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God designed and created human sexuality, and He prescribes how it should be expressed. Leviticus 18:22 states that men should not engage in sexual relations with other men. This verse prompts readers to consider whether Leviticus 18:22 addresses homosexuality and, if so, what the implications are for modern human sexuality.
Exodus and Leviticus primarily focus on God’s laws for Israel as communicated through Moses. The Mosaic Law comprises over six hundred regulations for Israel to adhere to, aiming to set them apart from neighboring nations, demonstrate God’s holiness, and highlight the seriousness of sin. Leviticus 18 contains guidelines to prevent the Israelites from adopting the practices of Egypt and Canaan “After the practices of the land of Egypt, where you lived, you must not do; and after the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you must not do; nor are you to follow their customs.”, (Leviticus 18:3). Instead, the Israelites were instructed to obey God’s laws—since He was their God “You shall follow my ordinances and keep my statutes to live in accordance with them; I am the LORD your God.”, (Leviticus 18:4).
Leviticus 18 contains various restrictions on sexual conduct, including:
• a prohibition on “uncovering the nakedness” of close relatives and family members (Leviticus 18:6-17)
• a prohibition on sexual relations with women during menstruation “You must not approach a woman to have sexual relations with her while she is unclean during her monthly period.”, (Leviticus 18:19)
• a prohibition of marrying a woman and her sister “Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime.”, (Leviticus 18:18)
• a prohibition of adultery “Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbor’s wife, to defile thyself with her.”, (Leviticus 18:20)
• a prohibition of bestiality “Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.”, (Leviticus 18:23)
• a prohibition of sacrificing to the false god Molech “And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.”, (Leviticus 18:21)
• an instruction that men shall not lie with men as a man would lie with a woman “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”, (Leviticus 18:22)
The context seems clear that the command “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman” in Leviticus 18:22 refers to acts of homosexuality, as Leviticus 18:6–23 only addresses sexual offenses. While the prohibition of sacrifice to Molech is not explicitly sexual, its inclusion in this context implies that such a ritual involved sexual activity. Some suggest that the reference to Molech-worship implies a prohibition of homosexual prostitution rather than committed homosexual relationships.However, Leviticus 18:22 in this context appears to be a direct mention of homosexuality in general. Some translations clarify this: “Do not engage in homosexual activity, having relations with another man as with a woman” (NLT).
Leviticus 20 provides more details on these sexual guidelines and prohibits adultery «And the man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. », (Leviticus 20:10), incest with one’s mother «And the man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. », (Leviticus 20:11), incest with one’s daughter-in-law «And if a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have brought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. », (Leviticus 20:12), and homosexual relations «If a man lies with another man, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. », (Leviticus 20:13). The same language is used in Leviticus 18:22 as in Leviticus 20:13. If these two passages are addressing prostitution exclusively, then the restrictions only prohibit prostitution with a neighbor’s wife, a mother, a daughter-in-law, and a man—in other words, sexual relations within those connections are not actually forbidden in this part of the Law of Moses. However, the context of both passages clearly limits sexual behavior and not business transactions. Homosexuality is described as “detestable” and is distiIn Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, homosexuality is strictly prohibited.
Although the Law of Moses was fulfilled by Christ on the cross, as stated in Ephesians 2:15, where it mentions, “having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace,” and according to Galatians 3:24-25, that Law is no longer in effect. Despite this, it is clear that God’s perspective on homosexual acts remains unchanged—homosexuality still goes against God’s intended design for humanity, as indicated in Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:10. It is crucial to acknowledge that God’s love for humanity, as expressed in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” surpasses our shortcomings. Christ died for everyone, including those grappling with homosexual inclinations and those who have acted upon them. While homosexuality is not part of God’s plan for men and women, His grace extends to all who have faith in Christ, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Salvation is offered by God through grace via faith, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:8-9, and believers are urged to live in a manner befitting their calling, as seen in the verse, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation whe.”Rewith you are called, », (Ephesians 4:1). As children of God, we no longer walk in our former ways of sin.
