And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
If a man has sexual relations with a woman who is a slave, engaged to be married to another man, but who has not been bought back or set free, she shall be punished with beating. However, they shall not be put to death, because she was not a free woman.
This verse outlines a specific legal case about sexual misconduct involving an enslaved woman who was betrothed, prescribing punishment but not death because of her enslaved status.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of ancient Israel, Leviticus 19 is part of the laws given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, which included regulations for social justice, moral conduct, and religious practices to guide the Israelite community. This specific verse addresses a case of sexual immorality involving a female slave who is betrothed but not fully freed, reflecting the societal norms of the time where slavery was an established institution. It demonstrates God's emphasis on measured justice, as the law spares the woman from the death penalty typically associated with adultery due to her unfree status.
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