Exodus 22:19
Exodus 22:19 in Multiple Translations
Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.
¶ Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Any man who has sex connection with a beast is to be put to death.
Anyone who has sex with an animal must be executed.
Whosoeuer lieth with a beast, shall dye the death.
'Whoever lieth with a beast is certainly put to death.
“Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.
Whoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Whosoever copulateth with a beast shall be put to death.
You must execute any person who has sex with an animal.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 22:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 22:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זֹבֵ֥חַ
לָ/אֱלֹהִ֖ים
יָֽחֳרָ֑ם
בִּלְתִּ֥י
לַ/יהוָ֖ה
לְ/בַדּֽ/וֹ
זֹבֵ֥חַ
zâbach
H2076
to sacrifice
V-Qal
לָ/אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Prep | N-mp
יָֽחֳרָ֑ם
châram
H2763
to devote/destroy
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
בִּלְתִּ֥י
biltîy
H1115
lest
Conj
לַ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
לְ/בַדּֽ/וֹ
bad
H905
alone
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 22:19
זֹבֵ֥חַ
zâbach
H2076
"to sacrifice"
V-Qal
To sacrifice means to slaughter an animal, usually for a religious offering, as seen in the Bible's instructions for worship. This term is used in many contexts, including sacrifices for eating or in divine judgment. It's often translated as 'kill' or 'offer' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter for sacrifice 1a2) to slaughter for eating 1a3) to slaughter in divine judgment 1b) (Piel) to sacrifice, offer sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: de.vach (דְּבַח "to sacrifice" H1684)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Kings 8:62; Psalms 4:6.
לָ/אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
יָֽחֳרָ֑ם
châram
H2763
"to devote/destroy"
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
To devote or destroy something, like the objects the Israelites were told to destroy in Deuteronomy 7:26.
Definition: 1) to ban, devote, destroy utterly, completely destroy, dedicate for destruction, exterminate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to prohibit (for common use), ban 1a2) to consecrate, devote, dedicate for destruction 1a3) to exterminate, completely destroy 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be put under the ban, be devoted to destruction 1b2) to be devoted, be forfeited 1b3) to be completely destroyed
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away). See also: Exodus 22:19; Joshua 11:21; Isaiah 11:15.
בִּלְתִּ֥י
biltîy
H1115
"lest"
Conj
This Hebrew word means not or except, and is often used with a prepositional prefix. It appears in various forms, such as not, except, or unless, and is used in many biblical passages.
Definition: subst 1) not, except adv 2) not 3) except (after preceding negation) conj 4) except (after an implied or expressed negation) with prep 5) so as not, in order not 6) an account of not, because...not 7) until not
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: because un(satiable), beside, but, [phrase] continual, except, from, lest, neither, no more, none, not, nothing, save, that no, without. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Kings 12:9; Isaiah 10:4.
לַ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לְ/בַדּֽ/וֹ
bad
H905
"alone"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.
Study Notes — Exodus 22:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 22:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 22:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 22:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 22:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 22:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 22:19
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 22:19
Context — Laws of Social Responsibility
17If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.
18You must not allow a sorceress to live.
19Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.
20If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction. 21You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 18:23 | You must not lie carnally with any animal, thus defiling yourself with it; a woman must not stand before an animal to mate with it; that is a perversion. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 27:21 | ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ |
| 3 | Leviticus 20:15–16 | If a man lies carnally with an animal, he must be put to death. And you are also to kill the animal. If a woman approaches any animal to mate with it, you must kill both the woman and the animal. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. |
| 4 | Leviticus 18:25 | Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. |
Exodus 22:19 Summary
This verse, Exodus 22:19, is saying that it's very wrong to have a romantic or sexual relationship with an animal, and in the time of the Israelites, this sin was punished by death. This shows how seriously God takes this sin, because it goes against His plan for human relationships, as seen in Genesis 2:24, where God establishes the boundary between humans and animals. Today, we can still learn from this verse by realizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should use them to honor God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. By living a life of purity and holiness, we can reflect God's love and character to a world that desperately needs it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the death penalty in Exodus 22:19?
The death penalty in Exodus 22:19 emphasizes the seriousness of the sin of bestiality, which is a perversion of God's created order, as seen in Genesis 1:25 and Leviticus 18:23, where God establishes the boundaries of human relationships with animals.
How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of sexual purity?
Exodus 22:19 is part of a larger biblical narrative that emphasizes the importance of sexual purity, as seen in verses like 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, where believers are called to honor God with their bodies, and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, where the apostle Paul instructs believers to live a life of sanctification and holiness.
Is this verse still relevant today, or was it only for the ancient Israelites?
While the specific laws given to the Israelites in Exodus 22:19 may not be directly applicable to modern societies, the underlying principle of respecting God's created order and living a life of purity and holiness remains relevant today, as seen in Romans 1:24-27, where the apostle Paul describes the consequences of rejecting God's design for human relationships.
How should Christians respond to those who engage in bestiality or other forms of sexual sin?
Christians should respond with compassion, love, and a desire to see people come to know Jesus Christ and experience His redemption, as seen in Luke 15:11-32, where the father welcomes back his prodigal son, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, where the apostle Paul reminds believers that they have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that our culture may be tolerating or even promoting sexual sin, and how can I as a believer stand against these trends?
- In what ways can I honor God with my body and live a life of purity and holiness, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20?
- How can I balance the need to condemn sin with the need to show love and compassion to those who are struggling with sexual sin, as seen in Matthew 9:10-13, where Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners?
- What are some practical steps I can take to protect myself and my loved ones from the influences of a sexually permissive culture, as seen in Proverbs 4:23, where the writer instructs us to guard our hearts?
- How can I pray for those who are caught in the grip of sexual sin, that they might experience the freedom and redemption that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in Psalm 107:20, where the psalmist describes God sending His word to heal and deliver?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 22:19
Ver. 19 Whosoever lieth with a beast,.... In like manner as a man and woman, by carnal copulation; this is a crime so detestable and abominable, so shocking and dishonourable to human nature, that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 22:19
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. Whosoever lieth with a beast ... This revolting crime was practiced by many of the Egyptians in honour of their idols: and it was mentioned
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 22:19
Exodus 22:19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.Ver. 19. Be put to death.] Heb., Put him to die. Gr., Kill him with death; as God threateneth to do Jezebel’ s children.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 22:19
(19) The sin here denounced was common among the Canaanitish nations (Leviticus 18:24), and not unknown in Egypt (Herod. ii. 46). It was therefore necessary that God’s abhorrence of it should be distinctly declared to Israel.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 22:19
Verse 19. Lieth with a beast] If this most abominable crime had not been common, it never would have been mentioned in a sacred code of laws. It is very likely that it was an Egyptian practice; and it is certain, from an account in Sonnini's Travels, that it is practised in Egypt to the present day.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 22:19
19. Cf. Leviticus 18:23; Leviticus 20:15 f. (both H); Deuteronomy 27:21.