Leviticus 18:20

Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her.

Leviticus 18:20 (KJV)

Context

Leviticus 18 belongs to the Holiness Code, laws God gave Israel through Moses. These rules called the people to live set apart from the nations around them. This verse stands among several prohibitions of forbidden sexual relations, all presented as defiling and contrary to God’s holy character. The command is not merely a social regulation but a spiritual one, rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Meaning

The command forbids sexual relations with a neighbour’s wife. The word “neighbour” means any fellow Israelite, so this is a direct ban on adultery. The phrase “to defile thyself with her” shows that adultery makes the person morally and spiritually unclean before God. The verse leaves no room for exceptions or private excuses. It also highlights the violation of another person’s marriage covenant and the social harm caused by adultery.

Biblical connections

This law echoes the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14). Jesus later taught that even lustful thoughts break this command (Matthew 5:27-28). Paul wrote that sexual immorality is a sin against one’s own body, because the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). These passages show that God’s standard for sexual purity continues from the Old Testament into the New.

Application

Adultery still breaks trust, harms families, and damages communities. Christians are called to honour marriage and to keep their bodies pure (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). This command also guards the heart: it forbids not only the act but also the desire that leads to it. Believers should examine their thoughts and choices, and they should respect the marriages of others in every situation. The warning against defilement is a warning against the corrupting influence of sin, which separates us from God.

Reflection

The law condemns sin, but it also points to the need for cleansing. Through Christ, believers are washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Corinthians 6:11). This verse is not only a warning; it is a reminder that God offers forgiveness and the power to live in holiness. The call to purity is a call to reflect God’s character in every part of life. The law was given to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24).