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NASB | Leviticus 18:22 'You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Leviticus 18:22 'You shall not lie [intimately] with a male as one lies with a female; it is repulsive. [1 Cor 6:9, 10] |
Subject: what does bible say about homosexuality |
Bible Note: This conclusion finds further support in the Septuagint where the toevah is translated with the Greek word bdelygma . Fully consistent with the Hebrew, the Greek bdelygma means a ritual impurity. Once again, other Greek words were available, like anomia , meaning a violation of law or a wrong or a sin. That word could have been used to translate toevah. In fact, in some cases anomia was used to translate toevah- when the offense in question was not just a ritual impurity but also a real wrong of an injustice, like offering child sacrifice or having sex with another man s wife, in violation of his property rights. The Greek translators could have used anomia; they used bdelygma. Evidently, the Jews of that pre-Christian era simply did not understand Leviticus to forbid male-male sex because it is wrong in itself. They understood Leviticus to forbid male-male sex because it offended ancient Jewish sensitivities: it was dirty and Canaanite-like, it was unjewish. And that is exactly how they translated the Hebrew text into Greek before Christ. It makes no statement about the morality of homosexual acts as such. In todays society similar unclean acts might include picking ones nose, burping or passing gas. In Hebrew times wearing polyester, or eating shellfish etc. would have been just as much an abomination as men laying with men. I think its not that useful to get all hung up on Lev cleanliness codes which made pork eating and mixing of fibers just as terrible sins. The NT is more significant for Christians following Christ instead of Jews trying to follow the OT rituals to be accepted by God. Jesus said not a word even mistranslated about homosexuality. In fact he praised as a great example of love the Centurian's love for his slaveboy, an obviously pederastrial relationship. |