And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor’s wife and so make yourself unclean with her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 18:20
What does Leviticus 18:20 mean?
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Leviticus 18:20
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While the prohibition against adultery is clear, the verse emphasizes that this act is a way of "defiling yourself." This highlights that the primary consequence isn't just shame or punishment, but a personal corruption and spiritual stain on the individual who commits the sin. The focus is on the internal impurity it creates within the person, not just the outward damage to relationships.
And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor’s wife and so make yourself unclean with her.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger section where God lays out strict boundaries for sexual purity within the Israelite community, distinguishing them from the surrounding nations. It directly follows prohibitions against illicit sexual relations with relatives and precedes further commands about sexual morality, all under the overarching theme of avoiding the defiling practices of Canaan. The consequence for violating this command is severe, reflecting the seriousness with which God viewed such actions, which not only broke His law but also corrupted the individual and the community.
This isn't just another prohibition in a long list. God's commands often have layers of meaning, especially when they touch on our relationships.
Leviticus 18:20 is a clear command against adultery, but the reason given – "to defile thyself with her" – points to a deeper truth. It’s not just about breaking a law; it’s about spiritual and personal ruin.
A Stain on the Soul
This isn't merely about external consequences. Adultery, in God's eyes, is inherently defiling. It corrupts the individual, creating a spiritual stain that separates one from God’s purity. This defilement impacts the person’s inner being, their relationship with their spouse, their family, and their standing before God.
Breaking the Bonds
Adultery tears apart the sacred covenant of marriage, a reflection of God's own faithfulness to His people. It violates trust, inflicts deep emotional wounds, and creates lasting damage within families and communities. The gravity of this act is why the penalty in ancient Israel was so severe – death by stoning – underscoring its devastating impact.
You might recognize this command from somewhere else! God’s moral law often has core principles that echo throughout Scripture.
This prohibition in Leviticus 18:20 is not a new rule; it directly echoes the seventh commandment: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).
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Consistent Moral Framework
God’s laws are consistent. What was wrong in the wilderness camp of Israel is still wrong today. This underlying principle of marital faithfulness is a foundational aspect of God's design for human society.
A Reminder of God's Design
The commandment against adultery protects the sanctity of marriage, which God established as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. It’s a call to honor the commitment made before God and to resist the temptations that seek to undermine this sacred bond.
Understand the original words
tame' · Hebrew Verb
The state of being ritually or morally defiled, disqualifying one from the presence of a holy God; it is the opposite of holiness.
This passage directly echoes Leviticus 18:20 by including 'You shall not commit adultery' within the Ten Commandments, showing its foundational importance.
Proverbs 6:32-33This proverb highlights the severe consequences of adultery, stating that the one who commits it destroys himself and that he 'inflicts insult upon himself,' drawing a parallel to the 'defilement' mentioned in Leviticus.
John 8:3-11The account of the woman caught in adultery shows Jesus upholding the sanctity of marriage and the severe consequences of the act, while also extending mercy and calling for a life free from sin.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20The Apostle Paul connects sexual sin directly to defiling one's own body, which he states is a 'temple of the Holy Spirit,' reinforcing the idea of impurity and the violation of God's design for our bodies.
clarkeLeviticus 18:20: "Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her."
Thy neighbor's wife - See Clarke's note on Exodus 20:14 .
pulpitLeviticus 18:20: "Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her."
Verse 20. - The second prohibition is, Thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife - a prohibition already made in other words in the ten commandments. The punishment for adultery is death by stoning (chapter 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22; John 9:5) - a more severe penalty than was usually inflicted in other nations.
While the prohibition against adultery is clear, the verse emphasizes that this act is a way of "defiling yourself." This highlights that the primary consequence isn't just shame or punishment, but a personal corruption and spiritual stain on the individual who commits the sin. The focus is on the internal impurity it creates within the person, not just the outward damage to relationships.
This verse is part of a larger section where God lays out strict boundaries for sexual purity within the Israelite community, distinguishing them from the surrounding nations. It directly follows prohibitions against illicit sexual relations with relatives and precedes further commands about sexual morality, all under the overarching theme of avoiding the defiling practices of Canaan. The consequence for violating this command is severe, reflecting the seriousness with which God viewed such actions, which not only broke His law but also corrupted the individual and the community.
This verse is part of a larger section where God lays out strict boundaries for sexual purity within the Israelite community, distinguishing them from the surrounding nations. It directly follows prohibitions against illicit sexual relations with relatives and precedes further commands about sexual morality, all under the overarching theme of avoiding the defiling practices of Canaan. The consequence for violating this command is severe, reflecting the seriousness with which God viewed such actions, which not only broke His law but also corrupted the individual and the community.
"And you shall not lie sexually with your neighbor’s wife and so make yourself unclean with her." — While the prohibition against adultery is clear, the verse emphasizes that this act is a way of "defiling yourself." This highlights that the primary consequence isn't just shame or punishment, but a…
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Last reviewed October 2026