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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="audio" id="audio"></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 /> <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/20.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/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If a man lies with his uncle’s wife</b><br>This phrase addresses a specific form of sexual immorality, highlighting the importance of maintaining family boundaries and respect for marital relationships. In the ancient Near Eastern context, family structures were integral to societal stability, and violations of these boundaries were seen as threats to the community's moral fabric. The act described here is considered incestuous, as it involves a close relative by marriage. This prohibition is part of a broader set of laws in Leviticus aimed at preserving the sanctity and purity of the Israelite community, reflecting God's holiness.<p><b>he has uncovered the nakedness of his uncle</b><br>The phrase "uncovered the nakedness" is a euphemism for sexual relations, emphasizing the violation of the uncle's marital rights. In biblical terms, nakedness is often associated with shame and dishonor, as seen in <a href="/genesis/9-22.htm">Genesis 9:22-23</a> with Noah's sons. This act is not just a personal sin but an affront to the family unit and, by extension, to the community. The uncle's rights and honor are compromised, which is a serious offense in a culture that highly values family honor and integrity.<p><b>They will bear their sin</b><br>This indicates that both parties involved in the act are held accountable for their actions. The concept of "bearing sin" implies carrying the guilt and consequences of one's actions. In the Old Testament, sin often had communal implications, affecting not just the individual but also the wider community. This reflects the biblical principle that sin has consequences, both spiritual and social, and underscores the need for repentance and atonement.<p><b>they shall die childless</b><br>The consequence of dying childless is significant in the biblical context, where having descendants was considered a blessing and a means of continuing one's legacy. This punishment serves as both a deterrent and a form of divine judgment, indicating that the sin has cut off the possibility of future generations. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, being childless was often seen as a curse or a sign of divine disfavor, as seen in the stories of Sarah and Hannah. This consequence underscores the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of family and marital relationships.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The original audience of the Levitical laws, called to be a holy nation set apart for God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader through whom God delivered the laws to the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_uncle_and_his_wife.htm">The Uncle and His Wife</a></b><br>The specific individuals involved in the prohibited relationship, representing a breach of family and societal boundaries.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The context in which these laws were to be observed, as the Israelites prepared to enter and inhabit it.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_covenant.htm">God’s Covenant</a></b><br>The overarching agreement between God and Israel, which included laws for maintaining holiness and purity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>God calls His people to live distinctively, reflecting His holiness in their relationships and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>The consequences outlined in <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20</a> underscore the gravity of sin and its impact on individuals and the community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_integrity.htm">Family Integrity</a></b><br>Maintaining the sanctity of family relationships is crucial for societal stability and reflects God’s design for human relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The warning of being "childless" serves as a reminder that sin has tangible consequences, affecting future generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>While the Old Testament law prescribes severe penalties, the New Testament offers hope for forgiveness and restoration through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_lev._18_5_vs._rom._3_20_a_contradiction.htm">Leviticus 18:5 promises life through obedience, yet Romans 3:20 says the Law can't grant righteousness. Is this an irreconcilable contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_leviticus_20_13_condemn_homosexuality.htm">Why does Leviticus 20:13 prescribe death for homosexuality when modern views see sexual orientation as inherent, raising justice and compassion concerns?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_death_for_cursing_parents_cultural.htm">In Leviticus 20:9, why does the penalty of death for cursing a parent align with an ancient cultural norm rather than reflecting a consistent moral principle that applies universally?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_lev_20_27_align_with_1_sam_28.htm">In Leviticus 20:27, how does the death sentence for mediums and spiritists reconcile with the Bible's own instances of sanctioned supernatural encounters (e.g., 1 Samuel 28)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><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>