CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 18:12 You must not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/18-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/03_Lev_18_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 18:12 - Unlawful Sexual Relations" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You must not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative." /><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/18-12.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/18-12.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/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 12</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="/ad12.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/18-11.htm" title="Leviticus 18:11">◄</a> Leviticus 18:12 <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm" title="Leviticus 18:13">►</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/18.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/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220&#8217Do not have sexual relations with your father&#8217s sister; she is your father&#8217s close relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister, for she is your father’s close relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she <i>is</i> thy father's near kinswoman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she <i>is</i> near of kin to your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s blood relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father&#8217s sister; she is your father&#8217s blood relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s blood relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s blood relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s blood relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to have sexual intercourse with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to have sexual intercourse with your father&#8217s sister; she is your father&#8217s close relative. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never have sexual intercourse with your father's sister. She is your paternal aunt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to have sexual relations with your father's sister. She's your father's near blood relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not have sexual relations with your father?s sister; she is your father?s close relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not have sexual intercourse with your father's sister; she is your father's flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister: she is your father's flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister. She is your father’s near kinswoman. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not uncover the nakedness of a sister of your father; she [is] a relation of your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The nakedness of a sister of thy father thou dost not uncover; she is a relation of thy father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father's sister, thou shalt not uncover: she is thy father's remainder.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: because she is the flesh of thy father. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not expose the nakedness of your father’s sister; for she is the flesh of your father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not have intercourse with your father’s sister, since she is your father’s relative.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is your father’s flesh.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not approach your father's sister, she is your father's near kinswoman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not uncover the nakedness of the sister of your father, for she is the close relative of your father.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister, for she is near akin to thy father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/18-12.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=4807" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Unlawful Sexual Relations</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>You must not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: ‘er·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively.">have sexual relations with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1540.htm" title="1540: ṯə·ḡal·lêh (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·wṯ- (N-fsc) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">sister;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">she</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).">is your father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/7607.htm" title="7607: šə·’êr (N-msc) -- Flesh. From sha'ar; flesh, as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood.">close relative.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s close relative.…<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/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19</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="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="/genesis/20-12.htm">Genesis 20:12</a></span><br />Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father—though not the daughter of my mother—and she became my wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Genesis 29:13-14</a></span><br />When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him all that had happened. / Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a></span><br />And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-2.htm">Genesis 28:2</a></span><br />“Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-13.htm">Genesis 31:13</a></span><br />I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-9.htm">Genesis 35:9-12</a></span><br />After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. / And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.” So God named him Israel. / And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-15.htm">Genesis 46:15</a></span><br />These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three.<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_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="/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="/romans/13-13.htm">Romans 13:13</a></span><br />Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's sister: she is your father's near kinswoman.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-19.htm">Leviticus 20:19</a></b></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.</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><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Close</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-11.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/luke/1-36.htm">Kinswoman</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-11.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-11.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Relative</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-10.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-11.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-11.htm">Sister</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Close</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-14.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Kinswoman</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Relation</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Relative</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm">Sister</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/18-1.htm">Unlawful marriages and unlawful lusts</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not have sexual relations with your father’s sister;</b><br>This command is part of a larger section in Leviticus that outlines prohibited sexual relationships, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family purity and boundaries. The prohibition against incestuous relationships is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting the need to uphold the sanctity of family structures. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such relationships were often taboo, and this command reinforces the distinctiveness of Israel's moral and ethical code. The command also serves to protect familial harmony and prevent the complications that arise from blurred family lines. This directive is consistent with the broader biblical principle of holiness, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>, where God calls His people to be holy as He is holy.<p><b>she is your father’s close relative.</b><br>The phrase highlights the closeness of the familial relationship, underscoring the importance of respecting family ties and boundaries. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, family was the central social unit, and maintaining its integrity was crucial. This commandment reflects 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>). The emphasis on "close relative" also points to the potential for confusion and conflict that could arise from such relationships, which could disrupt the social and spiritual fabric of the community. This directive aligns with the New Testament teachings on sexual purity and the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-5</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 on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God to whom these laws were given, as they were being formed into a distinct nation with a unique identity.<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/f/father's_sister.htm">Father’s Sister (Aunt)</a></b><br>The specific relative mentioned in this verse, highlighting the importance of maintaining family boundaries and respect.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_code.htm">Holiness Code</a></b><br>A section within Leviticus (chapters 17-26) that outlines laws intended to set the Israelites apart as holy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_family_boundaries.htm">Respect for Family Boundaries</a></b><br>This commandment underscores the importance of maintaining clear and respectful boundaries within the family unit. It teaches us to honor and protect familial relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_distinction.htm">Holiness and Distinction</a></b><br>The laws in Leviticus, including this one, were given to set the Israelites apart from the surrounding nations. As Christians, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness and distinctiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sexual_purity.htm">Sexual Purity</a></b><br>This verse is part of a broader biblical mandate for sexual purity. It reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are to honor God with our bodies.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a></b><br>The Israelites were warned against adopting the practices of the Canaanites. Similarly, Christians today must be vigilant against cultural influences that contradict biblical values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_impact.htm">Generational Impact</a></b><br>The observance or neglect of God's commands can have lasting effects on families and communities. Upholding God's standards can lead to blessings for future generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_new_anointing.htm">What does 'uncover the nakedness' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_solomon's_wife_his_sister_too.htm">Was Solomon's wife his sister too?</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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_2_sam_13_1-22_with_laws.htm">How do we reconcile the events of 2 Samuel 13:1-22 with biblical laws condemning incest and rape?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Thy father's sister.</span>--According to the law which obtained in the time of Christ this prohibition not only extended to the father's half-sisters, but even when they were begotten by the grandfather illegitimately. It is remarkable that Moses himself was the offspring of such an alliance, since his father Amram married his own aunt Jochebed, who was the sister of his father. (See <a href="/exodus/6-20.htm" title="And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.">Exodus 6:20</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-15.</span> - Fifthly, incest with a paternal or maternal aunt is forbidden; sixthly, with an aunt by marriage; seventhly, with a daughter-in-law. The last of these finds its place in Ezekiel's catalogue of abominations (<a href="/ezekiel/22-11.htm">Ezekiel 22:11</a>; cf. <a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">Genesis 28:18</a>, 26). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/18-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have sexual relations with</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶרְוַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘er·waṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6172.htm">Strong's 6172: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nakedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your father’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sister;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחוֹת־</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">she</span><br /><span class="heb">הִֽוא׃</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is your father’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">close relative.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁאֵ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’êr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/18-12.htm">Leviticus 18:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/18-12.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 18:12 You shall not uncover the nakedness (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/18-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 18:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/18-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 18:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:13" /></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>