Leviticus 18:23 Meaning: Why God Calls It a Perversion
“‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.
Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
`And with any beast thou dost not give thy copulation, for uncleanness with it; and a woman doth not stand before a beast to lie down with it; confusion it is .
And thou shalt lie with no beast to become unclean therewith; and a woman shall not stand before a beast to lie down with it: it is confusion.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Leviticus 18:23 call bestiality a 'perversion'? Discover the meaning of tevel and how this verse reveals God's design for human sexuality.
Context
This verse comes near the end of a chapter where God draws clear lines around sexual behavior for His people. The Israelites had left Egypt, a place where many of these practices happened openly, and they were entering Canaan where similar things were common. God wanted His people to be different, to reflect His holy character. Each prohibition in Leviticus 18 protects the boundaries God built into creation. The last two verses forbid the most extreme violations of those boundaries. This verse addresses an act that blurs the distinction between human and animal, which God established from the very beginning.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words carry the weight here. The first is tevel, translated as 'perversion' or 'confusion.' It does not mean a minor mistake. It describes a mixing up of what God intended to keep separate. At creation, God made animals and humans as distinct kinds. To unite them sexually is to unravel that distinction and bring disorder where God made order.
The second word is sh'khavet, which refers to lying down in a sexual context. It is the same word used for marital intimacy elsewhere. The act itself is not wrong, but the partner matters immensely. The third word is natan, meaning 'give.' The verse says, 'You shall not give your copulation.' This frames the act as something given, not taken. When given outside God's design, what could be good becomes defiling.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse as a clear prohibition rooted in creation. Matthew Henry writes that the word 'confusion' indicates a violation of the natural order. John Gill connects the law to practices in Egypt, where such acts were known to happen. Keil and Delitzsch note that the surrounding context ties these prohibitions to the defilement of the land itself. There is no major interpretive disagreement. All see this as a boundary God set to protect the distinction between humans and animals, a boundary that reflects His wisdom in creation.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume this law was only about ceremonial purity or ancient cultural taboos. In fact, the word tevel points to a violation of the divine order itself. The cross references in Exodus 22:19 and Leviticus 20:15 show that this act was treated as a capital offense, not a mere ritual impurity. God's design for human sexuality is built into creation, and any act that blurs that design is a serious distortion.
Living This Out
You may not face this exact temptation, but the principle reaches further. God calls you to honor the boundaries He set in creation. That means respecting the differences He made, not just between male and female, but between human and animal. It also means letting your view of sexuality be shaped by Scripture, not by the surrounding culture. When you feel pressure to accept what God calls confusion, remember that His commands protect life and order. You can thank Him for the good gifts He gives within the boundaries He designed.
Main takeaway: God created human sexuality to reflect His order, and any act that blurs the distinction He made is a serious perversion.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God made animals and people different. He wants us to treat animals with kindness and respect, but never in ways that confuse the difference He made. This verse says that some things are not right.
For ages 9, 12
God created humans and animals as very different kinds of creatures. This verse protects that difference by forbidding any sexual act between them. The word ‘perversion’ tells us that such an act mixes up what God meant to keep separate. God’s plan for sexual intimacy is within marriage, and this verse is part of that bigger picture. As you grow, remember that God’s rules always come from His love and wisdom.
Questions People Ask
What does the word 'perversion' mean in Leviticus 18:23?
The Hebrew word is tevel. It means confusion or a violation of the natural order God set in creation. It is a strong term that shows this act is not just wrong but deeply disordered.
Why is bestiality forbidden in the Bible?
It blurs the created distinction between humans and animals. God made each kind separate and designed human intimacy for relationships between people. Any act that crosses that boundary dishonors God's wise order.
Does Leviticus 18:23 apply to Christians today?
Christians across traditions have understood this prohibition as rooted in creation, not just in the laws of ancient Israel. It reflects a moral boundary that remains because God's design for creation does not change.
How does this verse fit with the surrounding chapter?
It is the last of several prohibitions against sexual sins. The chapter begins with a call not to follow the practices of Egypt or Canaan. These verses protect the holiness of God's people and the purity of the land He gave them.
What is the Hebrew word translated as 'perversion' in some Bibles?
The word is tevel, from Strong's H8397. It carries the sense of confusion or disorder, pointing to a violation of God's intended boundaries in creation.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study