You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s relative.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 18:12
What does Leviticus 18:12 mean?
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Leviticus 18:12
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The text emphasizes that your father's sister is "your father's near kinswoman" – literally, "the rest of your father's flesh." This highlights that the prohibition isn't just about a social relationship, but about the profound physical and familial connection that makes such intimacy deeply incestuous, mirroring the closeness between a father and his own siblings.
You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s relative.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse fits within a larger section of Leviticus detailing forbidden sexual relationships, all designed to set Israel apart from the practices of surrounding nations. Directly before and after this prohibition are rules about other close family members, creating a clear list of those individuals one must not have sexual relations with. The explanation, that she is "your father's relative," emphasizes the blood connection and the reason for the prohibition—maintaining the sanctity of familial ties.
Why would God need to explicitly forbid relationships that seem so obvious today? This verse targets a specific relational boundary, and understanding it reveals God's heart for the sanctity of family.
This commandment in Leviticus 18 is part of a larger section outlining sexual purity within the community of Israel. The phrase "uncover the nakedness of" is a euphemism for having sexual relations with someone.
Defining the Boundary
Leviticus 18:12 specifically prohibits sexual relations with one's "father's sister" – their paternal aunt. The reason given is crucial: "she is your father’s near kinswoman." This emphasizes the deep blood tie and the inherent family relationship. God was establishing clear lines to prevent the breakdown of familial structures and to protect the vulnerable within the family unit.
The "Why" Behind the Law
These laws weren't arbitrary rules. They were designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation, reflecting God's own character. By forbidding incestuous relationships, God was preserving the integrity of the family, ensuring proper inheritance lines, and protecting against the exploitation and abuse that can occur when boundaries within a family are blurred.
Wait, didn't Moses' own parents marry his aunt? How does that fit with this command?
The inclusion of the paternal aunt in this list of forbidden relationships has led to questions, especially when considering the lineage of Moses himself. Exodus 6:20 tells us that Amram, Moses' father, married Jochebed, who was his father's sister.
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A Transitional or Cultural Context?
Some scholars suggest that while this union was part of Israel's history, it might have occurred during a time before this specific law was given, or during a period where such unions were culturally permissible, though still potentially problematic. The commentaries note that the prohibition is clear in Leviticus, indicating a later, definitive stance by God.
God's Revealed Will Prevails
What's important is that Leviticus 18 lays down God's revealed will for His people. When God speaks His commands clearly, as He does here, those commands become the standard for His people moving forward. The specific historical examples of Amram and Jochebed don't override the clear instruction given here for the community of Israel to maintain strict purity regarding familial relationships.
Understand the original words
she'er · Hebrew Noun
Referring to a close blood relative, often used in legal contexts to define individuals with whom marriage or sexual relations are prohibited due to consanguinity. It highlights the sanctity of the family unit.
This passage mentions Amram marrying Jochebed, who was his father's sister, providing a notable exception or historical context to the prohibition found in Leviticus.
Leviticus 20:19This verse reiterates the prohibition against uncovering the nakedness of an aunt, specifying the severe consequence of being cut off from their people, emphasizing the seriousness of the law.
Ezekiel 22:11This prophetic passage lists incestuous relationships, including with a father's wife and daughter-in-law, as abominations that defiled the land, reflecting a similar concern for sexual purity found in Leviticus.
1 Corinthians 5:1The New Testament echoes the seriousness of incest, with Paul rebuking the Corinthian church for tolerating such a relationship, demonstrating that the principle of sexual purity extends beyond the Old Covenant laws.
pooleLeviticus 18:12: "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman."
Thy aunt by the father’s side, as the next verse speaks of the aunt by the mother’s side. If Amram’s example be alleged to the contrary, See Poole "Exodus 6:20" . Thy father’s near kinswoman, Heb. thy father’s flesh , a member and product of the same flesh from which thy father came.
barnesLeviticus 18:12: "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman."
Thy father's sister - The instance of Amram and Jochebed Exodus 6:20 seems to show that marriage with an aunt was not considered wrong by the Israelites when they were in Egypt.
The text emphasizes that your father's sister is "your father's near kinswoman" – literally, "the rest of your father's flesh." This highlights that the prohibition isn't just about a social relationship, but about the profound physical and familial connection that makes such intimacy deeply incestuous, mirroring the closeness between a father and his own siblings.
This verse fits within a larger section of Leviticus detailing forbidden sexual relationships, all designed to set Israel apart from the practices of surrounding nations. Directly before and after this prohibition are rules about other close family members, creating a clear list of those individuals one must not have sexual relations with. The explanation, that she is "your father's relative," emphasizes the blood connection and the reason for the prohibition—maintaining the sanctity of familial ties.
This verse fits within a larger section of Leviticus detailing forbidden sexual relationships, all designed to set Israel apart from the practices of surrounding nations. Directly before and after this prohibition are rules about other close family members, creating a clear list of those individuals one must not have sexual relations with. The explanation, that she is "your father's relative," emphasizes the blood connection and the reason for the prohibition—maintaining the sanctity of familial ties.
"You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s relative." — The text emphasizes that your father's sister is "your father's near kinswoman" – literally, "the rest of your father's flesh." This highlights that the prohibition isn't just about a social relation…
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Last reviewed October 2026