Meaning of Leviticus 18:20

Leviticus 18:20 prohibits adultery, specifically targeting the act of a man having sexual relations with another man's wife. This commandment is situated within a broader legal and ethical framework given to ancient Israel, aimed at establishing a holy and distinct community set apart from the surrounding nations, whose practices often included sexual immorality. The emphasis is on the sanctity of marriage, the protection of familial relationships, and the prevention of social disorder and spiritual defilement. This prohibition is not merely about a physical act but about the violation of trust, covenant, and the sacred bond established between a husband and wife, which in turn impacts the entire community.

Context and Background

This verse is part of the Holiness Code in Leviticus (chapters 17-26), a section dedicated to outlining the laws and statutes that would define Israel as a people chosen by God. The immediate preceding verses (Leviticus 18:6-19) detail various prohibited sexual relationships, establishing a pattern of sexual ethics. Leviticus 18:20 stands out as a specific prohibition against adultery with a married woman. The context is the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to His laws was a demonstration of faithfulness and a means of maintaining their distinct identity. The surrounding nations were notorious for their sexual licentiousness, often intertwined with their religious cults, making these prohibitions a clear demarcation for Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is the sanctity of marriage. Adultery is presented as a grave offense because it violates the exclusive and covenantal nature of marriage. Another key theme is purity and holiness. Engaging in prohibited sexual acts is described as "defiling" oneself, indicating a spiritual contamination that separates individuals from God and the community. The verse also underscores the protection of social order. Adultery undermines the family unit, which was the foundational structure of ancient Israelite society, leading to potential disputes, broken trust, and the illegitimate inheritance of property.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse calls believers to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to live lives of sexual purity. It speaks to the integrity of relationships and the importance of honoring commitments. For Christians, the principle extends beyond the literal prohibition to encompass the broader biblical teaching on sexual ethics, which includes faithfulness in thought and deed, and the understanding that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). The concept of "defilement" highlights the spiritual consequences of sin, which can estrange one from God and diminish one's witness.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This prohibition is foundational to the Old Testament understanding of covenant and law. It is echoed in the Ten Commandments ("You shall not commit adultery" - Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18) and is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs) and the prophetic writings, where unfaithfulness in marriage is often used as a metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms the sanctity of marriage and expands the prohibition to include lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28). The Apostle Paul also repeatedly warns against sexual immorality, emphasizing that believers are called to be holy and to flee from such sins (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).

Analogies

One analogy for the violation of marital vows is like damaging a precious and irreplaceable artifact. Just as a skilled artisan crafts an artifact with great care and precision, so too is a marriage a sacred creation with unique value. Adultery is akin to intentionally breaking or defacing this artifact, causing irreparable harm to its integrity and beauty. Another analogy relates to breaking a covenant seal. A marriage covenant is sealed by vows and commitment. Adultery is like breaking that seal, invalidating the trust and promises made.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18: The prohibition against adultery is explicitly stated as one of the Ten Commandments, underscoring its fundamental importance.
• Proverbs 6:20-35: This passage vividly describes the severe consequences of adultery, portraying it as a destructive act that ruins a man's reputation, finances, and life.
• Matthew 5:27-28: Jesus expands the prohibition to include internal desires, stating that looking at a woman lustfully is equivalent to committing adultery in one's heart.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18-20: Paul instructs believers to flee from sexual immorality and to recognize that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought at a price, and therefore to be used for God's glory.
• Hebrews 13:4: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." This verse directly echoes the sentiment of Leviticus 18:20, emphasizing God's view of marriage and His judgment on its violation.