Definition: Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbourâs wife, to defile thyself with her.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 18:20. It's a really important rule about relationships and respect for others. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that you shouldn’t have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife in a way that is disrespectful or impure. It’s about maintaining a good, honest, and loving relationship with everyone. Let's unpack it word by word: “Leviticus 18:20” : This tells us where this rule comes from – it’s part of the laws given to Moses in the Old Testament. “Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally…” - "Carnally" means sexually, literally "in a way that is sensual or sinful." So, this means without passion or lust . It's about acting in a way that’s not right and isn’t based on love and respect. “…with thy neighbor’s wife…” - This is the core of the rule. It refers to having sexual relations with a woman who is not your partner’s wife – someone who isn't part of their family or relationship. "...to defile thyself with her." – This is a more figurative way of saying that you are making yourself impure through these relationships. “Defile” means to stain or corrupt something, and in this case, it’s about damaging your reputation, your character, or the relationship you have with someone else. What does this mean practically? It's a strong prohibition against: Infidelity: Having an affair is considered wrong because it breaks trust and harms relationships. Disrespectful Behavior: It means treating another person with disrespect, like being overly jealous, possessive, or manipulative. Damaging Relationships: It warns us to be mindful of how our actions affect others and the bonds we’re building. Important Context (Briefly): This verse is part of a larger set of laws in Leviticus that focused on maintaining a just and holy society. It's about showing love and respect for everyone, including your neighbors and family. In short: This verse stresses the importance of ethical behavior and treating others with dignity – especially those you are not connected to through a marriage or relationship. --- Do you want me to: Explain it in a different way? Give an example of how this verse might be applied in real life?