Law #155 & 156 Lev. 18:23 “Neither shall thou
lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand
before a beast to lie down thererto: it is confusion.”
Bestiality (sexual relations with an animal) was
practiced among the Hittites, Babylonians, Egyptians, and Canaanites. The Israelites were commanded not to partake
in such relations; it is defiling and the penalty was death. Law #155 refers to woman, #156 refers to men
(Ex. 22:19, Lev. 20:15-16)
Law #157 Lev. 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with
mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination.”
This Law forbids homosexuality; sexual relations
between same sex partners. Law #157 refers to homosexuals in general. Law #158 refers to your father (Lev.
18:7). Law #159 refers to your uncle
(Lev. 18:14)
Law #160 Lev. 18:20 “…Thou shalt not lie carnally
with thy neighbor’s wife, to defile thyself with her.”
The command here is not to commit adultery.
Law #161 Lev. 18:19 “Also thou shalt not approach
unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her
uncleanness.”
The command here is
not to have sexual relations with a woman who is menstruating.
Law #162 Not to marry non-Jews
Law #163 Not to let Moabite and Ammonite males marry into the Israelite people
Law #164 Don't keep a third generation Egyptian convert from marrying into the Israelite people
Law #165 Not to refrain from marrying a third generation Edomite convert
(Deut. 7:3, Deut. 23:4, Deut. 23:8) It is okay to marry a non-Israelite woman as long as she has truly converted to the Mosaic belief system of the Israelite nation. The bible only prohibited interracial marriage because Israelites were marrying pagan women. It had nothing to do with the nationality of the women, but their pagan belief system. I have 3 points of reference:
Law #163 Not to let Moabite and Ammonite males marry into the Israelite people
Law #164 Don't keep a third generation Egyptian convert from marrying into the Israelite people
Law #165 Not to refrain from marrying a third generation Edomite convert
(Deut. 7:3, Deut. 23:4, Deut. 23:8) It is okay to marry a non-Israelite woman as long as she has truly converted to the Mosaic belief system of the Israelite nation. The bible only prohibited interracial marriage because Israelites were marrying pagan women. It had nothing to do with the nationality of the women, but their pagan belief system. I have 3 points of reference:
1. Ex. 12:48, says when a
stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover, let his males be
circumcised (be converted) and he will be as a native in the land. This means that any stranger or foreigner can
walk with Israel (even in marriage) but they must truly convert to do so.
2.
If you read Ezra 10, you’ll see that Ezra was
very strict about marriage. He forced
113 Israelite males to divorce their pagan wives (17 Priests, 10 Levites, and
86 men). Not because they were foreign
women but because they were pagan women.
3. Ex. 34:12-13, 15-16,
says not to make a covenant (including marriage) with the inhabitants of the
land they were entering into because they could turn the Israelites away from
their God. They were ordered not to make
a covenant with them, not because they were foreigners but because they served
a different God. It wasn’t about nationality,
it was about religious belief.
Again, Deut. 23:8
allows interracial marriage to one who is a true follower; one who is truly
converted and walks in the ways of the Israelite nation (follows the Laws,
keeps the Sabbath, keeps the Feasts, etc.).
Also, Moses says in Law #164 Deut. 23:7 Not to turn away an Edomite
convert, for he is your brother or an Egyptian stranger, when they are 3rd
generation. The Great Grand generation
is likely not to harbor the anger of the present generation. Basically, let the bitterness of their
families pass then their children’s children may enter into the congregation if
they choose.
Law #166 Not to let a mamzer marry into the Israelite people
Deut. 23:2 “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Most High; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Most High.”
Deut. 23:2 “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Most High; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Most High.”
Mamzer; a bastard child or child conceived by way of
a forbidden relationship
The Law is regarding converts. A child conceived out of wedlock or through
a forbidden relation was excluded from entering into the congregation of the
Israelites.
*Law #167 Not to let a eunuch marry into the Israelite people
Deut. 23:2 “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Most High; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Most High.”
Deut. 23:2 “A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the Most High; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the Most High.”
According to Maimonide’s List, there is also a Law
found in Deut. 23:2 that relates to males who have been castrated (Eunuch’s) being
unable to enter into the congregation.
This is not what the scriptures say.
However, this was traditionally accepted. This command should be omitted.
Law #168 Not to castrate any male (including animals)
Lev. 22:24 “Ye shall not offer unto the Most High that
which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut; neither shall ye make any
offering thereof in your land.”
This Law is based on the instructions that no
man/animal should be with blemish when they approach to make an offering or be
an offering. (Lev. 21:17-21)
**Law #169 The High Priest must not marry a widow
Lev. 21:14 “A widow, divorced woman, or profane, or a
harlot, these shall he (a Priest) not take: but he shall take a virgin of his
own people to wife.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the command here
is that a High Priest must not marry a widow.
Actually, the scripture also refers to divorced women and profane
women. This is a Law that must be
expanded upon to fit the scripture. The
actual command is that a High Priest must marry a virgin, a woman not previously
married and who is not profane.
Law #170 The High Priest must not have relations with a
widow even outside of marriage
Lev. 21:15 “Neither shall he profane his seed among his
people: for I the Most High do sanctify him.”
To profane seed refers to having sexual relations to one you
are not married to.
Law #171 The High Priest must marry a virgin maiden
Lev. 21:13 “And he (a Priest) shall take a wife in her virginity.”
Law #169 says who a Priest should not marry (negative command). This Law says who he is to marry (positive command), which is a virgin.
Law #172 A Kohen must not marry a divorcee
Lev. 21:7 “They (a Priest) shall not take a wife
that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her
husband: for he is holy unto the Most High.”
Law #173 A Kohen must not marry a zonah (a woman who’s had
forbidden relations)
Lev. 21:7 “They (a Priest) shall not take a wife that is a
whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband:
for he is holy unto the Most High.”
Law #174 A priest must not marry a chalalah (party to or
product of #169-172)
Lev. 21:7 “They (a Priest) shall not take a wife that is a
whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband:
for he is holy unto the Most High.”
Law #175 Not to make pleasurable contact with any forbidden
woman
Lev. 18:6 “None of you shall approach to any that is near of
kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the Most High.”
This Law is
dealing with what happens prior to forbidden relations…advances, flirtation, all which
leads to the forbidden relations.
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