Leviticus 18:8
6 None of you are to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.
7 You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.
You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
9 You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
10 You must not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, for that would shame your family.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
- KJV
- The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.
- WEB
- “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness.
- ASV
- The nakedness of thy father`s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father`s nakedness.
- DARBY
- The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.
- BLB
- The nakedness of the wife of your father you shall not uncover; it [is] the nakedness of your father.
- ÅB
- Din stedmor skal du ikke ha omgang med; hun er din fars hustru.
- OTB
- Du skal ikke kle av din fars kone, det er som om du gjør din far naken.
- B1930
- Din stedmor skal du ikke ha omgang med; hun er din fars hustru.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Leviticus 20:11
If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
Read in context1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 22:30
A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 27:20
‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Read in contextAmos 2:7
They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.
Read in contextGenesis 49:4
Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.
Read in contextGenesis 35:22
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:
Read in context2 Samuel 16:21–22
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”
Read in context