Leviticus 19:19-25

Holiness in Farm Life and between the Sexes. Hybrids are forbidden; a rule which, with its curious extensions, is found in Deuteronomy 22:9 f.; but contrast 2 Samuel 13:29; 1 Kings 10:25; Ezekiel 27:14; mules were highly valued in Palestine. Perhaps some magical heathen practice is the real object of the prohibition. [Mixtures of wool and cotton played a part in magic, and that probably accounts for the prohibition of two kinds of stuff, which is explained in Deuteronomy 22:11 as wool and linen together. In Deuteronomy 22:10 the prohibition of hybrids is absent, and in its place ploughing with ox and ass together is forbidden. A. S. P.] The punishment of the seduction of a betrothed slave (Leviticus 19:20) should follow Leviticus 20:12. In Leviticus 19, no penalties are stated. The woman is not to be put to death, as her master would lose her. With the necessary guilt offering (Leviticus 5:15), no extra fifth is here mentioned. Newly-planted trees are not to be plucked for three years, possibly because the first-fruits must in any case be given to Yahweh, and these are not good enough for such a gift. The circumcision of a tree is its ceremonial stripping. Not till the fifth year can it be safely used for food. [The point is perhaps that during the first three years it is taboo and must be left alone; it may originally have been left for the field-spirits. Notice that animal firstlings were also not used till they were three years old. The Arabs propitiate the jinn with blood when a piece of land is ploughed for the first time. A. S. P.]