Leviticus 18:20

20 You are not to have sexual intercourse with^[a] your neighbor's wife, defiling yourself with her.^[b]

Leviticus 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 18:20

Moreover, thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's
wife
Which is adultery, and a breach of the seventh command, ( Exodus 20:14 ) : to defile thyself with her;
not only adultery is a defiling a man's wife, as it is sometimes called, but the adulterer defiles himself: all sin is of a defiling nature, but especially this, which defiles a man both in soul and body, and brings a blot and stain upon his character, which shall not be wiped off, ( Proverbs 6:32 Proverbs 6:33 ) .

Leviticus 18:20 In-Context

18 You are not to marry a woman as a rival to her sister and have sexual intercourse with her during her [sister's] lifetime.

19 "You are not to come near a woman during her menstrual impurity to have sexual intercourse with her.

20 You are not to have sexual intercourse with your neighbor's wife, defiling yourself with her.

21 "You are not to make any of your children pass through [the fire] to Molech. Do not profane the name of your God; I am the Lord.

22 You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit to give your emission of semen to
• [b]. Lv 20:10; Ex 20:14; Nm 5:11-31; Dt 22:22