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The Bible is a fascinating read. Its ancient collection of texts cover a wide variety of topics, and lays down quite a few rules God-fearing people ought to follow. We've previously mentioned surprising things forbidden by the Bible. But there are quite a few directives in the Good Book you might not be aware of. Curious to learn more?
Click on and get to know some of the Bible's weirdest rules.
According to the Old Testament, if a burglar breaks into a house at night then the homeowner can use lethal force. However if the same offense is committed during the day, the incumbent is forbidden to draw blood in self-defense.
Exodus 22:2-3 reads: "If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed."
The Bible has a few specific fashion directives, including this one. The exact passage from Leviticus 19:19 reads: "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 woolen come upon thee."
The reason for this particular rule has long been debated. But some scholars believe it's because such fabrics were reserved only for priests. Others believe the fabric combo could somehow entice evil forces.
In the Book of Leviticus, Yahweh gives specific instructions to Moses from God not to sit where a menstruating woman has sat. Apparently a female on her period was believed to be unclean.
Book of Leviticus 15:19-21 reads: "And if a woman has 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 evening. And everything that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: everything 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 evening."
Why would you anyway? Well, the Bible does mention it. The interpretations vary, with some scholars believing the reason was to avoid using the milk "as a charm for rendering fields and orchards more productive."
Exodus 23:19 reads: "The first of the firstfruits 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."
To worship or even mention the names of other gods is a no-no. The second book of the Bible is pretty clear about this one.
Exodus 23:13 reads: "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."
So, how do you know a woman has been unfaithful to her husband? Have her drink cursed (dirty) holy water, of course. The Book of Numbers 5:11-31 goes into detail regarding this rule.
The Bible reads: "If a man's wife goes astray 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 bitter water that brings a curse not harm you" (in case she wasn't unfaithful) and "may this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells or your womb miscarries," (if her infidelity is proven).
As bizarre as this directive sounds, it does makes sense to have a solid and safe roof, right? Back in the day, most roofs were flat so a railing was fitted as a safety precaution to stop people falling off them.
Deuteronomy 22:8 reads: "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."
The Book of Leviticus is quite clear about not eating certain bird species, including vultures, hawks, herons, eagles, bats, and owls. After all, some of these creatures can carry diseases.
Leviticus 11:13-19 reads: "And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination. And the owl, and the nighthawk, 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 eagle, And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat."
According to the Bible, if an enslaved person chooses not to be free, the master must pierce the slave's ear. This would mark them as permanently in service.
Exodus 21:5-6 reads: "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 forever."
Hitting below the belt is not allowed in boxing and it turns out, the Bible also condemns it. When a man is fighting another man, no wife is allowed to grab her husband's enemy's private parts... The punishment? They get their hands chopped off.
Deuteronomy 25:11-12 reads: "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."
The Bible warns people not to leave holes open, as animals can fall into them. It's safe to say that covering any pit is good advice.
Exodus 21:33-34 reads: "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."
Tearing up clothes was a sign of grieving and mourning in biblical times, but Moses imparted some advice regarding this action.
Leviticus 10:6 reads: "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."
The Bible makes reference to feeding the poor in this passage—Leviticus 19:10: "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."
The Bible is pretty clear about these dietary recommendations. The interpretations about this passage, however, vary. Some say it relates to animals intended to be sacrificed, while others link it to the mortification of our appetites.
Leviticus 3:17 reads: "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood."
There are two main interpretations surrounding this passage of the Bible. One is regarding superstitious practices about seed planting. The other, more in line with good farming practice, is not to mix seeds.
Leviticus 19:19 reads: "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 woolen come upon thee."
Sources: (Ranker) (Next Luxury) (BibleGateway) (Bible Hub)
From self-defense to diet: Rules you didn't know are in the Bible
These ancient directives embrace anything from self-defense to diet
LIFESTYLE Religion
The Bible is a fascinating read. Its ancient collection of texts cover a wide variety of topics, and lays down quite a few rules God-fearing people ought to follow. We've previously mentioned surprising things forbidden by the Bible. But there are quite a few directives in the Good Book you might not be aware of. Curious to learn more?
Click on and get to know some of the Bible's weirdest rules.