Leviticus 18:12

12 You must not expose the nakedness of 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Leviticus 18:12 In-Context

10 [As for] the nakedness of your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, you must not expose their nakedness, because they [are] your nakedness.

11 [As for] the nakedness of the daughter of your father's wife, she [is] your sister, a relative of your father; you must not expose her nakedness.

12 You must not expose the nakedness of your father's sister; she [is] {your father's close relative}.

13 You must not expose the nakedness of your mother's sister, because she [is] {your mother's close relative}.

14 You must not expose the nakedness of your father's brother; you must not {have sex with} his wife--she [is] your aunt.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "the flesh of your father"