1. We will attempt
to understand any biblical passage in its biblical context. In Leviticus
18, we may read this prohibition: You
shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination (v. 22, New Revised Standard Version, here and following).
Let’s put that verse into its biblical context. Leviticus
18 is largely about the prohibition of certain sexual acts. In it Yahweh forbids
sexual intercourse between close relatives (vs. 6-18, 20), with one’s wife
while she is menstruating (v. 19), between two men (v. 22), and with any
animal (v. 23). In this passage Yahweh also forbids the sacrifice of children to Molech
(Jupiter).