V. Marriage, Divorce, and Sexual Relations
A. Marriage

“Modern notions of proper marriage relations do not necessarily reflect the custom and laws of the Israelites.  Most noticeable is the tacitly permitted practice of polygamy in the ancient law.  In centuries to come most societies, both religious and secular, will generally disapprove of the practice.

The marriage relationship is assumed to be permanent in nature and necessary for the establishment of certain rights and for the legitimacy of sexual relations (and for having offspring therefrom.)”

MARRYING A CAPTIVE WOMAN   Deuteronomy 21:10-14

FIRST-YEAR FREEDOM   Deuteronomy 24:5

IF VIRGINITY DOUBTED   Deuteronomy 22:13-21

B. Divorce

“The Israelites are taught the seriousness and finality of a dissolved marriage.  Later Scripture indicates that any ease of divorce under the Laws of Moses may be merely a concession on God’s part at this time.”

FINALITY OF DIVORCE   Deuteronomy 24:1-4

C. Sexual Violations
1. Introduction

CONTRAST WITH PAGANS   Leviticus  18:1-5

2. Adultry

“At the heart of the marriage relationship is the idea of faithfulness to the vows of commitment.  Faithfulness is important both in marriage ind in the people’s relationship with God.  Their unfaithfulness to God is considered spiritual adultery.  Breach of the marriage vow by sexual relations with a person other than one’s spouse is so serious that it is prohibited by one of the ten basic commandments.”


LAW AGAINST ADULTERY   Leviticus 18:20

PENALTY FOR ADULTERY   Leviticus 20:10/Deuteronomy 22:22

ADULTERY WITH ONE BETROTHED   Deuteronomy 22:23,24

WHERE BETROTHED IS SLAVE   Leviticus 19:20-22

TEST OF ADULTERY   Numbers 5:11-31

3. Fornication

“Sexual relations between unmarried persons may result in certain adverse consequences.  As noted previously, the woman’s lack of virginity at the time of marriage can subject her to punishment.”  (See Deuteronomy 22:13-21)

4. Prostitution

“Prohibition of sexual relations given in exchange for money concerns not only the unapproved sexual activity itself, but also forbidden participation in pagan cult worship, in which prostitution by both men and women is commonplace.”

EVIL OF PROSTITUTION   Leviticus 19:29

NO CULT PROSTITUTION   Deuteronomy 23:17,18

5. Incest

“Sexual activity between blood relatives and other near relatives is prohibited.  This is therefore the formal end of the early period during which extremely close relatives married each other, presumably for more rapid propagation of the human family.”

PARENTS   Leviticus 18:6-8/Deuteronomy 22:30

PENALTY   Leviticus 20:11

SISTER   Leviticus 18:9

HALF-SISTER   Leviticus 18:11

PENALTY   Leviticus 20:17

GRANDDAUGHTER   Leviticus 18:10

AUNT OR UNCLE   Leviticus 18:12-14

PENALTY   Leviticus 20:19,20

DAUGHTER-IN-LAW   Leviticus 18:15

PENALTY   Leviticus 20:12

SISTER-IN-LAW   Leviticus 18:16

PENALTY   Leviticus 20:21

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER   Leviticus 18:17

PENALTY   Leviticus 20:14

TWO SISTERS   Leviticus 18:18

6. Violation of Uncleanness

“Because a woman is considered ceremonially unclean during her menstrual period, sexual relations during that time are prohibited.”


PENALTY   Leviticus 20:18

7. Homosexual Practices


PENALTY   Leviticus 20:13

8. Bestiality


PENALTY   Exodus 22:19/Leviticus 20:15,16

9. Conclusion

WARNING ABOUT SEXUAL SINS   Leviticus 18:24-30, 20:22,23

PEOPLE TO BE SEPARATE   Leviticus 20:24

D. Separation of Sexes

CLOTHES OF OPPOSITE SEX   Deuteronomy 22:5

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.