Leviticus 18 13

Leviticus 18:13 kjv

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.

Leviticus 18:13 nkjv

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

Leviticus 18:13 niv

"?'Do not have sexual relations with your mother's sister, because she is your mother's close relative.

Leviticus 18:13 esv

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, for she is your mother's relative.

Leviticus 18:13 nlt

"Do not have sexual relations with your mother's sister, for she is your mother's close relative.

Leviticus 18 verses

Leviticus 18 13 Meaning

Leviticus 18:13 forbids a man from engaging in sexual relations with his maternal aunt, his mother's sister. This prohibition is explicitly justified by the fact that she is considered a near blood relative to his mother, thus falling within the forbidden degrees of kinship. It reinforces the sacred boundaries God established for sexual purity and family order within Israel.

Leviticus 18 13 Context

Leviticus chapter 18, often referred to as the "Holiness Code," delineates specific sexual prohibitions intended to maintain moral purity within the Israelite community. These laws are presented immediately after the instructions for sacrifices and priestly conduct, emphasizing that ethical and moral holiness is just as crucial as ritual holiness. The chapter explicitly warns Israel not to follow the defiling customs of Egypt, from which they came, nor the corrupt practices of the Canaanites, into whose land they were going. Each verse lists a prohibited sexual relationship, contributing to a comprehensive framework designed to establish a clear moral distinction for God's covenant people. The rationale often provided, as in verse 13, emphasizes the close familial relationship, indicating that such unions would violate the inherent order of family, society, and God's design. This particular verse fits into the consanguineous prohibitions, focusing on relationships by blood, specifically the maternal aunt, reinforcing boundaries essential for the integrity and spiritual health of the family unit.

Leviticus 18 13 Word analysis

• Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness

  • Hebrew: lo' tigleh 'ervat (לֹא תְגַלֶּה עֶרְוַת)
  • lo' (לֹא): A strong negative particle, meaning "not." It signifies an absolute prohibition.
  • tigleh (תְגַלֶּה): From the root galah (גָּלָה), meaning "to uncover," "to reveal," "to expose." In the context of "nakedness," it is a consistent biblical euphemism for engaging in sexual intercourse. This choice of word elevates the act beyond mere physical uncovering to an act of moral violation and shame.
  • 'ervat (עֶרְוַת): From the root 'ervah (עֶרְוָה), meaning "nakedness," "shame," "indecency," "private parts." It refers to the physical state of being unclothed, but in this construct, it carries the strong connotation of the shame and sin associated with prohibited sexual acts.
  • Significance: This phrase is a common legal formula in Leviticus 18 and 20, unequivocally prohibiting sexual intercourse with the named individual. It signifies defilement and spiritual impurity, contrasting sharply with the divine call to holiness. The repeated formula underscores the seriousness and pervasive nature of these moral boundaries.

• of thy mother's sister

  • Hebrew: 'ahot 'immeḵa (אֲחוֹת אִמְּךָ)
  • 'ahot (אָחוֹת): "Sister." Refers to a female sibling.
  • 'immeḵa (אִמְּךָ): "Your mother."
  • Significance: This clearly specifies the relationship as a maternal aunt. In ancient Near Eastern societies, where intermarriage with relatives was common in various forms, this particular prohibition marked a boundary distinct from prevailing customs. It indicates that the degree of kinship by bloodline through the mother is too close for a legitimate sexual union or marriage.

• she is thy mother's near kinswoman

  • Hebrew: kî še'ēr 'immekā hî' (כִּי שְׁאֵר אִמְּךָ הִיא)
  • kî (כִּי): A conjunction meaning "for," "because," "indeed," or "surely." It introduces the reason or justification for the prohibition.
  • še'ēr (שְׁאֵר): This crucial term means "flesh," "kinsman," "blood relation," or "near of kin." It refers to biological familial closeness, emphasizing a shared substance of life.
  • 'immekā (אִמְּךָ): "Your mother."
  • hî' (הִיא): "She." A feminine pronoun, completing the clause.
  • Significance: This phrase provides the fundamental theological and social rationale for the prohibition. It emphasizes that a maternal aunt is not just a relative, but literally "flesh of your mother," thus an extension of your own immediate familial bloodline. This established degree of shared blood (consanguinity) forms the inviolable barrier for marriage or sexual relations. This divine demarcation maintains clear family roles, prevents genetic issues (though not the stated reason, a benefit), and guards against familial chaos.

Leviticus 18 13 Bonus section

The specific focus on "your mother's sister" (maternal aunt) in Lev 18:13 and "your father's sister" (paternal aunt) in Lev 18:12 highlights a broader principle: the law consistently restricts unions with those closely related by consanguinity (blood ties), whether through the paternal or maternal line. This distinguishes the Israelite legal code from certain customs in surrounding nations that might have permitted marriage with an aunt (e.g., in ancient Egypt, pharaohs sometimes married their sisters or aunts). This also reinforces the idea of God setting Israel apart not only in worship but also in societal norms. The repeated "I am the LORD" at the end of many sections in Leviticus 18 serves as a divine authentication for these laws, establishing them as God's decrees, not merely cultural preferences or human legislation.

Leviticus 18 13 Commentary

Leviticus 18:13, like the other prohibitions in the chapter, is a foundational element of the Mosaic Law defining acceptable sexual behavior for God's covenant people. The command against "uncovering the nakedness" of one's maternal aunt clearly establishes this as an incestuous union, marking it as a practice antithetical to the holy and ordered community God intended for Israel. The accompanying justification, "she is thy mother's near kinswoman," provides a critical insight into the basis for these laws: relationships rooted in a shared bloodline are to remain distinct and undefiled in their specific roles. This isn't just about preventing biological defects, but primarily about establishing a clear social and moral order that reflected God's character. By forbidding such unions, God protected the integrity of family structure, preventing confusion of roles (e.g., an aunt becoming a wife and stepmother) and maintaining familial purity. The call to holiness in sexual matters in the Old Testament resonates with New Testament teachings on sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage (Heb 13:4, 1 Cor 6:18), emphasizing that a believer's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. These ancient prohibitions continue to teach that God's people are called to be morally distinct, reflecting His holiness in all aspects of life, including the most intimate.