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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 20:19 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/20-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/03_Lev_20_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 20:19 - Punishments for Sexual Immorality" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/leviticus/20-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/leviticus/20-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/leviticus/">Leviticus</a> > <a href="/leviticus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm" title="Leviticus 20:18">◄</a> Leviticus 20:19 <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm" title="Leviticus 20:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/leviticus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220&#8217Do not have sexual relations with the sister of either your mother or your father, for that would dishonor a close relative; both of you would be held responsible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not have sexual relations with your aunt, whether your mother’s sister or your father’s sister. This would dishonor a close relative. Both parties are guilty and will be punished for their sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister or of your father’s sister, for that is to make naked one’s relative; they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister nor of your father’s sister, for that would uncover his near of kin. They shall bear their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall also not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister or of your father’s sister, for <i>such a one</i> has uncovered his blood relative; they will bear their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall also not uncover the nakedness of your mother&#8217s sister or of your father&#8217s sister, for such a one has made naked his blood relative; they will bear their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘You shall also not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister or of your father’s sister, for such a one has made naked his blood relative; they shall bear their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You shall also not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister or of your father’s sister, for such a one has made naked his blood relative; they will bear their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of (have intimate relations with) your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, for such a one has uncovered his blood relative; they will bear their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not have sexual intercourse with your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, for it is exposing one’s own blood relative; both people will bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not have sexual intercourse with your mother&#8217s sister or your father&#8217s sister, for it is exposing one&#8217s own blood relative; both people will bear their punishment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister; for he hath made naked his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The sisters of your father and mother are your own relatives, and you will be punished for having sex with any of them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he hath made naked his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never have sexual intercourse with your mother's sister or your father's sister. Whoever has sexual intercourse with a close relative must be punished.<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 aunt, both of them must suffer the consequences for incest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to have sexual relations with your mother's sister or your father's sister, because that is laying bare the nakedness of his close relative. They'll continue to bear responsibility for their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not expose the nakedness of your mother's sister and your father's sister, for such a person has laid bare his own close relative. They must bear their punishment for iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, nor of your father's sister; for he has made naked his close relative: they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister, for he has made his close relative naked. They shall bear their iniquity. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you do not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister and your father’s sister, because his relation he has made bare; they bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And the nakedness of thy mother's sister, and of thy father's sister, thou dost not uncover; because his relation he hath made bare; their iniquity they bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the nakedness of thy mother's sister, and of thy father's sister, thou shalt not uncover; for he made naked his remainder; they shall bear their iniquity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy aunt by thy mother, and of thy aunt by thy father: he that doth this, hath uncovered the shame of his own flesh, both shall bear their iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not expose the nakedness of your maternal or paternal aunt. Whoever does this has laid bare the shame of his own flesh; both shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not have intercourse with your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, because that dishonors one’s own flesh; they shall bear their penalty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister or of your father’s sister, for that is to lay bare one’s own flesh; they shall be subject to punishment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall not be intimate with your mother's sister nor your father's sister; for he uncovers the nakedness of his near kin; they shall suffer for their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not expose the nakedness of the sister of your mother or of the sister of your father, because they are close relatives, they shall bear the nakedness of their evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister; for he hath made naked his near kin; they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister, or of the sister of thy mother; for that man has uncovered the nakedness of one near akin: they shall bear their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/20-19.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=5448" 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">18</span>If a man lies with a menstruating woman and has sexual relations with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from among their people. <span class="reftext">19</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: wə·‘er·waṯ (Conj-w:: 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/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·wṯ (N-fsc) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">the sister</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">of your mother</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).">or your father,</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: wa·’ă·ḥō·wṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6168.htm" title="6168: he·‘ĕ·rāh (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To be naked or bare. A primitive root; to be bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish.">it is exposing</a> <a href="/hebrew/7607.htm" title="7607: šə·’ê·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Flesh. From sha'ar; flesh, as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood.">one’s own kin;</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.">both shall bear</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">their iniquity.</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>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.…<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/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12-14</a></span><br />You must not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative. / You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s close relative. / You must not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations with her; she is your aunt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-22.htm">Deuteronomy 27:22</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-11.htm">Ezekiel 22:11</a></span><br />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/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="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18</a></span><br />Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-5</a></span><br />For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-22.htm">Genesis 9:22-23</a></span><br />And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. / Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/19-36.htm">Genesis 19:36</a></span><br />Thus both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-11.htm">2 Samuel 13:11-14</a></span><br />And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come lie with me, my sister!” / “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! / Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-27</a></span><br />Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-8.htm">1 Corinthians 10:8</a></span><br />We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a></span><br />Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, nor of your father's sister: for he uncovers his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.</p><p class="hdg">mother's</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12,13</a></b></br> Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she <i>is</i> thy father's near kinswoman… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/6-20.htm">Exodus 6:20</a></b></br> And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram <i>were</i> an hundred and thirty and seven years.</p><p class="hdg">uncovereth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Leviticus 18:6</a></b></br> None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover <i>their</i> nakedness: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-4.htm">Close</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-26.htm">Either</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-22.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-20.htm">Held</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Kin</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-1.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-14.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Naked</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-11.htm">One's</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Relative</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-22.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-17.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Uncover</a> <a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">Uncovereth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm">Close</a> <a href="/numbers/4-4.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-49.htm">Either</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-16.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Held</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-16.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm">Kin</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-11.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-24.htm">Naked</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/21-20.htm">One's</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-2.htm">Relative</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/numbers/25-1.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-3.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Uncover</a> <a href="/numbers/22-31.htm">Uncovereth</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>You must not have sexual relations with the sister of your mother or your father</b><br>This command is part of the Holiness Code, a section of Leviticus that outlines moral and ceremonial laws for the Israelites. The prohibition against incestuous relationships is rooted in the need to maintain family purity and social order. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, family structures were central to societal stability, and such relationships were seen as violations of familial boundaries. This command reflects God's desire for His people to live distinctively from surrounding nations, many of which practiced such relationships. The prohibition is reiterated in other parts of Scripture, such as <a href="/deuteronomy/27-22.htm">Deuteronomy 27:22</a>, emphasizing its importance.<p><b>for it is exposing one’s own kin</b><br>The phrase highlights the intimate and sacred nature of family relationships. To "expose" one's kin is to violate the inherent trust and respect within the family unit. This exposure is not merely physical but also a breach of social and spiritual boundaries. The family was the primary social unit in Israelite society, and maintaining its sanctity was crucial. This command underscores the broader biblical theme of honoring one's family, as seen in the commandment to honor one's father and mother (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>).<p><b>both shall bear their iniquity</b><br>The consequence of bearing iniquity indicates personal responsibility for sin. In the Old Testament, sin often had communal implications, but this phrase emphasizes individual accountability. The idea of bearing iniquity is linked to the broader biblical principle of justice, where each person is responsible for their actions (<a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Ezekiel 18:20</a>). This concept is foundational to understanding the need for atonement and ultimately points to the sacrificial system, which foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the iniquity of humanity (<a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a>).<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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, to whom the laws in Leviticus were given as part of their covenant relationship with Him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land where the Israelites were headed, which was inhabited by people whose practices God wanted the Israelites to avoid.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine lawgiver who establishes moral and ceremonial laws for His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/family_relations.htm">Family Relations</a></b><br>The focus of this verse is on maintaining the sanctity and respect within family relationships.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sanctity_of_family.htm">Sanctity of Family</a></b><br>The family unit is sacred, and maintaining its purity is crucial for societal stability and spiritual health.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_god's_law.htm">Respect for God's Law</a></b><br>God's laws are designed to protect us and promote holiness. We must respect and adhere to them, even when cultural norms differ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The verse highlights that sin carries consequences, both spiritually and relationally. Understanding this helps us make wise choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_relationships.htm">Holiness in Relationships</a></b><br>Our relationships should reflect God's holiness. This includes setting boundaries that honor God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_distinction.htm">Cultural Distinction</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to live distinctively from the world, upholding God's standards in all areas of life.<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/what_does_the_bible_say_on_obeying_parents.htm">What does the Bible instruct about obeying parents?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_ageism.htm">What does the Bible say about ageism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_elder_care.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer on elder care?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_deut._13_clash_with_free_will.htm">Does the harsh response prescribed in Deuteronomy 13 conflict with the concept of free will versus strict divine command?</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>(19) <span class= "bld">Thy mother's </span>sister.--See <a href="/leviticus/18-12.htm" title="You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister: she is your father's near kinswoman.">Leviticus 18:12</a>.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/20-19.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">וְעֶרְוַ֨ת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘er·waṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">the sister</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲח֧וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your mother</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמְּךָ֛</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or 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 /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is exposing</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶעֱרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(he·‘ĕ·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6168.htm">Strong's 6168: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, bare, to empty, pour out, demolish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one’s own kin;</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁאֵר֛וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’ê·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7607.htm">Strong's 7607: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, as living, for, food, food of any kind, kindred by blood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both shall bear</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשָּֽׂאוּ׃</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 iniquity.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺנָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wō·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 20:19 You shall not uncover the nakedness (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 20:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 20:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:20" /></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>