Leviticus 18:7
You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrasing "the nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother" doesn't just list two separate prohibitions; it highlights that these two individuals are "one flesh" as parents, making the sin profoundly a violation of the entire family unit and its foundational bond. This intimate connection means the "nakedness" of one is intrinsically tied to the other, emphasizing a deep betrayal of the marital union that created the child.
This chapter lays out a series of prohibitions concerning sexual relationships within the Israelite community, building on the foundation of holiness established in earlier Levitical laws. Immediately preceding this verse, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that they are not to act like the Egyptians or Canaanites, setting the stage for specific laws against forbidden sexual unions. This verse then specifically forbids incest, making it clear that a person is not to have sexual relations with their father or mother, emphasizing the unique and unbreakable bond within the immediate family.
Ever wonder why the Bible repeats itself in this command? It's about more than just a single relationship. It points to a foundational truth about marriage.
This verse, along with others in Leviticus, prohibits sexual relations between close relatives. Notice how it's phrased: "the nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother... she is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness." The repetition isn't accidental. It emphasizes that the 'nakedness' of the father and mother are intimately linked. This is rooted in the creation principle that husband and wife become 'one flesh' (Genesis 2:24).
Because they are one flesh, the prohibition extends to both parents. While the verse specifically addresses a son's relationship with his mother, the underlying principle applies broadly. The integrity of the family unit, established by God, is paramount. These laws protect the sacred bond of marriage and prevent the breakdown of familial roles and relationships.
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Incest isn't just a violation of rules; it's a disruption of the very fabric of family. This ancient law reveals God's concern for social order.
The prohibition against uncovering the nakedness of parents is a cornerstone of the sexual purity laws in Leviticus. The ultimate goal is to preserve the sanctity and order of the family, which is the foundational unit of society.
When lines are blurred between familial roles (like parent and spouse), it leads to chaos and deep dishonor. The commentaries mention how such acts were seen as abhorrent, even to the animal kingdom, and were practiced by certain nations like the Persians. This highlights how incest is contrary to natural order and God's design.
These laws are not arbitrary; they are designed to foster healthy relationships, protect the vulnerable, and ensure the continuation of lineage in a morally sound way. They create clear boundaries that honor God and protect human dignity.
This verse explains the concept of 'one flesh' which underlies the prohibition against incest, highlighting the profound unity within marriage that this sin violates.
Deuteronomy 27:20This passage directly curses anyone who would lie with their father's wife, reinforcing the severe consequences for this specific form of incest mentioned implicitly in Leviticus 18:7.
1 Corinthians 5:1Paul condemns a similar case of incest in the Corinthian church, showing how this prohibition against uncovering parental nakedness is a timeless moral principle still applicable to believers.
Genesis 19:31-38The story of Lot and his daughters provides a stark, cautionary example of the very act prohibited, illustrating the tragic descent into sin when the natural boundaries of family are violated.
gillLeviticus 18:7: "The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness."
The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shall thou not uncover,.... By uncovering a father's nakedness is not meant anything similar to what befell Noah, which Ham beheld with pleasure, and the other two sons of Noah studiously and with reverence to their father covered; nor any sodomitical practice of a son with his…
barnesLeviticus 18:7: "The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness."
Or - It might be rendered "and", or rather, even; that is, which belongs to both parents as being "one flesh" ( Genesis 2:24 ; compare Leviticus 18:8 , Leviticus 18:14 ). These prohibitions are addressed to men.
The phrasing "the nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother" doesn't just list two separate prohibitions; it highlights that these two individuals are "one flesh" as parents, making the sin profoundly a violation of the entire family unit and its foundational bond. This intimate connection means the "nakedness" of one is intrinsically tied to the other, emphasizing a deep betrayal of the marital union that created the child.
This chapter lays out a series of prohibitions concerning sexual relationships within the Israelite community, building on the foundation of holiness established in earlier Levitical laws. Immediately preceding this verse, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that they are not to act like the Egyptians or Canaanites, setting the stage for specific laws against forbidden sexual unions. This verse then specifically forbids incest, making it clear that a person is not to have sexual relations with their father or mother, emphasizing the unique and unbreakable bond within the immediate family.
This chapter lays out a series of prohibitions concerning sexual relationships within the Israelite community, building on the foundation of holiness established in earlier Levitical laws. Immediately preceding this verse, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that they are not to act like the Egyptians or Canaanites, setting the stage for specific laws against forbidden sexual unions. This verse then specifically forbids incest, making it clear that a person is not to have sexual relations with their father or mother, emphasizing the unique and unbreakable bond within the immediate family.
"You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness." — The phrasing "the nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother" doesn't just list two separate prohibitions; it highlights that these two individuals are "one flesh" as parents, making t…
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