Leviticus 20:10
Leviticus 20:10 in Multiple Translations
If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.
¶ And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
And if a man has sex relations with another man's wife, even the wife of his neighbour, he and she are certainly to be put to death.
Any man who commits adultery with someone else's wife must be executed, as well as the woman.
And the man that committeth adulterie with another mans wife, because he hath comitted adulterie with his neighbours wife, the adulterer and the adulteresse shall die the death.
'And a man who committeth adultery with a man's wife — who committeth adultery with the wife of his neighbour — the adulterer and the adulteress are surely put to death.
“‘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.
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
If any man commit adultery with the wife of another, and defile his neighbour’s wife, let them be put to death, both the adulterer and the adulteress.
‘If a man commits adultery with some other man’s wife, both of them, the man and the woman, must be executed.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 20:10
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Leviticus 20:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 20:10
Study Notes — Leviticus 20:10
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 20:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 20:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 20:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 20:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
- Sermons on Leviticus 20:10
Context — Punishments for Sexual Immorality
10If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.
11If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. 12If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both must surely be put to death. They have acted perversely; their blood is upon them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 8:4–5 | and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 22:22–24 | If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. If there is a virgin pledged in marriage to a man, and another man encounters her in the city and sleeps with her, you must take both of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. So you must purge the evil from among you. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 5:18 | You shall not commit adultery. |
| 4 | Exodus 20:14 | You shall not commit adultery. |
| 5 | Leviticus 18:20 | You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 23:45–47 | But righteous men will sentence them to the punishment of those who commit adultery and bloodshed, because they are adulteresses with blood on their hands. This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Bring a mob against them and consign them to terror and plunder. The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords. They will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses. |
| 7 | 2 Samuel 12:13 | Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. |
Leviticus 20:10 Summary
Leviticus 20:10 teaches us that God takes marriage very seriously and considers adultery a grave offense. This verse shows that faithfulness and loyalty are essential in marriage, just as they are in our relationship with God (see Deuteronomy 22:22). When we understand the seriousness of sin, we can appreciate the beauty of God's forgiveness and grace, as seen in Romans 6:14 and 1 John 1:9. By embracing God's law of love and living in obedience to Him, we can build strong, healthy relationships that honor God and bring joy to our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Leviticus 20:10 call for the death penalty for adultery?
The death penalty for adultery in Leviticus 20:10 reflects the seriousness of the offense against God and the community, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:22, which also prescribes death for this sin. This punishment emphasizes the importance of marital faithfulness and the need to protect the family unit.
Is the command to put adulterers to death still applicable today?
No, the command to put adulterers to death is part of the Mosaic law, which is no longer binding on believers today, as explained in Romans 6:14 and Galatians 3:24-25. Instead, we are called to live by the law of love and grace, as taught in Matthew 22:37-40 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
What does this verse teach about God's view of marriage?
Leviticus 20:10 shows that God takes marriage very seriously, as also seen in Malachi 2:14-15, which emphasizes the sacred covenant between a husband and wife. This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness and loyalty in marriage, as a reflection of our relationship with God.
How does this verse relate to Jesus' teaching on marriage and divorce?
While Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19:3-12 and Mark 10:2-12 seems to relax the penalty for adultery, it actually reinforces the importance of marital commitment and faithfulness, as seen in Leviticus 20:10. Jesus' teaching emphasizes the gravity of breaking the marriage covenant, as also seen in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His expectations for human relationships?
- How does the punishment for adultery in this verse relate to the consequences of sin in our own lives?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of faithfulness and loyalty in our relationships, including our relationship with God?
- How can we apply the principles of this verse to our own marriages and relationships, in a way that reflects God's love and grace?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 20:10
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 20:10
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 20:10
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 20:10
Sermons on Leviticus 20:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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003 Joseph Was a Righteous Man by David Servant | This sermon delves into the genealogy of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his credentials as the Messiah through his lineage from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David. It highlights th |
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Moral Purity by Ralph Shallis | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of sex and its significance in the Bible. He emphasizes that sex was originally created by God as a good and beautiful thing, but du |
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The Limits of God's Grace by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the true biblical concept of grace, using the story of Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery to illustrate that grace is not a license to sin |
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Counterfeit Spirituality by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the pull and attraction of worldly influences and sin. He emphasizes the need to address and deal with sin rather than trying to shift the bl |
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Neither Do I Condemn You by John Piper | This sermon delves into a controversial passage in the Bible, discussing the authenticity and significance of the story of the woman caught in adultery. It explores the scholarly d |
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Holy Harmony - Part 1 by Elisabeth Elliot | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of a holy harmony in our lives. He reflects on the difference that Jesus Christ has made in his own life and challenges the au |
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Living With Your Passion by Erwin Lutzer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being thorough and complete in our commitment to God. He urges the audience to get rid of any associations or contacts that |






