Leviticus 18:4-14

4 You are to obey my rulings and laws and live accordingly; I am ADONAI your God.
5 You are to observe my laws and rulings; if a person does them, he will have life through them; I am ADONAI.
6 "'None of you is to approach anyone who is a close relative in order to have sexual relations; I am ADONAI.
7 You are not to have sexual relations with your father, and you are not to have sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother -do not have sexual relations with her.
8 You are not to have sexual relations with your father's wife; that is your father's prerogative.
9 You are not to have sexual relations with your sister, the daughter of your father or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere. Do not have sexual relations with them.
10 You are not to have sexual relations with your son's daughter or with your daughter's daughter. Do not have sexual relations with them, because their sexual disgrace will be your own.
11 You are not to have sexual relations with your father's wife's daughter, born to your father, because she is your sister; do not have sexual relations with her.
12 You are not to have sexual relations with your father's sister, because she is your father's close relative.
13 You are not to have sexual relations with your mother's sister, because she is your mother's close relative.
14 You are not to disgrace your father's brother by having sexual relations with his wife, because she is your aunt.

Leviticus 18:4-14 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.