Sexually (action) שְׁכֹ֫בֶת

We are in chapter eighteen of Leviticus with our word for today. שְׁכֹ֫בֶת sexual intercourse, copulation. It is used 4 times in the Old Testament, twice in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense to have sexual intercourse with. Numbers 5:20 But if you have gone astray, though you are under your husband's authority, and if you have defiled yourself, and some man other than your husband שְׁכָבְתּ֔וֹ has lain with you. Notice the reference to gone astray. God’s word is consistent about sexual sin outside of marriage. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Leviticus 18:20 And you shall not lie שְׁכָבְתְּךָ֖ [There are two words that are translated sexually into English our word refers to the action itself] sexually with your neighbor's wife and so make yourself unclean with her. The original two words that are translated sexually leave no doubt as to what was going on. We are talking about adultery. The word affair is used instead because it sounds like fun instead of something that would cause such an avalanche of pain and negative events. The other use of our word in our chapter talks about a different kind of sexual sin. Leviticus 18:23 And you shall not שְׁכָבְתְּךָ֖ lie with any animal and so make yourself unclean with it, neither shall any woman give herself to an animal לְרִבְעָ֖הּ [this is a different word that means to stretch out or lie down. Here and many places it is used as a synonym to our word sexual intercourse] to lie with it: it is perversion. Notice God’s conclusion about this that it is a perversion. This prohibition is repeated, also using our word, later in Leviticus this time adding a deadly consequence. Leviticus 20:15 If a man שְׁכָבְתּ֛וֹ lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. Deuteronomy 27:21 Cursed be anyone who lies with any kind of animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ When talking about sexual sin God emphasizes that there are consequences to them. At the same time God reminds us that the corrupted culture around us teaches that there are no consequences to sin. This is why God started our chapter with the warning of not being influenced by Egypt and Canaan. We will look at these consequences in the next few days as we look at more of the details in the rest of the chapter. I’ll close with this great reminder. Proverbs 7:4-5, 13, 18-23 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words … She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him … Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.” With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.