What is an "abomination"? (Levitico 18:22 and 20:13)
Reflections of Rev. David Eck Asheville* (USA) taken from jesuslovesgays (USA), 30 june 2009, freely translated by Bruno
You will not have male relationships as you have with woman: it is Abominio (Lev. 18:22); If one has relationships with a man like with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they will have to be put to death; Their blood will fall on them. (Lev. 20:13). For conservative Christians these texts seem to be precise and dry enough. The texts speak of homosexual acts between males; The action is called an "abomination" and the forecast is death. All this seems quite simple and sounds rather badly. But what does this text mean in its historical context?
The sex between males is prohibited because it is associated with pagan activities (cult prostitution), to idolatry and a pagan identity. The theme, in Levitic, is religious, non -ethical or moral. That is to say, we do not ask ourselves the question if the sex itself is right or wrong: every interest is aimed at preserving a strong Jewish identity. Therefore, it is abusing the Bible to mention the Levitic as an answer to the modern ethical question whether homosexuality is just or wrong. Levitician did not ask this question. The concern in the Levitician, the cultural context of that text, and the meaning of the male homosexual relationship in ancient Israel are all very foreign to the current situation. Today's and Levitic problem are simply two different things.
To further clarify the question, the word "abomination" is simply another term for "impure". An "abomination" is a violation of the rules of purity that have ruled Israelite society and maintained the Israelites different from other peoples. The Israelites of the time thought that genital sex between males was dirty.
It was not forbidden because it was wrong in itself, but because it offended religious sensitivity; It meant that a Jewish man was similar to a rib. And for the children of Israel, people elected by God, this was unacceptable.
Let's try to deepen the study of the word abominum - (in Hebrew: Toebah). It can also be translated as "impurity","contamination"Or"dirt“. Even the word "taboo", Which indicates something culturally or ritually forbidden, it would be another accurate translation. The meaning of the term toebah becomes clear when one realizes that another Jewish term could have been used: Zimah,. Zimah does not indicate what is reprehensible for religious or cultural reasons, but what is wrong in itself, because it represents an injustice, a shame.
In addition, in the seventy version the Jewish word Toebah that appears in Levitico 18:22 is translated with the Greek word bdelygma. Fully consistent with Hebrew, Greek Bdellygma indicates a ritual impurities, a contamination. Once again, there were other Greek words available, such as Anomia, which indicates a violation of the law, a wrong or a pity.
The greek translation could have used anomia to translate toevah in the case Of "man who has relationships with a man like with a woman", but bdellygma was instead used in his place.
Evidently, the Jews of the pre-Christian era simply did not intend that Levitician prohibited male homosexuality because it was wrong in itself. Levitico prohibited it because he offended the ancient Jewish sensitivity: he was dirty and of the canan style, he was anti -Jewish. And exactly so the Jewish text in Greek was translated, centuries before Christ.
According to the Bible, it was also an abomination that Egyptians and Jews ate together; Eat any type of molluscs or crustaceans; Eat the ostrich; have a proud look, a liar language, a heart that devises evil plans; testify to the false; sow discord in a family; use a make -up scale; Eating on the mountains; oppress the poor and needy; lend to interest. And this is only the tip of the iceberg "Abominio"!
Furthermore, according to the Bible, those who should be "put to death"They include their children who curs their parents; those who have committed adultery; and those who violate Saturday. If we consider that those who remarry commit adultery, and that most Christians violate on Saturdays because they celebrate on Sunday instead of Saturday, then the list of those who deserve to be" put to death "risks becoming very long!
It is clear that conservative Christians use the code of holiness and the laws of the Old Testament selectively. They have placed a greater weight on the prohibitions against male homosexuality (note that, once again, lesbians are excluded!) Ignoring equally clear teachings towards others "abominations".
The textual use of writing to justify acts of hatred, violence or mistreatment against others is a dangerous thing. Clearly, a different method is needed to interpret the writing, a method that takes the Bible seriously, but not literally. When they asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, he replied: "You will Love The lord your god with all my heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the largest and first of the commandments. and The second is similar to the first: You will love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets». [Mt 22,37-40]
For me, this is the law to live and die for. Every day I constantly wonder if my thoughts, words and actions bring me closer to God / others or they move away from me. This seems a much healthier way to follow Christ, rather than follow a few verses selected by the Code of Holiness, ignoring the rest.
* The Rev. David Eck Asheville of North Carolina (USA) is a shepherd of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of America (Elca). Today he can tell himself, without hiding, in his blog Jesuslovesgays.blogspot.com
