I'll now start to deep dive into the relevant passages...
1. Lev 18:22
[Lev 18:22 KJV] 22 Thou shalt not lie (H7901) with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination (H8441).
2. Lev 20:13
[Lev 20:13 KJV] 13 If a man also lie (H7901) with mankind, as he lieth (H7904) with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination (H8441): they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them.
Lie (H7901) is
shakab. Literally it means to lie down with, but is a euphemism for sexual relations.
Lieth (H7904) is
miskab. It is the noun form and is a bed. It is also a euphemism for sexual relations.
Abomination is
toeba. It is something disgusting, an abhorrence, unclean ritually, ethically wicked.
These passages are in the context of the
Holiness code.
The Holiness code is used in biblical criticism to refer to Leviticus chapters 17–26, and sometimes passages in other books of the Pentateuch, especially Numbers and Exodus. It is so called due to its highly repeated use of the word holy (Hebrew: קדוש qəḏōš or kadash[1]). Kadash is usually translated as "holy", but originally meant "set apart", with "special", "clean/pure", "whole" and "perfect" as associated meanings.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiness_code
Code of Holiness, collection of secular, ritualistic, moral, and festival regulations in the Old Testament Book of Leviticus, chapters 17–26. The code stresses that the people of Israel are separated from the rest of the world because Yahweh (God) has chosen them. They are to demonstrate their unique election by disassociating themselves from profane worldliness and by retaining their ritualistic and moral purity.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Code-of-Holiness
The Holiness code, in particular chapters 18 and 20, addresses sexual practices the Canaanites were doing that were an abomination.
[Lev 18:3 KJV] 3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.
List of sexual sins:
- Sex with neighbor's wife
- Child sacrifice to Molech
- Men having sex with other men
- Beastiality
- Sex with a near relative
The Canaanite nations would be judged for these and the Israelites were likewise to not practice them.
[Lev 18:24-25 KJV] 24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: 25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
Other translations of Lev 18:22:
(ESV)
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
(NET)
You must not have sexual relations with a male as one has sexual relations with a woman; it is a detestable act.
(NIV)
Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
Some translations that use the term homosexuality:
(NLT)
"Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.
(TLB)
"Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin.
Other translations of Lev 20:13:
(ESV)
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
(NET)
If a man goes to bed with a male as one goes to bed with a woman, the two of them have committed an abomination. They must be put to death; their blood guilt is on themselves.
(NIV)
If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
(NLT)
If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.
(TLB)
The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties. They have brought it upon themselves.
Some sexual relations that are not mentioned in the Holiness code:
- Female having sex with a female
- Sex between unmarried couple
- Sex with prostitutes
- Male having sex with multiple women
