Leviticus 18:1-8

1 The LORD said to Moshe,

2 "Speak to the children of Yisra'el, and say to them, 'I am the LORD your God.

3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Mitzrayim, where you lived: and you shall not do as they do in the land of Kana`an, where I am bringing you; neither shall you walk in their statutes.

4 You shall do my ordinances, and you shall keep my statutes, and walk in them: I am the LORD your God.

5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances; which if a man does, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

6 "'None of you shall approach anyone who are his close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.

7 "'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

8 "'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife: it is your father's nakedness.

Leviticus 18:1-8 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.