Exodus 22:19

Whosoeuer lieth with a beast, shall surely be put to death. Exodus 22:19 (KJV)

This verse belongs to the book of Exodus, which records the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt and their journey toward the Promised Land. It is one of the laws and regulations given by God to the people through Moses, commonly referred to as the Mosaic Law or the Law of Moses. In this specific command God declares that anyone who engages in sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death. The prohibition reflects God’s intention to establish clear moral and sexual boundaries within the Israelite community.

Understanding the context of this command requires seeing it within the broader framework of the Mosaic Law. The Law of Moses covered moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations and served as a guide for the Israelites to live in obedience to God. These laws were designed to promote righteousness, justice, and holiness among the people of Israel, and the prohibition against bestiality fits within the moral and sexual regulations outlined in the covenant.

The severity of the prescribed penalty—death—highlights the gravity of the offence. Bestiality is a perversion of the natural order established by God and violates the inherent dignity of both humans and animals. By imposing such a severe consequence, God underscores the seriousness of this act and its destructive nature. The command also aims to preserve the sanctity of human sexuality, which Scripture affirms is intended to be expressed solely within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (see Genesis 2:24).

It is important to note that the civil and ceremonial aspects of the Old Testament law were addressed specifically to ancient Israel. While those aspects are not binding on Christians today, the underlying moral principles—such as sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage—continue to carry significance for believers. The moral thrust of Exodus 22:19 remains a call to uphold the dignity of human relationships as ordained by God.

In summary, Exodus 22:19 commands the death penalty for bestiality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sexual purity and upholding the sanctity of human relationships as established by God.