Leviticus 18:20-22
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
20 You shall not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife,[a](A) defiling yourself with her. 21 (B)You shall not offer any of your offspring for immolation to Molech,[b] thus profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord. 22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman;(C) such a thing is an abomination.
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- 18:20 Adultery in the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East is intercourse between a married or betrothed woman and any male. In the Bible it is generally punishable by the death of both individuals (20:10; cf. Dt 22:22–27). Intercourse with an unmarried or unbetrothed woman is not prohibited but carries responsibilities and fines (cf. Ex 22:15–16; Dt 22:28–29). Cf. Lv 19:20–22.
- 18:21 Immolation to Molech: the reference is to the custom of sacrificing children to the god Molech. Cf. Ez 16:20–21; 20:26, 31; 23:37. See note on Lv 20:1–5.
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