Leviticus 18:5-15

5 Obey my laws and rules; a person who obeys them will live because of them. I am the Lord.

6 "'You must never have sexual relations with your close relatives. I am the Lord.

7 "'You must not shame your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have sexual relations with her.

8 You must not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that would shame your father.

9 "'You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either the daughter of your father or your mother. It doesn't matter if she was born in your house or somewhere else.

10 "'You must not have sexual relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; that would bring shame on you.

11 "'If your father and his wife have a daughter, she is your sister. You must not have sexual relations with her.

12 "'You must not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative.

13 You must not have sexual relations with your mother's sister; she is your mother's close relative.

14 You must not have sexual relations with the wife of your father's brother, because this would shame him. She is your aunt.

15 "'You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law; she is your son's wife. Do not have sexual relations with her.

Leviticus 18:5-15 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.