A passage with a long interpretive history
Leviticus 18:22 is commonly identified as one of the passages used in arguments about male same-sex sexual activity. Its meaning has been debated through questions about Hebrew vocabulary, ancient social settings, translation choices and the relationship between the Mosaic laws and later Christian ethics.
This page does not ask readers to adopt one conclusion. It sets out the central issue in accessible language and points to related essays that examine context, translations and the Hebrew term often rendered as “abomination.”
Reading note
English translations differ in wording and tone. Comparing a translation with its notes and historical context can help distinguish the text itself from later interpretation.
Topics covered in this section
Context and analysis
Explore the surrounding chapter, ancient social assumptions and major interpretive questions.
Translations and interpretations
Read the two-part discussion of how translation decisions shape contemporary readings.
The Mosaic Code and “To'ebah”
Examine a Hebrew term frequently translated as “abomination” and the interpretive issues around it.
Why wording matters
Some English editions use direct language about male sexual relations, while others use broader modern terminology. Those choices can affect whether readers understand the verse as addressing a specific act, a wider category of relationships, or a larger system of ritual and social boundaries.
Responsible study therefore benefits from consulting several translations, reading the surrounding chapters and recognizing that communities may place the passage within different theological frameworks.
For respectful discussion, separate what the verse says in a particular translation from the conclusions later readers draw from it.
Editorial principle: describe differences before evaluating them.Related reading paths
Readers approaching this subject for the first time may wish to begin with Christianity, the site's material on Christian definitions, or the broader collection on sexual orientation and marriage equality.