If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
If a man has sexual relations with another man as he would with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act: they must be put to death; they are responsible for their own punishment.
This verse from ancient Israelite law declares male homosexual acts as forbidden and punishable by death under the old covenant legal system.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of ancient Israel, the book of Leviticus was part of the laws given by God through Moses to the Israelites as they formed a distinct nation in the Promised Land, emphasizing holiness and separation from the immoral practices of surrounding Canaanite cultures. This verse specifically addresses sexual conduct within a broader set of regulations designed to maintain moral purity and protect the community's covenant relationship with God. These laws were intended to set Israel apart in a world where idolatry and various sexual aberrations were common among neighboring peoples.
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