Leviticus 20:18

And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.

Leviticus 20:18 (KJV)

Context

Leviticus records laws God gave to Israel through Moses, focusing on ritual purity, holiness, and ethical conduct for a covenant people. This verse belongs to the Holiness Code, which called Israel to be distinct from surrounding nations. The law addressed specific sexual sins and set boundaries for marriage, showing that God cared about every area of life.

Meaning

The phrase “lie with a woman having her sickness” refers to sexual intercourse during her menstrual period. In the Hebrew context, menstruation made a person ritually impure, and such relations were forbidden. “Uncover her nakedness” is a phrase used throughout Leviticus for sexual relations that cross forbidden boundaries. The words “discovered her fountain” and “uncovered the fountain of her blood” picture the source of life and blood, showing that the act defiled the woman’s natural, life-giving processes.

The penalty was severe: “both of them shall be cut off from among their people.” This meant exclusion from the covenant community, a punishment for deliberate defilement. The “fountain” imagery points to the sacredness of life and the need to respect the body’s God-given design. This regulation underscored restraint within marriage and the corporate nature of sin, for such acts harmed not only the individuals but also the community’s holiness.

Biblical connections

The New Testament upholds the sanctity of the body. Paul writes that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that believers should honor God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This verse does not repeat the specific law about menstruation, but it reaffirms the principle of sexual purity and self-control. The severe penalty in the Old Testament shows how seriously God views sexual sin. It also foreshadows the separation from God that sin causes, and the need for atonement, fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice. In Christ, believers are cleansed from all sin and empowered by the Spirit to live purely.

Application

Christians are not bound by the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant. Yet the moral principles behind this law remain important. God cares about how we treat our bodies and the bodies of others. Sexual intimacy is a gift, but it has boundaries. This verse teaches restraint within marriage and respect for the life-giving processes of the human body. It also reminds us that sin is not only personal; it affects the whole community. When we sin, we harm ourselves and others. The underlying principle of sexual purity and respect for the body is reaffirmed in the New Testament, calling us to self-control and holiness.

Reflection

God’s laws were given for human flourishing. They protected individuals and the community from the consequences of sin. This verse calls us to examine our own attitudes toward purity and holiness. In Christ, believers are cleansed from all sin and empowered by the Spirit to live purely. The same God who gave this law also provided a way of forgiveness through Jesus. We can approach Him with confidence, knowing that His commands are good and His grace is sufficient.