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They will be 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 marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has violated his brother, and the guilty couple will remain 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 takes his brother’s wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be 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 marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be 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 take his brother's wife, it <i>is</i> an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be 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 takes his brother’s wife, it <i>is</i> an unclean thing. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be 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 takes his brother’s wife, it is detestable; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They will be 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 takes his brother&#8217s wife, it is abhorrent; he has uncovered his brother&#8217s nakedness. They will be 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 takes his brother’s wife, it is abhorrent; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be 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 takes his brother’s wife, it is an impure act; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They will be childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is a hated <i>and</i> unclean thing; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They will be 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 marries his brother’s wife, it is impurity. He has violated the intimacy that belongs to his brother; they will be 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 marries his brother&#8217s wife, it is impurity. He has shamed his brother; they will be childless.&#8221 <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 take his brother's wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And if you marry your sister-in-law, neither of you 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 take his brother's wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever marries his brother's wife violates his brother's marriage and does an unclean thing. That man and woman will have no 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 takes his brother's wife, they will die childless. He has done a ritually unclean thing and has disgraced his brother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"If a man takes his brother's wife, it's immoral. He has exposed his brother's nakedness. They'll be 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 marries his brother?s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be 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 brother's wife, it is indecency. He has exposed his brother's nakedness; they will be 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 takes his brother's wife, it is an impurity: he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be 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 take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be 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 takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be 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 takes his brother’s wife—it [is] impurity; he has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they are 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 taketh his brother's wife -- it is impurity; the nakedness of his brother he hath uncovered; childless they are.<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 take his brother's wife, it is uncleanness: he uncovered his brother's nakedness: 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 />He that marrieth his brother's wife, doth an unlawful thing, he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness: they shall be without children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever will have married his brother’s wife has done an unlawful thing; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be 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 takes his brother’s wife, it is severe defilement and he has disgraced his brother; they shall be 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 takes his brother’s wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be 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 take his brother's wife, it is an iniquity, for he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be 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 take the wife of his brother exposes him because he uncovers the nakedness of his brother; they shall be 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 take his brother's wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Whoever shall take his brother's wife, it is uncleanness; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall die childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/20-21.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=5468" 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">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. <span class="reftext">21</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/3947.htm" title="3947: yiq·qaḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">marries</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/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">his brother’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/5079.htm" title="5079: nid·dāh (N-fs) -- Impurity. From nadad; properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal or moral.">is an act of impurity.</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/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">of his brother;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they shall be</a> <a href="/hebrew/6185.htm" title="6185: ‘ă·rî·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Stripped. From arar; bare, i.e. Destitute.">childless.</a> </span><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/18-16.htm">Leviticus 18:16</a></span><br />You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-23.htm">Deuteronomy 27:23</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his mother-in-law.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-3.htm">Matthew 14:3-4</a></span><br />Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-17.htm">Mark 6:17-18</a></span><br />For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married. / For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”<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/6-9.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="/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="/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="/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="/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="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></span><br />For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.<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/19-5.htm">Genesis 19:5-8</a></span><br />They called out to Lot, saying, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can have relations with them!” / Lot went outside to meet them, shutting the door behind him. / “Please, my brothers,” he pleaded, “don’t do such a wicked thing! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.</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 take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.</p><p class="hdg">his brother's</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-16.htm">Leviticus 18:16</a></b></br> Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it <i>is</i> thy brother's nakedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/14-3.htm">Matthew 14:3,4</a></b></br> For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put <i>him</i> in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife… </p><p class="hdg">an unclean thing [heb] a separation </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/11-13.htm">Abhorrent</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-14.htm">Act</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-16.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Childless</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Dishonored</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-19.htm">Impurity</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-14.htm">Marries</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-3.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/21-6.htm">Abhorrent</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-21.htm">Act</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-14.htm">Childless</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-15.htm">Children</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-14.htm">Dishonored</a> <a href="/numbers/5-28.htm">Impurity</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-13.htm">Marries</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-25.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.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 marries his brother’s wife</b><br>This phrase addresses a specific prohibition in the Mosaic Law. The cultural and historical context of ancient Israel placed a strong emphasis on family lineage and inheritance. Marrying a brother's wife was generally forbidden, except in the case of levirate marriage, where a brother was required to marry his deceased brother's widow to produce offspring in his brother's name (<a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a>). This law in Leviticus, however, refers to a situation where the brother is still alive, thus making the act unlawful. This prohibition underscores the importance of maintaining family boundaries and the sanctity of marriage.<p><b>it is an act of impurity</b><br>The term "impurity" in this context refers to a violation of God's holiness standards. In the Levitical code, impurity often relates to actions that defile a person spiritually and ceremonially. This act is considered a moral transgression that disrupts the order established by God for familial relationships. The concept of impurity is significant throughout Leviticus, as it delineates what is clean and unclean, impacting one's ability to participate in community worship and fellowship with God.<p><b>He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother</b><br>This phrase uses a euphemism common in biblical language to describe sexual relations. "Uncovering nakedness" is a term that appears frequently in <a href="/leviticus/18.htm">Leviticus 18 and 20</a>, referring to illicit sexual acts. The act of uncovering a brother's nakedness by marrying his wife while he is still alive is seen as a profound violation of familial loyalty and respect. This phrase highlights the seriousness of the offense, as it not only affects the individuals involved but also dishonors the family unit.<p><b>they shall be childless</b><br>The consequence of being childless is both a literal and a symbolic punishment. In ancient Israel, having children was considered a blessing and a sign of God's favor (<a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Psalm 127:3-5</a>). Childlessness, therefore, was seen as a curse or a divine judgment. This punishment serves as a deterrent against violating God's commandments and emphasizes the importance of obedience to His laws. Theologically, it reflects the principle that sin leads to loss and barrenness, contrasting with the fruitfulness that comes from living in accordance with God's will.<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 had practices that God wanted them to avoid, including those related to marriage and family.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/brother's_wife.htm">Brother's Wife</a></b><br>The specific relationship mentioned in this verse, highlighting the importance of family integrity and purity.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate lawgiver, whose holiness and standards are reflected in the laws given to the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_holiness.htm">Understanding God's Holiness</a></b><br>God's laws reflect His holy nature and His desire for His people to be set apart from the surrounding nations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_family_integrity.htm">The Importance of Family Integrity</a></b><br>The prohibition against marrying a brother's wife underscores the value God places on family relationships and the need to honor them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The warning of childlessness serves as a reminder that disobedience to God's commands can lead to serious consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contextual_application.htm">Contextual Application</a></b><br>While the specific law may not apply directly today, the principle of maintaining purity and honoring family relationships remains relevant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respecting_god's_design_for_marriage.htm">Respecting God's Design for Marriage</a></b><br>This passage encourages believers to respect and uphold God's design for marriage as a sacred covenant.<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_defines_the_new_anointing.htm">What does 'uncover the nakedness' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_were_canaanites_cursed_as_slaves.htm">Why were the Canaanites cursed with enslavement?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_amos_teach_about_justice.htm">What does 'ceremonially unclean' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/want_to_thrive_and_stay_healthy.htm">What does Leviticus 18:22 mean about male relations?</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>(21) <span class= "bld">His brother's wife.</span>--See <a href="/leviticus/18-16.htm" title="You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife: it is your brother's nakedness.">Leviticus 18:16</a>.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/20-21.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">marries</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקַּ֛ח</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his brother’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wife,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥שֶׁת</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">הִ֑וא</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">is an act of impurity.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִדָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(nid·dāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5079.htm">Strong's 5079: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rejection, impurity, personal, moral</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He has uncovered</span><br /><span class="heb">גִּלָּ֖ה</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 brother;</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִ֛יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they shall be</span><br /><span class="heb">יִהְיֽוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</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/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/20-21.htm">Leviticus 20:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/20-21.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 20:21 If a man takes his brother's wife (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 20:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 20:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 20:22" /></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>