Leviticus 18:4-14

4 You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God.

5 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.

6 'None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness: I am the Lord.

7 The nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother you shall not uncover. She is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness.

8 The nakedness of your father's wife you shall not uncover; it is your father's nakedness.

9 The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover.

10 The nakedness of your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, their nakedness you shall not uncover; for theirs is your own nakedness.

11 The nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, begotten by your father--she is your sister--you shall not uncover her nakedness.

12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister; she is near of kin to your father.

13 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, for she is near of kin to your mother.

14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother. You shall not approach his wife; 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.