KJV ORIGINAL
And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must also kill the animal.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse establishes that sexual relations between humans and animals was punishable by death under Old Testament law.
📚 Historical Context
This command was part of the holiness code given to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. These laws distinguished Israel from the pagan nations around them, some of which practiced bestiality as part of their religious rituals. The severe punishment reflected God's design for human sexuality and the need to maintain ritual and moral purity in the covenant community.
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