Leviticus 20:19
17 If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity.
18 If a man lies with a menstruating woman and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from among their people.
You must not have sexual relations with the sister of your mother or your father, for it is exposing one’s own kin; both shall bear their iniquity.
20 If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered the nakedness of his uncle. They will bear their sin; they shall die childless.
21 If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless.
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 the sister of your mother or your father, for it is exposing one’s own kin; both shall bear their iniquity.
- KJV
- And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister, nor of thy father’s sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.
- WEB
- “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister, for he has made his close relative naked. They shall bear their iniquity.
- ASV
- And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother`s sister, nor of thy father`s sister; for he hath made naked his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.
- DARBY
- And the nakedness of thy mother's sister, and of thy father's sister shalt thou not uncover; for he hath laid naked his near relation: they shall bear their iniquity.
- BLB
- And the nakedness of the sister of your mother or the sister of your father you shall not uncover, because he would uncover his close relative. They shall bear their guilt.
- ÅB
- Din mors eller din fars søster skal du ikke ha omgang med, for den som gjør dette, vanærer sin nærmeste slekt; de skal lide for sin misgjerning.
- OTB
- ‘Du skal ikke avdekke nakenheten til din mors søster eller din fars søster, for det ville vanære en nær slektning; begge skal bære sin skyld.
- B1930
- Din mors eller din fars søster skal du ikke ha omgang med, for den som gjør dette, vanærer sin nærmeste slekt; de skal lide for sin misgjerning.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Leviticus 18:6
None of you are to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.
Read in contextExodus 6:20
And Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.
Read in contextLeviticus 18:12–30
You must not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.
Read in context