And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must also kill the animal.
This verse establishes that sexual relations between humans and animals was punishable by death under Old Testament law.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of ancient Israel, God gave the Law through Moses to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, establishing guidelines for holiness and separation from the immoral practices of neighboring Canaanite cultures, which often included rituals involving sexual perversions. This verse specifically addresses bestiality, a grave offense linked to idolatry and impurity in those societies, with the prescribed punishment emphasizing the need to protect the community's moral and spiritual integrity. Such laws were part of a broader covenant framework designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation dedicated to God.
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