Leviticus 18:12-22

12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister: she is your father's near kinswoman.

13 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister: for she is your mother's near kinswoman.

14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother, you shall not approach to his wife: she is your aunt.

15 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law: she is your son's wife; you shall not uncover her nakedness.

16 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife: it is your brother's nakedness.

17 You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; you shall not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.

18 You shall not take a wife to her sister, to be a rival [to her], to uncover her nakedness, besides the other in her lifetime.

19 You shall not approach to a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

20 You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor's wife, to defile yourself with her.

21 You shall not give any of your seed to make them pass through [the fire] to Molech; neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am Yahweh.

22 You shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Leviticus 18:12-22 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.