Biblical Views on Anal Sex and Relationships
The Bible does not explicitly mention anal sex. However, biblical texts and their interpretations offer insights into sexual ethics that can be applied to the topic. The overarching biblical perspective on sexuality emphasizes its role within the covenant of marriage and for procreation, while condemning sexual acts outside of these boundaries [2, 3, 8].
The Old Testament contains prohibitions against certain sexual acts, particularly those deemed "abominations." Leviticus 18:22 states, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." While this verse specifically addresses male homosexual relations, some interpretations, such as that of Rabbi Hannanel cited by Abraham Ibn Ezra, suggest that the prohibition "Thou shalt not lie" could encompass anal intercourse, even if the primary context is same-sex relations [7]. Rashi, a prominent Jewish commentator, interprets "committed abomination" in Ezekiel 18:12 as referring to homosexual relations [9]. The concept of the "confined womb" in Proverbs 30:16 is interpreted by Rashi as referring to sexual intercourse, highlighting the procreative aspect often associated with biblical sexuality [3].
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul addresses sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6:13, stating, "the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body" [1]. This passage, along with others, prohibits all sexual involvement outside of marriage [8]. The Tyndale House commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:5 notes that while sexual immorality was often tolerated in the Mediterranean world, Jewish and Christian authors consistently prohibited extramarital sexual activity [8]. The Bible frequently uses marriage as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people, with adultery symbolizing spiritual unfaithfulness [2, 4, 5]. This symbolic framework underscores the sanctity and specific purpose of sexual union within a committed relationship.
The emphasis on the marital bond is further highlighted in passages that speak to the interdependence of sexes. For instance, the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:11 notes that "neither sex is insulated and independent of the other in the Christian life," and that "the man and the woman together (for neither can be dispensed with) realize the ideal of redeemed humanity represented by the bride, the Church" [6]. This perspective suggests a complementary union within marriage.
While the Bible does not directly address anal sex, the consistent condemnation of sexual acts outside of marriage and the emphasis on the procreative and unitive aspects of sexual intercourse within marriage provide a framework for understanding biblical sexual ethics. The absence of explicit permission for non-procreative sexual acts, coupled with the strong emphasis on the natural order of creation and the sanctity of the marital bed, leads many interpreters to view anal sex as outside the intended scope of biblical sexual expression.
Sources
- 1 Corinthians ““Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods,” but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. -- 1 Corinthians 6:13”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 30:16: the confined womb Sexual intercourse.”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 17:2: 17:2 Adultery with her is a biblical image for serving other gods (see, e.g., Exod 34:12-16; Judg 2:17; Hos 2). • drunk by . . . her immorality: Drunkenness in Scripture often depicts nations that indulge in wanton and immoral behavior (see Rev 18:3, 9; Jer 25:27; 51:7; Lam 4:21; Ezek 23:33).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:11: Yet neither sex is insulated and independent of the other in the Christian life [ALFORD]. The one needs the other in the sexual relation; and in respect to Christ ("in the Lord"), the man and the woman together (for neither can be dispensed with) realize the ideal of redeemed humanity represented by the bride, the Church.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 18:22: WITH MANKIND. Since we find, Behold, I lay yester-night with my father (Gen. 19:34), we see that the prohibition 87 Thou shalt not lie . applies to the one who lay and the one who is lain with. 88 For Lot’s daughter was lain with and yet she said, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father . Rabbi Hannanel, of blessed memory, says that there are those in whose body a female genitalia is newly formed. 89 According to Rabbi Hannanel our verse speaks of anal intercourse and vaginal intercourse with a man who has an artificial vagina. However, this is impossible ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:5: 4:5 Willful ignorance of God and his ways is the root of moral corruption (Rom 1:18-32; Eph 4:17-18). • lustful passion: Sexual immorality was often tolerated in the Mediterranean world. Prostitution was allowed, but sexual relations with another man’s wife were prohibited. Roman marriage customs barred women, but not men, from extramarital affairs. By contrast, Jewish and Christian authors alike prohibited all sexual involvement outside of marriage (Acts 15:20; 1 Cor 6:12-20; Col 3:5-6).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Ezekiel 18:12: committed abomination Homosexual relations.”