Leviticus 18 14

Leviticus 18:14 kjv

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.

Leviticus 18:14 nkjv

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

Leviticus 18:14 niv

"?'Do not dishonor your father's brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.

Leviticus 18:14 esv

You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother, that is, you shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt.

Leviticus 18:14 nlt

"Do not violate your uncle, your father's brother, by having sexual relations with his wife, for she is your aunt.

Leviticus 18 verses

Leviticus 18 14 Meaning

Leviticus 18:14 strictly prohibits a person from engaging in sexual relations with their paternal uncle's wife. This specific command is an extension of the broader laws outlined in the chapter, which define the boundaries of sexual relationships within a family and the community, ensuring purity and preventing defilement. The phrase "uncover the nakedness" is a biblical euphemism for intimate sexual relations, and "she is your aunt" emphasizes the close family tie through marriage that makes such an act a grievous transgression.

Leviticus 18 14 Context

Leviticus chapter 18, titled "Unlawful Marriages and Immoralities," is a foundational text delineating God's laws concerning sexual purity for the nation of Israel. It serves as a stark contrast to the depraved practices of the surrounding Egyptian and Canaanite cultures from which Israel had come or into which they were about to enter. The chapter opens with a clear command for Israel not to follow the customs of these lands but to obey God's statutes and judgments.

The listed prohibitions (vv. 7-18) move from immediate family members (parents, siblings) to more distant relations by blood and marriage, progressively defining the boundaries of incest and other sexual transgressions. These laws safeguarded the integrity of family structures, prevented the genetic complications of close-kin marriage, upheld social order, and importantly, reflected Israel's call to be a holy nation distinct from its pagan neighbors. The defilement resulting from these practices would, as the chapter warns, lead to the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants, underscoring the severity of such sins in God's sight. The command regarding the father's brother's wife, though a relation by marriage rather than blood, fits into the protective framework for family integrity, extending respect and honor to the paternal uncle by abstaining from his marital union.

Leviticus 18 14 Word analysis

• You shall not (לֹא תִגָּלֶה – lo tigaleh): The negative particle "lo" emphatically forbids. The verb "tigaleh" (from gala) means "uncover, expose, reveal." It's a legal prohibition of direct, forceful nature.

• uncover the nakedness (עֶרְוָה – ervah): "Ervah" literally means "nakedness," but in this context, and throughout Leviticus 18, it is a well-established euphemism for engaging in sexual intercourse. It signifies not just visual exposure but the act of sexual intimacy itself, implying a defiling and shameful act when done illicitly.

• of your father's brother (אֲחִי אָבִיךָ – achi avikha): This specifically refers to a paternal uncle. The relationship is precise and clear, delineating a specific kin tie. The prohibition extends to actions that would dishonor or compromise this direct relative's household.

• you shall not approach (לֹא תִקְרַב – lo tikrav): Another emphatic negative, "tikrav" (from karav) means "draw near, approach." In contexts related to sexuality (as here), it denotes coming near for sexual purposes or engaging in sexual union. It reinforces the explicit "uncover nakedness."

• his wife (אֵשֶׁת – eshet): This clearly specifies that the prohibition pertains to a married woman, the paternal uncle's legitimate spouse. This highlights the double transgression: violating a marriage bond and engaging in a forbidden family relationship.

• she is your aunt (הִיא דֹדָתְךָ – hi dodatkha): "Dodatkha" (from doda) is the word for "aunt" (father's sister or mother's sister). Here, it extends to the wife of the paternal uncle, establishing a quasi-blood kinship due to her marital relationship to the family, making the offense more severe as it infringes upon a recognized familial bond and relationship status.

• "uncover the nakedness... you shall not approach his wife": These two phrases, while closely linked, carry slightly different nuances that collectively reinforce the prohibition. "Uncovering nakedness" points to the forbidden sexual act itself, emphasizing the exposure and violation of private space and sanctity. "Not approach his wife" emphasizes avoiding the very initiation of a relationship or interaction that could lead to such an act, reinforcing the boundary of non-intercourse and respect for another man's marital covenant. This is not just a command against a specific sexual act but also against initiating contact with the intention of breaking an existing bond, upholding marital fidelity and family structure. The underlying principle is respect for the established family order and the unique position of relatives, both by blood and marriage.

Leviticus 18 14 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "father's brother's wife" is significant as it demonstrates how kinship rules extend beyond direct bloodlines to include relationships formed through marriage that effectively bring individuals into the "family" unit. This verse, along with others in Leviticus 18, shows the Bible's concern for what some scholars refer to as "affinity prohibitions," where the family connections established through marriage (like in-laws) are afforded protections similar to blood relations. This comprehensive approach to defining forbidden relationships aimed to prevent confusion of lineage, uphold marital sanctity, and avoid the complex social difficulties that arise from overlapping family and sexual boundaries. It underscores a broader theological principle that holiness touches all aspects of life, including intimate relations and family dynamics.

Leviticus 18 14 Commentary

Leviticus 18:14 unequivocally forbids sexual relations with a paternal uncle's wife, marking this relationship as illicit. This commandment is not arbitrary but deeply rooted in the moral and social fabric of ancient Israel, emphasizing purity, sanctity, and the order of family relations established by God. The law ensures that Israel maintains distinct holiness, setting them apart from surrounding nations where such close relations might have been permissible. It upholds the integrity of existing marriages and prevents relational confusion within extended family structures. This law functions to define societal boundaries, preserving the unique status of the paternal uncle as a respected elder and protecting the marital covenant, which God intends to be pure and exclusive. Breaking this commandment would not only be a personal defilement but an offense against the familial structure and God's law for communal holiness, threatening the community's well-being and their covenant relationship with God.