“None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 18:6
What does Leviticus 18:6 mean?
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Leviticus 18:6
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The phrase "flesh of his flesh" isn't just a poetic way to say "relative"; it emphasizes an almost inseparable physical connection. This highlights that the prohibition is about respecting the boundaries of the very families God designed for intimacy and protection, not just following arbitrary rules.
“None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse serves as a sweeping, foundational prohibition within a larger section of Leviticus detailing sexual purity laws. It introduces a series of specific prohibitions against incest that follow, drawing a clear line against sexual relations with close relatives, establishing this as a matter of God's holiness and the land's purity. The phrasing emphasizes that this is not just about avoiding specific acts but about a posture of non-approach to anyone within the "rest of his flesh," setting the stage for the detailed list of forbidden relationships that unpacks this core principle.
Ever wonder why God draws such firm lines around family relationships? Leviticus 18 dives deep into this, starting with a foundational command.
The Heart of the Matter: "Near of Kin"
God’s command here isn’t just about rules; it’s about protecting the deepest bonds of humanity. The phrase translated as “near of kin” literally means “the remainder of his flesh” or “flesh of his flesh.” This isn't just about blood relation; it’s about the intimate tapestry of family where loyalty, protection, and love are meant to flourish.
Why These Boundaries?
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The Bible uses a striking phrase to describe prohibited sexual acts. What does it really mean, and why is it so significant?
Uncovering What Should Be Covered
The phrase "to uncover nakedness" is a profound euphemism used throughout Leviticus to denote sexual intercourse, particularly when it is forbidden. It’s a vivid image pointing to the exposure of what is meant to be kept private and sacred.
Beyond a Physical Act:
Every command in Scripture comes with an ultimate source. Who is speaking in Leviticus 18, and why does that matter?
"I am the LORD": The Divine Mandate
The repeated declaration, "I am the LORD" (or "I am Yahweh"), at the end of this verse is not merely a signature; it's the bedrock of authority for all these commands.
The Weight of His Name:
Understand the original words
qarab · Hebrew Verb
In a biblical context, to 'approach' a relative in this manner is a euphemism for engaging in sexual relations or intimacy. It signifies a breach of the sanctity and boundaries established for family relationships.
ervah · Hebrew Noun
An idiom referring to sexual intercourse or illicit sexual intimacy. It emphasizes the exposure of that which is meant to be private and protected within the covenant of marriage.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses. It signifies His holiness, authority, and the claim He has upon His people to live according to His law.
she'er basar · Hebrew Noun phrase
A reference to biological or legal kin. Biblical law places strict prohibitions on sexual relations within these familial bonds to preserve the sanctity of the family unit as established by God.
This verse speaks of a man leaving his parents to be united with his wife, establishing the foundational, exclusive marital bond that Leviticus 18:6 protects by prohibiting unions outside this boundary.
Exodus 20:14This verse, one of the Ten Commandments, directly prohibits adultery, which encompasses the illicit sexual relations forbidden by Leviticus 18:6 within close family ties.
1 Corinthians 5:1This New Testament passage condemns a specific instance of incest mentioned in Leviticus, demonstrating that these prohibitions were understood to carry moral weight beyond the Mosaic Law.
Romans 1:26-27These verses describe people abandoning natural relations for unnatural desires, echoing the divine concern in Leviticus 18:6 for maintaining the sanctity of natural familial relationships.
bensonLeviticus 18:6: "None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD."
Leviticus 18:6 . The first of these prohibitions is against all improper and incestuous marriages, a thing very common among the Canaanitish nations and in Egypt, even to the last degree of unnatural mixtures. Diodorus Siculus relates, that it was permitted by law in the latter country, contrary to the custom of other nations, that a man might marry his own sister. None of…
ellicottLeviticus 18:6: "None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD."
(6) None of you shall approach. —Literally, man, man, ye shall not approach. It is part of the phrase used in Leviticus 17:3 ; Leviticus 17:8 ; Leviticus 17:13 , and should accordingly be rendered by no man whatsoever shall approach. The absence of the words “of the house of Israel,” which, in the other instances, form part of this phrase, as we are assured by the authoriti…
The phrase "flesh of his flesh" isn't just a poetic way to say "relative"; it emphasizes an almost inseparable physical connection. This highlights that the prohibition is about respecting the boundaries of the very families God designed for intimacy and protection, not just following arbitrary rules.
This verse serves as a sweeping, foundational prohibition within a larger section of Leviticus detailing sexual purity laws. It introduces a series of specific prohibitions against incest that follow, drawing a clear line against sexual relations with close relatives, establishing this as a matter of God's holiness and the land's purity. The phrasing emphasizes that this is not just about avoiding specific acts but about a posture of non-approach to anyone within the "rest of his flesh," setting the stage for the detailed list of forbidden relationships that unpacks this core principle.
This verse serves as a sweeping, foundational prohibition within a larger section of Leviticus detailing sexual purity laws. It introduces a series of specific prohibitions against incest that follow, drawing a clear line against sexual relations with close relatives, establishing this as a matter of God's holiness and the land's purity. The phrasing emphasizes that this is not just about avoiding specific acts but about a posture of non-approach to anyone within the "rest of his flesh," setting the stage for the detailed list of forbidden relationships that unpacks this core principle.
"“None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the LORD." — The phrase "flesh of his flesh" isn't just a poetic way to say "relative"; it emphasizes an almost inseparable physical connection. This highlights that the prohibition is about respecting the bounda…
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Last reviewed October 2026