Regardless of your beliefs, it’s fascinating to explore some of these lesser-known biblical rules—whether to enrich your understanding of religious history or just to see how much times have changed.
In a Fight, If a Woman Grabs a Man’s Genitals, Cut Off Her Hand
According to Deuteronomy 25:11-12, “When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.”
What it means: The word “secrets” in this verse refers to genitals, and the instruction to “cut off her hand” is meant literally. However, later interpretations softened the punishment, suggesting that instead of amputation, a fine equal to the value of the hand should be paid (“a fine of the value of the hand”).
If a Slave Refuses Freedom, Pierce Their Ear
The book of Exodus lays out this rule regarding slavery: “And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.” (21:5-6)
What it means: Scholars have debated the meaning of this law. Some suggest that piercing the ear symbolized a voluntary choice to remain in servitude, while others believe it was a way to mark those who had forfeited their right to freedom.
Women Accused of Adultery Had to Drink Water Mixed with Dirt
Numbers 5:11-31 describes a strange and harsh practice: “If a man’s wife goes astry, and is unfaithful to him so that another man has sexual relations with her, and this is hidden from her husband… the priest shall take holy water in a clay jar; and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water … then the priest…shall say to her… May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells or your womb miscarries.”
What it means: Some interpretations suggest this ritual was meant to force a confession, while others believe it was thought to cause a miscarriage in the case of an unfaithful wife. Either way, the idea was to use a mix of holy water and dust from the temple floor to determine guilt.
Don’t Wear Clothes Made from Both Linen and Wool
Leviticus 19:19 lays down rules about clothing, stating: “Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.”
What it means: There are different explanations for this prohibition. One interpretation is that “wool and linen were appointed for the priests alone.”. Another theory suggests that mixing these materials was believed to cause health issues, as some scholars wrote that it “brings on malignant fevers and exhausts the strength.”.
Don’t Sit Where a Menstruating Woman Has Sat
Leviticus 15:19-21 outlines a rule about menstrual impurity: “And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.”
What it means: The rule essentially meant that anything a menstruating woman touched was considered unclean. People were required to wash themselves after any contact with her belongings.
You Can’t Kill a Burglar During the Day
Exodus 22:2-3 states: “If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.”
What it means: The distinction here is that killing a burglar at night was considered self-defense, while doing so in broad daylight suggested “murderous intent”. In such cases, shedding the burglar’s blood was not justified unless necessary (“shed the blood of the burglar”).
Don’t Plant More Than One Type of Seed in a Field
Leviticus 19:19 warns against mixing different crops, saying: “Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.”
What it means: Some believe this was meant to prevent superstitious farming practices, while others suggest it was a practical rule, ensuring that crops weren’t “mingled” in ways that would harm productivity.
Never Boil a Baby Goat in Its Mother’s Milk
Exodus 23:19 includes this peculiar law: “The first of the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.”
What it means: Some scholars believe this was a prohibition against ancient fertility rituals, where milk was used as a “charm” to make fields “more productive.”. Others see it as a reminder of compassion, ensuring that a mother’s milk wouldn’t be used to cook her own offspring.
Don’t Tear Your Clothes
Leviticus 10:6 includes an unusual instruction: “And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled.”
What it means: In ancient times, tearing clothes was a common way to express grief. However, this verse commanded certain people not to mourn openly, essentially saying, “Don’t show grief, just accept the Lord’s punishment.”
You Can’t Eat Animal Fat
Leviticus 3:17 states: “It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.”
What it means: Some scholars interpret this as a rule applying only to animals intended for religious sacrifice, while others believe it was a form of “self-denial and mortification of [our] appetites, even in those things which probably many of [us] would much desire.”, encouraging self-discipline.
Make Sure No One Falls Off Your Roof
Deuteronomy 22:8 gives safety advice for homeowners: “When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.”
What it means: In ancient times, many homes had flat roofs that were used for social gatherings. The law required homeowners to build a railing to prevent accidental falls. Failure to do so could result in punishment under laws related to “Neglect of this law would be punished under the laws on manslaughter and maiming.”.
Don’t Eat Owls
Leviticus 11:13-19 lists birds that should not be eaten, saying: “And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; Every raven after his kind; And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.”
What it means: Scholars suggest owls and similar birds were forbidden because they were “gross feeders, devourers of flesh or offal, and therefore offensive to the taste.”, feeding on dead animals. Others say they were “ravenous and cruel, or such as delight in the night and darkness, or such as feed upon impure things.”, making them symbolically impure.
Don’t Speak the Names of Other Gods
Exodus 23:13 includes a strict instruction: “And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”
What it means: This rule required believers to ignore and never acknowledge other deities. Some scholars interpret it as a command to “never mention them but with detestation.”.
Leave Fallen Grapes for the Poor
Leviticus 19:10 instructs: “And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.”
What it means: This rule ensured that struggling individuals, including poor Israelites and foreigners, could collect leftover grapes after harvest. It specifically stated that if fewer than three grapes remained, they were to be left behind (“If fewer than three grapes are on the vine or ground after harvesting your vineyard, let the poor Israelites or foreigners who can’t own land in Israel have them.”).
Cover Open Pits to Protect Animals
Exodus 21:33-34 warns: “And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein; The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.”
What it means: This law required landowners to secure open pits or wells to prevent animals from falling in and getting injured or drowning.
