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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 18:8 You must not have sexual relations with your father's wife; it would dishonor your father.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/18-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/03_Lev_18_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 18:8 - Unlawful Sexual Relations" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You must not have sexual relations with your father's wife; it would dishonor your father." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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that would dishonor your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not have sexual relations with any of your father’s wives, for this would violate your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it <i>is</i> thy father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The nakedness of your father’s wife you shall not uncover; it <i>is</i> your father’s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father&#8217s wife; it is your father&#8217s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is your father’s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to have sex with your father’s wife; she is your father’s family.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to have sex with your father&#8217s wife; it will shame your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And don't disgrace him by having sex with any of his other wives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never have sexual intercourse with your stepmother. She is related to you through your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not disgrace your father by having intercourse with any of his other wives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to have sexual relations with your father's wife. It's your own father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not have sexual intercourse with your father's wife; she is your father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife: it is your father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not uncover the nakedness of the wife of your father; it [is] the nakedness of your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The nakedness of the wife of thy father thou dost not uncover; it is the nakedness of thy father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father's wife thou shalt not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's wife: for it is the nakedness of thy father. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not expose the nakedness of your father’s wife; for it is the nakedness of your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not have intercourse with your father’s wife, for that would be a disgrace to your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife; it is the nakedness of your father.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not approach your father's wife; it is your father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not expose the nakedness of the wife of your father, for it is the nakedness of your father.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's wife; it is thy father's nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/18-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=4777" 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/18.htm">Unlawful Sexual Relations</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: ‘er·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively.">have sexual relations with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1540.htm" title="1540: ṯə·ḡal·lêh (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ- (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: ‘er·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively.">would dishonor</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your father.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.…<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="/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="/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="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a></span><br />While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/16-21.htm">2 Samuel 16:21-22</a></span><br />Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Genesis 49:4</a></span><br />Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1</a></span><br />These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Ezekiel 22:10</a></span><br />In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-7.htm">2 Samuel 3:7</a></span><br />Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-8.htm">2 Samuel 12:8</a></span><br />I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-13.htm">1 Kings 2:13-25</a></span><br />Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/2-7.htm">Amos 2:7</a></span><br />They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the earth; they push the needy out of their way. A man and his father have relations with the same girl and so profane My holy name.<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/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3-5</a></span><br />But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / 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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The nakedness of your father's wife shall you not uncover: it is your father's nakedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Leviticus 20:11</a></b></br> And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood <i>shall be</i> upon them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard <i>it</i>. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Genesis 49:4</a></b></br> Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou <i>it</i>: he went up to my couch.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm">Dishonor</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-32.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/18-10.htm">Dishonor</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-9.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-9.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-9.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-10.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-9.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-11.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/18-1.htm">Unlawful marriages and unlawful lusts</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife;</b><br>This command is part of the Holiness Code in Leviticus, which outlines moral and ceremonial laws for the Israelites. The prohibition against sexual relations with a father's wife is a specific application of the broader commandment against adultery. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such relationships were often seen as a violation of family honor and social order. This law underscores the importance of maintaining family integrity and respecting the marital bond. The phrase "father's wife" may refer to a stepmother, indicating that the prohibition extends beyond biological mothers. This command is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul addresses a similar situation in <a href="/1_corinthians/5.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1</a>, condemning a man for having relations with his father's wife, thus reinforcing the continuity of this moral principle.<p><b>it would dishonor your father.</b><br>The concept of honor and shame was central to ancient Israelite society. Engaging in sexual relations with a father's wife would bring shame not only upon the individual but also upon the family and the community. This act would be seen as a direct affront to the father's authority and dignity. The Hebrew word for "dishonor" can also imply uncovering or exposing, suggesting a violation of the father's privacy and rights. This commandment reflects the broader biblical theme of honoring one's parents, as seen in the Fifth Commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>). The emphasis on family honor is consistent with the biblical portrayal of God as a Father who desires His children to live in a way that reflects His holiness and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites on holy living.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, to whom the laws were given to set them apart from other nations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/father's_wife.htm">Father's Wife</a></b><br>Refers to a stepmother or a father's second wife, highlighting the importance of family honor and boundaries.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were headed, known for its immoral practices, which the Israelites were to avoid.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate lawgiver, who establishes moral and ethical standards for His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/honor_and_respect.htm">Honor and Respect</a></b><br>The commandment underscores the importance of honoring family relationships and respecting the marital bond.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>God calls His people to be distinct from the surrounding cultures, which often practiced immorality.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Engaging in prohibited relationships brings dishonor and can lead to familial and societal breakdown.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/new_testament_continuity.htm">New Testament Continuity</a></b><br>The principles of sexual purity and respect for family boundaries are consistent throughout Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_integrity.htm">Personal Integrity</a></b><br>Believers are called to uphold integrity in all relationships, reflecting God's holiness in their lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_new_anointing.htm">What does 'uncover the nakedness' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'god_isn't_author_of_confusion'.htm">What does the Bible say about LGBTQ love and acceptance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_cor_5's_context_justify_its_stance.htm">Could the cultural context behind 1 Corinthians 5 explain this extreme stance on church discipline, or does it remain problematic by modern ethical standards?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_sexual_sin_stressed_in_1_cor_5_2.htm">Why does 1 Corinthians 5:2 call for such severe discipline for sexual immorality, yet other sins seem less emphasized in this passage? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">The nakedness of thy father's wife.</span>--Whilst the former prohibition refers to the son's own mother, this law is directed against illicit commerce with his stepmother. Here we have an instance where the phrase "to uncover the nakedness" denotes both illicit commerce and incestuous marriage. Accordingly the administrators of the law during the second Temple defined it as follows; a man's father's wife is for ever prohibited, whether she be simply betrothed or married to his father, whether she be divorced or not, whether she be a widow or not; all connection with her on the part of the father's son is forbidden. If he lie with her while her husband is alive, he is doubly guilty, first, because she is near of kin, and secondly, because she is another man's wife. This, therefore, includes the sin of Reuben with Bilhah, his father's concubine (<a href="/genesis/35-22.htm" title="And it came to pass, when Israel dwelled in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:">Genesis 35:22</a>), and of Absalom with the wives of his father (<a href="/context/2_samuel/16-20.htm" title="Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.">2Samuel 16:20-23</a>; <a href="/1_kings/2-17.htm" title="And he said, Speak, I pray you, to Solomon the king, (for he will not say you no,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.">1Kings 2:17</a>), which was not incestuous marriage but adultery, since their husbands were alive and the wives were not divorced from them, as well as the sin practised among some of the Christians in Corinth, which consisted in sons actually marrying their divorced stepmothers in the lifetime of their fathers, and which the Apostle denounced with such severity (<a href="/context/1_corinthians/5-1.htm" title="It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.">1Corinthians 5:1-4</a>). Among the ancient Arabs, marriages with stepmothers were common, and to this day among some tribes in Africa, when a father is unable through advanced age to attend to his young wives, he voluntarily gives them over to his eldest son. The Koran, however, like the Mosaic law, proscribes these marriages (<span class= "ital">Koran, </span>4:27).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/18-8.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">You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have sexual relations with</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">your father’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wife;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵֽשֶׁת־</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·šeṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it</span><br /><span class="heb">הִֽוא׃</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would dishonor</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">your father.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 18:8 You shall not uncover the nakedness (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 18:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/18-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 18:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:9" /></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>