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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 20:20 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/20-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/03_Lev_20_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 20:20 - Punishments for Sexual Immorality" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered the nakedness of his uncle. 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They will be held responsible; they will die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If a man has sex with his uncle’s wife, he has violated his uncle. Both the man and woman will be punished for their sin, and they will die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness; they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If <i>there is</i> a man who sleeps with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness; they will bear their sin. They will die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If there is a man who lies with his uncle&#8217s wife he has uncovered his uncle&#8217s nakedness; they will bear their sin. They will die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘If <i>there is</i> a man who lies with his uncle’s wife he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness; they shall bear their sin. They shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If <i>there is</i> a man who lies with his aunt, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness; they will bear their sin. They will die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If <i>there is</i> a man who lies [intimately] with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness; they will bear their sin. They will die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has violated the intimacy that belongs to his uncle; they will bear their guilt and die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has shamed his uncle; they will bear their guilt and die childless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you have sex with your uncle's wife, neither you nor she will ever have any children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever has sexual intercourse with his uncle's wife violates his uncle's marriage. That man and woman are guilty of sin. They will die without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If a man has intercourse with his uncle's wife, he disgraces his uncle, and he and the woman will pay the penalty; neither one will have children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"If a man has sexual relations with his uncle's wife, he has exposed his uncle's nakedness. They are to bear responsibility for punishment of their sin. They'll die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If a man has sexual intercourse with his aunt, he has exposed his uncle's nakedness; they must bear responsibility for their sin, they will die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And a man who lies with his aunt, he has uncovered the nakedness of his uncle; they bear their sin; they die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And a man who lieth with his aunt, the nakedness of his uncle he hath uncovered; their sin they bear; childless they die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And a man who shall lie with his aunt, uncovered the nakedness of his uncle: they shall bear their sin: they shall die childless.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If any man lie with the wife of his uncle by the father, or of his uncle by the mother, and uncover the shame of his near akin, both shall bear their sin: they shall die without children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If any man has had sexual intercourse with the wife of his paternal or maternal uncle, and he has uncovered the shame of his close relative, both shall bear their sin. They shall die without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he disgraces his uncle; they shall bear the penalty; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness; they shall be subject to punishment; they shall die childless.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall suffer for their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And a man who will have sexual intercourse with the wife of a paternal uncle exposes the nakedness of his paternal uncle; they shall bear their sin and they shall die without children.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife--he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness--they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Whosoever shall lie with his near kinswoman, has uncovered the nakedness of one near akin to him: they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/20-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=5458" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm">Punishments for Sexual Immorality</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>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. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·’îš (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">If a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: yiš·kaḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">lies</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1733.htm" title="1733: dō·ḏā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Aunt. Feminine of dowd; an aunt.">his uncle’s wife,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1540.htm" title="1540: gil·lāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal.">he has uncovered</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: ‘er·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively.">the nakedness</a> <a href="/hebrew/1730.htm" title="1730: dō·ḏōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Or dod; from an unused root meaning properly, to boil, i.e. to love; by implication, a love- token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle.">of his uncle.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: yiś·śā·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">They will bear</a> <a href="/hebrew/2399.htm" title="2399: ḥeṭ·’ām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A sin. From chata'; a crime or its penalty.">their sin;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yā·mu·ṯū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">they shall die</a> <a href="/hebrew/6185.htm" title="6185: ‘ă·rî·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Stripped. From arar; bare, i.e. Destitute.">childless.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8</a></span><br />You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-20.htm">Deuteronomy 27:20</a></span><br />‘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!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-30.htm">Deuteronomy 22:30</a></span><br />A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Ezekiel 22:10-11</a></span><br />In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity. / One man commits an abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another wickedly defiles his daughter-in-law; and yet another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-5.htm">Ephesians 5:5</a></span><br />For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5-6</a></span><br />Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-26.htm">Romans 1:26-27</a></span><br />For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. / Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">1 Timothy 1:9-10</a></span><br />We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-15.htm">Revelation 22:15</a></span><br />But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-29.htm">Leviticus 18:29</a></span><br />Therefore anyone who commits any of these abominations must be cut off from among his people.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.</p><p class="hdg">uncle's wife</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-14.htm">Leviticus 18:14</a></b></br> Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she <i>is</i> thine aunt.</p><p class="hdg">childless</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/18-19.htm">Job 18:19</a></b></br> He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/109-13.htm">Psalm 109:13</a></b></br> Let his posterity be cut off; <i>and</i> in the generation following let their name be blotted out.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/22-30.htm">Jeremiah 22:30</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man <i>that</i> shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/18-14.htm">Aunt</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Childless</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-13.htm">Die</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Dishonored</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Held</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-8.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-14.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-12.htm">Sleeps</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-4.htm">Uncle</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-12.htm">Uncle's</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-14.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/18-14.htm">Aunt</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-9.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Childless</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Death</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Die</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Dishonored</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-13.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-15.htm">Held</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-34.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-15.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-20.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-23.htm">Sleeps</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-49.htm">Uncle</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-49.htm">Uncle's</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-1.htm">Of him who gives his seed to Moloch</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-4.htm">Of him who favors such an one</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Of going to wizards</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-7.htm">Of sanctification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Of him who curses his parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Of incest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-13.htm">Of sodomy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-15.htm">Of bestiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Of uncleanness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Obedience is required with holiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Wizards must be put to death</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/leviticus/20.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>If a man lies</b><br />The phrase "lies" in this context is a euphemism for sexual relations. The Hebrew root word used here is "שָׁכַב" (shakab), which often implies a consensual act of intimacy. This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe illicit sexual relations, emphasizing the gravity of the sin in the eyes of God. The act is not merely physical but represents a breach of divine law and order.<p><b>with his uncle’s wife</b><br />This phrase highlights the specific nature of the prohibited relationship. The Hebrew culture, deeply rooted in family and tribal connections, viewed such an act as a violation of familial boundaries and respect. The uncle's wife is considered part of the extended family, and thus, this act is seen as an affront to the family unit and its sanctity.<p><b>he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness</b><br />The term "uncovered" comes from the Hebrew "גָּלָה" (galah), meaning to reveal or expose. In Levitical law, "nakedness" is a metaphor for sexual relations, and uncovering it implies a deep violation of personal and familial privacy. This phrase underscores the shame and dishonor brought upon the family, reflecting the cultural and religious importance of maintaining purity and respect within family lines.<p><b>They will bear their sin</b><br />The phrase "bear their sin" indicates personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions. In Hebrew, "נָשָׂא" (nasa) means to carry or bear, suggesting that the individuals involved must carry the weight and consequences of their transgression. This reflects the biblical principle that sin has inherent consequences, both spiritually and communally.<p><b>they will die childless</b><br />This phrase serves as both a literal and symbolic punishment. In ancient Israelite society, having children was seen as a blessing and a means of continuing one's legacy. The Hebrew word "עֲרִירִי" (ariri) means childless or barren. This consequence underscores the severity of the sin, as it not only affects the individuals but also their potential lineage, cutting off their family line as a divine judgment for their actions.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">His uncle's wife.</span>--See <a href="/leviticus/18-14.htm" title="You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's brother, you shall not approach to his wife: she is your aunt.">Leviticus 18:14</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 20, 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They shall die childless;... they shall be childless.</span> "It cannot be supposed that a perpetual miracle was to be maintained through all the ages of Israel's history; but the meaning evidently is that the children of such marriages should be reckoned, not to their actual father, but to the former husband of the woman. In the strong feeling of the Israelites in regard to posterity, this penalty seems to have been sufficient" (Gardiner). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/20-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If a man</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִ֗ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lies</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁכַּב֙</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·kaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his uncle’s wife,</span><br /><span class="heb">דֹּ֣דָת֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(dō·ḏā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1733.htm">Strong's 1733: </a> </span><span class="str2">An aunt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he has uncovered</span><br /><span class="heb">גִּלָּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(gil·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1540.htm">Strong's 1540: </a> </span><span class="str2">To denude, to exile, to reveal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the nakedness</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶרְוַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘er·waṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6172.htm">Strong's 6172: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nakedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his uncle.</span><br /><span class="heb">דֹּד֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(dō·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1730.htm">Strong's 1730: </a> </span><span class="str2">To love, a love-token, lover, friend, an uncle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They will bear</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשָּׂ֖אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·śā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their sin;</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶטְאָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥeṭ·’ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2399.htm">Strong's 2399: </a> </span><span class="str2">A crime, its penalty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they shall die</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמֻֽתוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mu·ṯū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">childless.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲרִירִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·rî·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6185.htm">Strong's 6185: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bare, destitute</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 20:20 If a man lies with his uncle's (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 20:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 20:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>