· Translation: KJV

Leviticus 20:15"'If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; and you shall kill the animal.

The setting

Mount Sinai wilderness, ~1446 BC. God defines human dignity by prohibiting degrading acts common in pagan cultures. Modern-day Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

The emotion here: disturbed but obedient in recording laws that preserve human dignity

The original word

behemah (בְּהֵמָה) — domestic animal, livestock, emphasizing the category violation

Why it matters

Some Canaanite fertility religions included ritual bestiality to ensure crop fertility

Read with care

What most readers miss in Leviticus 20:15

The animal must also die — showing the act corrupts the natural order itself

Common misconceptionPeople think these laws are arbitrary, but they establish that humans are uniquely made in God's image and must not degrade themselves to animal level.

Bible Genome reading

Leviticus 20:15 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerGod
Eraexodus
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typelaw
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power10%
Quotability30%
Memorability50%
Crisis relevance30%
Standalone70%
Themes:sexual holinessdivine judgment

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Leviticus 20

Leviticus 20:15 comes from the book of Leviticus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include sexual holiness, divine judgment. Notable phrases: lies with an animal; put to death; kill the animal. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

What does Leviticus 20:15 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "anxious"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.