Leviticus 18:6-18

6 “ ‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.
7 “ ‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
8 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.
9 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
10 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.
11 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.
12 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.
13 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.
14 “ ‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
15 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.
16 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
17 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
18 “ ‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.

Leviticus 18:6-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 18

In this chapter the Israelites are directed in general not to imitate the customs and practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites, but to keep the ordinances, statutes, and judgments of the Lord, Le 18:1-5; and they are instructed particularly to avoid incestuous marriages, Le 18:6-18; carnal copulation with a menstruous woman, Le 18:19; adultery, Le 18:20; letting any of their seed pass through the fire to Molech, Le 18:21; sodomy, Le 18:22; and bestiality, Le 18:23; and they are deterred from these things by observing to them the pollution and destruction which they brought on the inhabitants of Canaan, and would bring the same on them should they commit them, Le 18:24-30.

Cross References 14

  • 1. ver 8; Leviticus 20:11; Deuteronomy 27:20
  • 2. Ezekiel 22:10
  • 3. 1 Corinthians 5:1
  • 4. Genesis 35:22; Leviticus 20:11; Deuteronomy 22:30; Deuteronomy 27:20
  • 5. ver 11; Leviticus 20:17; Deuteronomy 27:22
  • 6. Leviticus 20:17; Deuteronomy 27:22; 2 Samuel 13:13; Ezekiel 22:11
  • 7. ver 13; Leviticus 20:19
  • 8. S ver 12,14; Leviticus 20:20
  • 9. S ver 13; Leviticus 20:20
  • 10. S Genesis 11:31; S Genesis 38:16; Leviticus 20:12
  • 11. Ezekiel 22:11
  • 12. Leviticus 20:21; Matthew 14:4; Mark 6:18
  • 13. Leviticus 20:14; Deuteronomy 27:23
  • 14. S Genesis 30:1
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