CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 20:10 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/20-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/03_Lev_20_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 20:10 - Punishments for Sexual Immorality" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/leviticus/20-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/leviticus/20-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/leviticus/">Leviticus</a> > <a href="/leviticus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm" title="Leviticus 20:9">◄</a> Leviticus 20:10 <a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm" title="Leviticus 20:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/leviticus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220&#8217If a man commits adultery with another man&#8217s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the man and the woman who have committed adultery must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the man that committeth adultery with <i>another</i> man's wife, <i>even he</i> that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘The man who commits adultery with <i>another</i> man’s wife, <i>he</i> who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘If <i>there is</i> a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If there is a man who commits adultery with another man&#8217s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend&#8217s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘If <i>there is</i> a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />‘If <i>there is</i> a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘The man who commits adultery with another’s wife, even his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall most certainly be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If a man commits adultery with a married woman—if he commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a man commits adultery with a married woman—if he commits adultery with his neighbor&#8217s wife—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If any of you men have sex with another man's wife, both you and the woman will be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"If a man commits adultery with another man's wife or with his neighbor's wife, both he and the woman must be put to death for their adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If a man commits adultery with the wife of an Israelite, both he and the woman shall be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"If anyone commits adultery with another man's wife, including when someone commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress are to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If a man commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'The man who commits adultery with another man's wife shall surely be put to death, both the adulterer and the adulteress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And a man who commits adultery with a man’s wife—who commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor—the adulterer and the adulteress are surely put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> '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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And a man who shall commit adultery with a man's wife, who shall commit adultery with his friend's wife, dying, he shall die, the adulterer and the adulteress.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If any man commit adultery with the wife of another, and defile his neighbour's wife, let then: be put to death, both the adulterer and the adulteress. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If anyone will have committed sexual acts with the wife of another, or will have perpetrated adultery with his neighbor’s spouse, they shall die a death, both the adulterer and the adulteress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the man who commits adultery with another man's wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And a man who commits adultery with the wife of a man and will commit adultery with the wife of his neighbor, the adulterer and the adulteress shall certainly be killed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Whatever man shall commit adultery with the wife of a man, or whoever shall commit adultery with the wife of his neighbour, let them die the death, the adulterer and the adulteress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/20-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=5348" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm">Punishments for Sexual Immorality</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·’îš (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">If a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5003.htm" title="5003: yin·’ap̄ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To commit adultery. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize.">commits adultery</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">another man’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife—</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5003.htm" title="5003: yin·’ap̄ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To commit adultery. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">of his neighbor—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5003.htm" title="5003: han·nō·’êp̄ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To commit adultery. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize.">both the adulterer</a> <a href="/hebrew/5003.htm" title="5003: wə·han·nō·’ā·p̄eṯ (Conj-w, Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To commit adultery. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize.">and the adulteress</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mō·wṯ- (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">must surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yū·maṯ (V-Hofal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">be put to death.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>If 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-5</a></span><br />The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / 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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Proverbs 6:32</a></span><br />He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a></span><br />For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2-5</a></span><br />One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Matthew 19:9</a></span><br />Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-11.htm">Mark 10:11-12</a></span><br />So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-18.htm">Luke 16:18</a></span><br />Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-23.htm">Jeremiah 29:23</a></span><br />For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">Hosea 4:14</a></span><br />I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-38.htm">Ezekiel 16:38</a></span><br />And I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and those who shed blood; so I will bring upon you the wrath of your bloodshed and jealousy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the man that commits adultery with another man's wife, even he that commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.</p><p class="hdg">the adulterer</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22-24</a></b></br> If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, <i>both</i> the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a></b></br> And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Ezekiel 23:45-47</a></b></br> And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they <i>are</i> adulteresses, and blood <i>is</i> in their hands… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/james/2-11.htm">Adulterer</a> <a href="/romans/7-3.htm">Adulteress</a> <a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-3.htm">Commits</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-29.htm">Committeth</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Death</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Friend's</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Neighbor's</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-20.htm">Neighbour's</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-20.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-20.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-20.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/24-15.htm">Adulterer</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Adulteress</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-18.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/numbers/5-6.htm">Commits</a> <a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Committeth</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Death</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-14.htm">Friend's</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-19.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-14.htm">Neighbor's</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-19.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-14.htm">Neighbour's</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-1.htm">Of him who gives his seed to Moloch</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-4.htm">Of him who favors such an one</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Of going to wizards</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-7.htm">Of sanctification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Of him who curses his parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Of incest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-13.htm">Of sodomy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-15.htm">Of bestiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Of uncleanness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Obedience is required with holiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Wizards must be put to death</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife</b><br>This phrase addresses the act of adultery, which is defined as a married person engaging in sexual relations with someone other than their spouse. In the ancient Near Eastern context, marriage was a covenantal relationship, and adultery was seen as a violation of this sacred bond. The commandment against adultery is also found in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a>), highlighting its importance in maintaining the moral and social fabric of the community. Adultery was considered not only a personal sin but also a communal offense that could bring judgment upon the nation.<p><b>with the wife of his neighbor</b><br>The term "neighbor" in this context refers to a fellow member of the Israelite community. The use of "neighbor" emphasizes the close-knit nature of the society and the expectation of mutual respect and trust among its members. This phrase underscores the betrayal involved in adultery, as it violates the trust between individuals who are part of the same community. The concept of loving one's neighbor is central to biblical teaching, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>, and adultery is a direct contradiction to this principle.<p><b>both the adulterer and the adulteress</b><br>The law applies equally to both parties involved in the act of adultery, reflecting the biblical principle of justice and accountability. This equal treatment contrasts with some ancient cultures where women might have been more severely punished than men for similar offenses. The inclusion of both the adulterer and the adulteress highlights the seriousness of the sin and the need for both parties to be held responsible for their actions.<p><b>must surely be put to death</b><br>The prescribed penalty for adultery is death, indicating the gravity of the offense in the eyes of God. This severe punishment served as a deterrent to prevent the breakdown of family and societal structures. The death penalty for adultery is also mentioned in <a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a>, reinforcing its importance in maintaining the holiness and purity of the community. While the New Testament does not prescribe the death penalty for adultery, it continues to affirm the sanctity of marriage (<a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4-6</a>) and calls for repentance and forgiveness (<a href="/john/8-3.htm">John 8:3-11</a>). The ultimate fulfillment of the law is found in Jesus Christ, who offers grace and redemption to those who repent of their sins.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/adulterer_and_adulteress.htm">Adulterer and Adulteress</a></b><br>These are the individuals involved in the act of adultery. In the context of ancient Israel, this refers to a man and a woman who engage in sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage, specifically when one or both are married to someone else.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/neighbor.htm">Neighbor</a></b><br>In this context, "neighbor" refers to a fellow member of the Israelite community. The term underscores the communal aspect of the law, emphasizing the breach of trust and covenant within the community.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The setting for this law is the Israelite community, which was governed by the Mosaic Law. This law was given to the Israelites as part of their covenant with God, establishing guidelines for holy living.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mosaic_law.htm">Mosaic Law</a></b><br>The body of laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. Leviticus is part of this legal and religious framework.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/death_penalty.htm">Death Penalty</a></b><br>The prescribed consequence for adultery in this passage, reflecting the seriousness with which the community was to regard the sanctity of marriage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_marriage.htm">The Sanctity of Marriage</a></b><br>Marriage is a covenant relationship that reflects God's faithfulness. Adultery violates this sacred bond and disrupts the community's moral fabric.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>The death penalty for adultery in ancient Israel underscores the gravity of sin and its consequences. While the New Testament emphasizes grace, it does not diminish the seriousness of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The law highlights the communal aspect of sin. Adultery affects not just the individuals involved but the entire community, calling for collective responsibility in upholding God's standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/grace_and_redemption.htm">Grace and Redemption</a></b><br>While the Old Testament law prescribes severe penalties, the New Testament reveals God's grace through Christ, offering forgiveness and a call to repentance for all sinners.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount calls believers to guard their hearts against lust and impurity, recognizing that sin begins in the heart.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">Shall be surely put to death</span>--That is, by stoning. (See <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm" title="Again, you shall say to the children of Israel, Whoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that gives any of his seed to Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.">Leviticus 20:2</a>.) This precept is also to be found in <a href="/exodus/21-17.htm" title="And he that curses his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.">Exodus 21:17</a>; <a href="/proverbs/20-20.htm" title="Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.">Proverbs 20:20</a>, and is referred to by our Lord (<a href="/matthew/15-14.htm" title="Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.">Matthew 15:14</a>; <a href="/mark/7-10.htm" title="For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoever curses father or mother, let him die the death:">Mark 7:10</a>).<p><span class= "bld">His blood shall be upon </span>him--That is, he has brought it upon himself to be killed. (See <a href="/joshua/2-19.htm" title="And it shall be, that whoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his head, and we will be guiltless: and whoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be on him.">Joshua 2:19</a>.) This phrase, which occurs seven times either in the singular or plural, is only to be found in this chapter (See <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm" title="For every one that curses his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be on him.">Leviticus 20:9</a>; <a href="/context/leviticus/20-11.htm" title="And the man that 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 on them.">Leviticus 20:11-13</a>; <a href="/leviticus/20-16.htm" title="And if a woman approach to any beast, and lie down thereto, you shall kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be on them.">Leviticus 20:16</a>; <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm" title="A man also or woman that has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be on them.">Leviticus 20:27</a>). According to the authorities during the second Temple, it carried with it death by lapidation. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - The Hebrew punishment for adultery is more severe than that of most other nations. Death is again pronounced as the penalty of both adulterer and adulteress in <a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a>. The crime is that of a man with a married woman, whether the man be married or not; it is not that of a married man with an unmarried woman, which, in a country where polygamy was allowed, could not be regarded in the same light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/20-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If a man</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִ֗ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commits adultery</span><br /><span class="heb">יִנְאַף֙</span> <span class="translit">(yin·’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5003.htm">Strong's 5003: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to apostatize</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[another] man’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֔ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wife—</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֣שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wife</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֣שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his neighbor—</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵעֵ֑הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both the adulterer</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנֹּאֵ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(han·nō·’êp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5003.htm">Strong's 5003: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to apostatize</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the adulteress</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַנֹּאָֽפֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·han·nō·’ā·p̄eṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5003.htm">Strong's 5003: </a> </span><span class="str2">To commit adultery, to apostatize</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must surely</span><br /><span class="heb">מֽוֹת־</span> <span class="translit">(mō·wṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be put to death.</span><br /><span class="heb">יוּמַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(yū·maṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 20:10 The man who commits adultery with another (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 20:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 20:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>