Leviticus 18:12

12 "'You must not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative.

Leviticus 18:12 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 18:12

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister,
&c.] His aunt by his father's side, an instance of which we have in Amram, ( Exodus 6:20 ) ; and Maimonides says ^F9, an aunt was forbidden whether she was a father's sister in lawful wedlock or in fornication: she [is] thy father's near kinswoman;
or, the rest of thy father ^F11; the residue of his flesh, one of the same flesh and blood with him; wherefore, as he could not marry her himself, so his son likewise was too near akin to enter into such a relation with her.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F9 Hilchot Issure Biah, c. 2. sect. 5.
F11 (Kyba rav) "reliquiarum patris tui", Tigurine version.

Leviticus 18:12 In-Context

10 "'You must not have sexual relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; that would bring shame on you.

11 "'If your father and his wife have a daughter, she is your sister. You must not have sexual relations with her.

12 "'You must not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative.

13 You must not have sexual relations with your mother's sister; she is your mother's close relative.

14 You must not have sexual relations with the wife of your father's brother, because this would shame him. She is your aunt.