Leviticus 18 11

Leviticus 18:11 kjv

The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

Leviticus 18:11 nkjv

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

Leviticus 18:11 niv

"?'Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father's wife, born to your father; she is your sister.

Leviticus 18:11 esv

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife's daughter, brought up in your father's family, since she is your sister.

Leviticus 18:11 nlt

"Do not have sexual relations with your stepsister, the daughter of any of your father's wives, for she is your sister.

Leviticus 18 verses

Leviticus 18 11 Meaning

Leviticus 18:11 establishes a divine prohibition against sexual relations with one's granddaughters, specifically prohibiting both the daughter of one's daughter and the daughter of one's son. The declaration "it is your own nakedness" underscores that such an act is a profound defilement against one's own flesh, lineage, and intrinsic honor, treating these close relatives as extensions of oneself, thus making the violation highly egregious and defiling.

Leviticus 18 11 Context

Leviticus 18 is a pivotal chapter outlining forbidden sexual relations, placed immediately after a section emphasizing Israel's distinctive holiness as God's covenant people. The chapter begins by calling Israel to "do according to My ordinances" and not follow the "customs of the land of Egypt" or the "land of Canaan" (Lev 18:3-5). These laws establish strict moral boundaries for Israel's conduct, particularly in matters of sexual purity and family sanctity. Verse 11 is one specific prohibition within a comprehensive list (Lev 18:6-18) that defines incestuous relationships, ranging from immediate family to extended kin and in-laws. The overarching purpose is to ensure Israel remains set apart for the Lord, preventing the defilement that led to the expulsion of previous inhabitants of the land.

Leviticus 18 11 Word Analysis

• You shall not uncover (לֹא תְגַלֶּה - lo t'galleh): The Hebrew verb galah literally means "to uncover," "to expose," or "to reveal." In the context of Leviticus 18, it is a consistent euphemism for sexual intercourse, implying a wrongful exposure and violation of privacy and intimacy. This phrase underscores a forceful, explicit prohibition against such an act, demonstrating God's strong disapproval.
• the nakedness (עֶרְוָה - ervah): This Hebrew noun signifies "nakedness," "indecency," "shame," or "filth." It refers not merely to physical exposure but carries a strong moral and ethical connotation of disgrace and defilement. When applied to incestuous relationships, it points to the profound shame, dishonor, and moral corruption incurred by violating fundamental familial and social boundaries.
• of your daughter's daughter, or of your son's daughter: These specific phrases explicitly define the prohibited relationship as that with one's granddaughters, encompassing both the maternal and paternal lines. This demonstrates the comprehensiveness of the law, ensuring protection for direct descendants across generations. The emphasis is on blood relation and the extension of immediate family sanctity.
• it is your own nakedness (הִיא עֶרְוָתֶךָ - hih `ervatekha): This critical explanatory clause elevates the prohibition beyond a mere external rule. It suggests that a granddaughter is considered an extension of oneself or one's own direct lineage. Therefore, to defile her is to defile one's own person, one's own bloodline, and to bring profound shame upon oneself and one's family identity. It underscores the shared identity within a family unit and the profound self-defilement of such an act. It signifies a profound spiritual and relational injury that undermines the integrity of one's very being and family heritage.

Leviticus 18 11 Bonus Section

• The extensive list of prohibited sexual relationships in Leviticus 18, including that with granddaughters, underscores God's deep concern for the purity of His people and the sanctity of life. These laws were not merely societal conventions but divine commands establishing the moral foundation for Israel's covenant with God.
• The phrase "it is your own nakedness" echoes similar expressions concerning other prohibited relations within Lev 18 (e.g., Lev 18:7, 9, 10, 12, 13). This repetition emphasizes a concept of extended identity, where close family members are seen as unified. A violation against a direct descendant is thus an egregious act against oneself and one's heritage, defiling the very seed from which one springs.
• While these laws establish boundaries to prevent direct incest, their principles extend to promoting respect, modesty, and proper relational dynamics within all familial and communal structures. The specific detail of prohibitions protected individuals from exploitation and promoted the welfare of the family as the foundational unit of society.

Leviticus 18 11 Commentary

Leviticus 18:11 unequivocally forbids sexual relations with one's granddaughters, both paternal and maternal, on the severe grounds that such an act constitutes a violation of "your own nakedness." This phrase communicates that granddaughters are considered extensions of the grandfather's own person and lineage. Consequently, sexual relations with them defile not just the individual but one's very heritage, reflecting a profound internal moral corruption. This law is integral to God's detailed ethical framework for Israel, distinguishing them sharply from the morally degraded practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations (which often included various forms of incest and ritual sexual immorality). The prohibition ensures the integrity and purity of the family unit, prevents societal corruption, protects the most vulnerable within the family, and upholds the standard of holiness that God demands of His covenant people. It reinforces the universal principle that close familial bonds are sacred and must not be violated, as such actions corrupt both individual and community.