Leviticus 20:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sexual relations during menstruation result in both being cut off from the people.
The Context of Leviticus 20:18
Sexual relations during menstruation render both persons unclean and result in expulsion.
What Does Leviticus 20:18 Mean?
The law prohibits sexual relations during menstruation, viewing it as uncovering the woman's natural fountain and exposing her flow of blood. Both participants are held responsible; this is not passive circumstance but conscious choice on both sides.
The penalty is excision from the community rather than death, perhaps reflecting a different category of impurity violation. The laws on sexual conduct aim to maintain boundaries protecting the sacred order and family integrity within Israel.
Leviticus 20:18 in the Original Language
sickness (נִדָּה) — niddah, 'menstruation, separation'; a period of natural separation grounded in ritual law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 20:18
What does Leviticus 20:18 mean?
Sexual relations during menstruation result in both being cut off from the people.
What is the context of Leviticus 20:18?
Sexual relations during menstruation render both persons unclean and result in expulsion.