Exodus - 22:19



19 "Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Exodus 22:19.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Whosoever copulateth with a beast shall be put to death.
Every one that lieth with a beast shall certainly be put to death.
Whoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Whoever lies with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Any man who has sex connection with a beast is to be put to death.
Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal shall be put to death.
Quisquis concubuerit cum animali, morte moriatur.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

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 practiced in Egypt to the present day.

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 one would think it could never be committed by any of the human species, and that there was no occasion for making a law against it; but, such is the depravity and corruption of mankind, that divine wisdom saw it necessary, and, to deter from it, made it death, as follows; such an one
shall surely be put to death; no mercy shown him, no pardon or respite given him by the civil magistrate: according to the Targum of Jonathan, the death of such a person was by stoning, for it paraphrases the words,"he shall be killed with the casting of stones.''

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