. (for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled); 28Verse 28. that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.
Call to Obedience and Distinction Leviticus 18:29–30
29Verse 29. “‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30Verse 30. Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Yahweh your God.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Leviticus 18
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in Leviticus 18
Holiness
In v. 4, God instructs the Israelites to follow His ordinances and statutes, stating, 'I am Yahweh your God.' The chapter details various prohibitions regarding sexual conduct to maintain holiness among the people. By emphasizing the need to avoid practices of the surrounding nations, the text frames holiness as a key condition for living in relationship with God.
Covenant Identity
In verses 1-2, God identifies Himself as 'Yahweh your God' and commands Israel to follow His statutes and ordinances, establishing a covenant relationship. The prohibitions against the practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites in verses 3-5 delineate the Israelites from these surrounding nations, defining their unique identity as God's chosen people. The call to obedience in verse 30 further affirms their responsibility to maintain this covenant identity in the face of external influences.
Moral Conduct
The chapter outlines specific prohibitions regarding sexual relationships in vv. 6-23, detailing what constitutes immoral conduct, such as incest, adultery, and bestiality. By stating these laws, the text provides clear moral guidelines for the Israelites to follow. The consequences for transgressing these laws, discussed in vv. 29-30, emphasize the community’s obligation to maintain moral integrity.
Distinction from Surrounding Cultures
In vv. 3-4, God commands the Israelites not to follow the practices of the Egyptians or Canaanites, emphasizing their distinctiveness. The prohibitions listed throughout the chapter serve to separate Israel from the surrounding cultures that had defiled the land. The text warns that failure to uphold these distinctions could result in similar consequences as those faced by the nations before them, as noted in vv. 25-28.
Chapter outline
How Leviticus 18 unfolds
Leviticus 18:1–2 God's Command to Israel
Yahweh commands Moses to speak to the children of Israel, stating, 'I am Yahweh your God' (vv. 1-2). This establishes God's authority for the laws that follow.
Leviticus 18:3–5 Avoiding Egyptian and Canaanite Practices
Yahweh commands Israel to reject the practices of Egypt and Canaan, instructing them to follow His ordinances and statutes, since He is their God.
Leviticus 18:6–21 Prohibitions on Incest and Immorality
Yahweh prohibits various forms of incest and immorality, including uncovering the nakedness of close relatives like 'your father' and 'your mother' (vv. 6-21). These verses detail specific relationships that are forbidden.
Leviticus 18:22–23 Prohibitions on Homosexuality and Bestiality
Yahweh prohibits same-sex relations and bestiality, labeling these actions as detestable and perverse (vv. 22-23), stressing the need for sexual ethics.
Leviticus 18:24–28 Consequences for Defilement
Yahweh warns that defiling the land leads to severe consequences, stating, 'the land was defiled: therefore I punished its iniquity' (vv. 24-28). The land may reject Israel just as it did other nations.
Leviticus 18:29–30 Call to Obedience and Distinction
Yahweh calls for obedience to His requirements and warns against practicing the customs of the previous nations, with a strict emphasis on not defiling themselves (vv. 29-30).
Key verses
Leviticus 18:22Yahweh commands the Israelites not to lie with a man as with a woman, settling the prohibition against homosexual acts as detestable in their society.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying Leviticus 18
- observeIn v6, why does God state 'I am Yahweh'?
- observeWhat does God mean by 'abominations' in v26?
- interpretIn v22, why does God describe lying with a man 'as with a woman' as detestable?
- interpretIn v29, what does it mean to be 'cut off from among their people'?
- applyWhen have you seen someone defile themselves in a way similar to 'any of these things' in v24?
For Bible groups
Study Leviticus 18 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Leviticus 18
- Leviticus 20Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13Both prohibit lying with a man. Leviticus 18:22 says, 'That is detestable,' while Leviticus 20:13 states, 'they shall surely be put to death.'
- Romans 1Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:26Both address unnatural relations. Leviticus 18:22 states, 'That is detestable,' while Romans 1:26 says, 'God gave them up to vile passions.'
- 1 Corinthians 6Leviticus 18:22 and 1 Corinthians 6:9Both address homosexual acts. Leviticus 18:22 says, 'That is detestable,' while 1 Corinthians 6:9 mentions 'homosexuals.'
- Romans 12Leviticus 18:29 and Romans 12:2Both speak of consequences for actions. Leviticus 18:29 says, 'the souls that do them shall be cut off,' while Romans 12:2 calls to not be conformed to this world.
- Deuteronomy 18Leviticus 18:26 and Deuteronomy 18:9Both command against abominable practices. Leviticus 18:26 states, 'You therefore shall keep my statutes,' while Deuteronomy 18:9 warns, 'you shall not learn to imitate the abominations.'
- Ezekiel 20Leviticus 18:5 and Ezekiel 20:11Both emphasize keeping statutes. Leviticus 18:5 states, 'if a man does, he shall live in them,' while Ezekiel 20:11 states, 'if a man does, he will live in them.'
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Leviticus 18
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Leviticus: the whole bookLeviticus picks up exactly where Exodus ends: God's glory now fills the tabernacle, and the urgent question is…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 46Day 46 of 365: Leviticus 16–18.
- ForgivenessWhat the Bible says about forgiveness, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Leviticus 18: frequently asked questions
What is Leviticus 18 about?+
What is the key verse in Leviticus 18?+
What are the main themes of Leviticus 18?+
Studying Leviticus with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.