Leviticus 18 10

Leviticus 18:10 kjv

The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness.

Leviticus 18:10 nkjv

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

Leviticus 18:10 niv

"?'Do not have sexual relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; that would dishonor you.

Leviticus 18:10 esv

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son's daughter or of your daughter's daughter, for their nakedness is your own nakedness.

Leviticus 18:10 nlt

"Do not have sexual relations with your granddaughter, whether she is your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, for this would violate yourself.

Leviticus 18 verses

Leviticus 18 10 Meaning

Leviticus 18:10 prohibits a man from having sexual relations with his granddaughter, whether she is the daughter of his son or the daughter of his daughter. The phrase "uncovering her nakedness" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse. The justification provided is that "their nakedness is your own nakedness," emphasizing the close blood relationship and thus highlighting the profound moral and spiritual transgression such an act would constitute, equating it to a violation of oneself or one's direct lineage. This command underscores God's standard for sexual purity and the sanctity of family relationships, setting boundaries that preserve order and prevent defilement within the community.

Leviticus 18 10 Context

Leviticus chapter 18 outlines a comprehensive set of laws pertaining to forbidden sexual relationships. These regulations begin with a stern command for the Israelites to distinguish themselves from the practices of the surrounding nations, Egypt and Canaan, whose defiling customs they were explicitly forbidden to imitate. The chapter then lists a series of incestuous relations, ranging from immediate family members like parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren (as in verse 10), to extended family members and in-laws. Beyond incest, it also prohibits adultery, sexual acts during a woman's menstrual period, homosexual acts, and bestiality. The overall thrust of the chapter is to establish a clear moral framework for God's holy people, warning that violations of these statutes defile both the individual and the land itself, leading to expulsion from the promised land, as was the fate of the Canaanites.

Leviticus 18 10 Word analysis

• The nakedness of (וְעֶרְוַת ve-'ervat)
  • "Nakedness" (ervah, עֶרְוָה): This Hebrew term often refers to the private parts of the body, but in a broader sense within these chapters, it signifies sexual shame, disgrace, or indecency. "Uncovering nakedness" (גלה ערוה) is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse, specifically illicit or forbidden sexual intercourse, which inherently brings dishonor or exposure to shame. The use of this term emphasizes the inherent defilement and public disgrace associated with the forbidden act.
• your son's daughter, or of your daughter's daughter (בַת בִּנְךָ֙ אֽוֹ־בַ֣ת בִּתֶּ֔ךָ bat binkha 'o-vat bitteka)
  • "Your son's daughter" (bat binkha): Refers to a paternal granddaughter. This specifies the lineage through a son.
  • "Your daughter's daughter" (bat bitteka): Refers to a maternal granddaughter. This specifies the lineage through a daughter.
  • The inclusion of both paternal and maternal lines ensures a comprehensive prohibition, leaving no ambiguity for a man regarding his direct descendants two generations down.
• you shall not uncover; (לֹ֣א תְגַלֶּ֔ה lo' tegalleh)
  • "You shall not uncover": This is a direct, emphatic prohibition using the negative particle "lo'" with the imperfect tense of the verb "galah" (גלה), meaning "to uncover" or "to reveal." In this specific context, the Hiphil form implies causing exposure for sexual purposes, thus, "to have sexual intercourse with." It’s an absolute command.
• for their nakedness is your own nakedness. (כִּ֥י עֶרְוָתְךָ֖ הִֽיא׃ ki 'ervatkha hi)
  • "For" (ki, כִּי): Introduces the reason or justification for the prohibition.
  • "Their nakedness is your own nakedness": This phrase highlights the profound familial intimacy and shared biological connection. It conveys that such a sexual act would be akin to defiling one's own immediate flesh and blood, a violation of one's intrinsic being and extended self. This emphasizes the deep transgression against natural order, family sanctity, and divine will. It suggests that relations with direct descendants are fundamentally an abomination because they are seen as a form of self-violation due to the closeness of kinship, shattering the moral and relational boundaries intended by God.

Leviticus 18 10 Bonus section

• The string of specific incest prohibitions in Leviticus 18 (from parent to granddaughter to aunt/uncle to sister-in-law) demonstrates the thoroughness of God's Law in setting clear moral and social boundaries for family life.
• The emphasis on "nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, ervah) being "your own nakedness" establishes a principle where extreme kinship renders a sexual relationship an unconscionable act, suggesting that a transgression against such a close relative is an abuse of self or one's deepest lineage. This theological concept extends beyond simple procreative concerns or genetic considerations, touching on the sanctity of human identity and relationships as designed by the Creator.
• Such detailed laws aimed to prevent moral decay that could lead to genetic disorders in future generations, preserve family purity, define clear lines of familial authority, and distinguish God's people from the idolatrous and promiscuous cultures of the time. The severity of the penalty (often "cut off from their people" or even death in Leviticus 20 for similar violations) for these acts highlights their gravity in the divine economy.

Leviticus 18 10 Commentary

Leviticus 18:10 unequivocally forbids a man from engaging in sexual relations with his granddaughter. This prohibition is part of a larger code within the Holiness Legislation, designed to distinguish Israel from the corrupt moral practices of the nations surrounding them. The language of "uncovering nakedness" serves as a consistent euphemism throughout the chapter for sexual intercourse, specifically emphasizing the shame and violation associated with forbidden acts. The rationale, "for their nakedness is your own nakedness," elevates the transgression beyond a simple physical act; it becomes an affront to the fundamental unity and sanctity of the immediate family and lineage. This familial proximity implies that these individuals are an extension of oneself, making sexual union with them a grievous violation of natural and divine order, contributing to the defilement of the individual, the family, and ultimately, the land itself. The detailed enumeration of these prohibitions was critical for Israel's moral and spiritual health, providing clear boundaries for their societal purity and their relationship with a holy God.