You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 18:22
What does Leviticus 18:22 mean?
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Leviticus 18:22
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What's striking here is the specific comparison: "as with a woman." This isn't just about any sexual act between males, but one that explicitly mimics heterosexual intercourse, highlighting a violation of the natural order as understood by the ancient Israelites, which they saw as deeply offensive to God. This detail points to a particular kind of sexual behavior being forbidden, not necessarily all forms of same-sex intimacy.
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a series of laws given to the Israelites outlining how to live distinctively from the surrounding nations, particularly the Canaanites. Immediately before and after this prohibition, Moses lists other sexual sins that were practiced by these cultures and are forbidden to Israel. The entire chapter aims to create a holy people set apart for God, emphasizing purity in sexual relations and a rejection of the practices that led to the judgment of other nations.
This verse is stark and clear, calling a specific sexual act an 'abomination.' What does that word truly mean in this context?
God's Word sets a high bar for sexual behavior, rooted in His design for humanity.
The Meaning of "Abomination"
The word "abomination" here isn't just about a distasteful act; it signifies something profoundly offensive to God's holy nature and His created order. It's a rebellion against His will.
Divine Design
Leviticus 18 lays out God's commands for His people, Israel, separating them from the surrounding nations and their corrupt practices. This particular command (v. 22) addresses sexual acts between men, contrasting it with the intended marital union between a man and a woman. It reflects God's intention for procreation and the unique intimacy within heterosexual marriage.
A Call to Holiness
This isn't just an ancient rule; it points to God's unchanging standard for holiness. While the ceremonial laws of Leviticus were specific to Israel, the underlying principles of sexual purity and adherence to God's design remain relevant.
This verse is forever linked to a notorious city. Why does the biblical narrative bring up Sodom when discussing this command?
The sin prohibited in Leviticus 18:22 is powerfully associated with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, serving as a stark historical warning.
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A Defining Sin
Biblical commentators consistently point to the inhabitants of Sodom as being infamous for this very practice. The story in Genesis 19, where the men of Sodom demanded sexual relations with the angels visiting Lot, is a vivid example of the "sin of Sodom."
Divine Judgment
God's judgment on Sodom, raining down fire and sulfur, underscores the extreme seriousness with which He views this offense. It demonstrates that such actions are not merely social taboos but can provoke divine wrath when they become a defining characteristic of a people who have turned away from Him.
A Pattern of Rebellion
This association with Sodom highlights that the prohibition isn't just about a specific act, but about a broader pattern of rebellion against God's order and morality, often seen in cultures that embrace rampant sexual sin.
Understand the original words
toebah · Hebrew Noun
A term used in the Old Testament to describe something that is morally detestable, repugnant, or contrary to God's nature and created order. It often characterizes practices that are spiritually polluting and incompatible with holiness.
This passage describes the sin of Sodom, which is explicitly linked to the prohibition in Leviticus 18:22, showing the historical context and severity of the command.
Romans 1:27The Apostle Paul directly references the practice condemned in Leviticus, calling it 'unnatural' and a mark of humanity's departure from God, highlighting its spiritual implications.
1 Corinthians 6:9This New Testament passage lists those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, including 'men who practice homosexuality,' echoing the condemnation found in Leviticus and showing its continued relevance.
Leviticus 20:13This verse provides the specific penalty for the act described in Leviticus 18:22, emphasizing that this prohibition was not merely a suggestion but a serious offense with capital punishment under the Mosaic Law.
pooleLeviticus 18:22: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
No text from Poole on this verse.
ellicottLeviticus 18:22: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
(22) As with womankind. —This was the sin of Sodom ( Genesis 19:5 ), whence it derived its name, and in spite of the penalty of death enacted by the Law against those who were found guilty of it (see Leviticus 20:13 ), the Israelites did not quite relinquish this abominable vice ( Judges 19:22 ; 1Kings 14:24 ), to which the surrounding nations were addicted and which was so prevalent in the time of the Apo…
What's striking here is the specific comparison: "as with a woman." This isn't just about any sexual act between males, but one that explicitly mimics heterosexual intercourse, highlighting a violation of the natural order as understood by the ancient Israelites, which they saw as deeply offensive to God. This detail points to a particular kind of sexual behavior being forbidden, not necessarily all forms of same-sex intimacy.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to the Israelites outlining how to live distinctively from the surrounding nations, particularly the Canaanites. Immediately before and after this prohibition, Moses lists other sexual sins that were practiced by these cultures and are forbidden to Israel. The entire chapter aims to create a holy people set apart for God, emphasizing purity in sexual relations and a rejection of the practices that led to the judgment of other nations.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to the Israelites outlining how to live distinctively from the surrounding nations, particularly the Canaanites. Immediately before and after this prohibition, Moses lists other sexual sins that were practiced by these cultures and are forbidden to Israel. The entire chapter aims to create a holy people set apart for God, emphasizing purity in sexual relations and a rejection of the practices that led to the judgment of other nations.
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." — What's striking here is the specific comparison: "as with a woman." This isn't just about any sexual act between males, but one that explicitly mimics heterosexual intercourse, highlighting a violati…
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Last reviewed October 2026