Think the Bible is all about love and forgiveness? Think again. Buried in the Old Testament are some jaw-dropping rules that would land you in jail if you tried following them today. From ordering hand amputations to forcing women to drink magic dirt water, these ancient laws show just how far society has come (or how far we still need to go). Whether you’re religious or just love weird history, these bizarre commandments will make you gasp. Let’s dive into the most outrageous biblical laws that modern believers definitely don’t follow anymore – and why some of these rules existed in the first place.
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 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 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.