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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 18:7 You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/18-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/03_Lev_18_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 18:7 - Unlawful Sexual Relations" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. 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She is your mother; do not have relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not violate your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.<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, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she <i>is</i> thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother you shall not uncover. She <i>is</i> your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to violate the intimacy that belongs to your father and mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual intercourse with her.<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 shame your father by having sex with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual intercourse with her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father, even the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />especially your own mother. This would disgrace your father. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father, even the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Never have sexual intercourse with your mother. She is your own mother. Never have sexual intercourse with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not disgrace your father by having intercourse with your mother. You must not disgrace your own mother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Neither your father's nakedness nor your mother's nakedness is to be exposed. She's your mother, so you are not to have sexual relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not expose your father's nakedness by having sexual intercourse with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have intercourse with her.<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, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not uncover the nakedness of your father and the nakedness of your mother, she [is] your mother; you do not uncover her nakedness.<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 thy father and the nakedness of thy mother thou dost not uncover, she is thy mother; thou dost not uncover her nakedness.<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, and the nakedness of thy mother thou shalt not uncover: it is thy mother, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother: she is thy mother, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. <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, or the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not disgrace your father by having intercourse with your mother. She is your own mother; you shall not have intercourse with her.<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, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness.<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 shame your father by approaching your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not reveal the nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother; do not reveal her nakedness.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The nakedness of thy father, and the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, for she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/18-7.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=4766" 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">6</span>None of you are to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD. <span class="reftext">7</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.">expose the nakedness</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).">of your father</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: wə·‘er·waṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively."></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.">by having sexual relations with</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).">your mother.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">She</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).">is your mother;</a> <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/1540.htm" title="1540: ṯə·ḡal·leh (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal.">have sexual relations with her.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: ‘er·wā·ṯāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively."></a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-20.htm">Deuteronomy 27:20</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who sleeps with his father’s wife, for he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Ezekiel 22:10</a></span><br />In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1</a></span><br />It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/22-30.htm">Deuteronomy 22:30</a></span><br />A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/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="/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="/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="/2_samuel/13-12.htm">2 Samuel 13:12-14</a></span><br />“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.” / But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her.<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="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a></span><br />While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/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="/2_corinthians/12-21.htm">2 Corinthians 12:21</a></span><br />I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Genesis 49:4</a></span><br />Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/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="/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</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The nakedness of your father, or the nakedness of your mother, shall you not uncover: she is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-11.htm">Leviticus 20:11</a></b></br> And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood <i>shall be</i> upon them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Ezekiel 22:10</a></b></br> In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">Dishonor</a> <a href="/exodus/23-19.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Sexual</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Dishonor</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-9.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Relations</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Sex</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Sexual</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 expose the nakedness of your father</b><br>This phrase refers to the prohibition against uncovering the nakedness of one's father, which is a euphemism for engaging in sexual relations with one's mother. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such actions were considered a grave violation of family honor and social order. The phrase underscores the importance of respecting parental authority and maintaining the sanctity of the family unit. This commandment is part of a broader set of laws in Leviticus that aim to distinguish the Israelites from the surrounding nations, who often engaged in practices deemed immoral by biblical standards.<p><b>by having sexual relations with your mother.</b><br>The act of having sexual relations with one's mother is explicitly condemned here, highlighting the severity of incestuous relationships. In the cultural and historical context of the Israelites, family purity was paramount, and such actions were seen as defiling both the individual and the community. This prohibition is consistent with the broader biblical theme of sexual purity and the maintenance of clear boundaries within familial relationships. The law serves to protect the family structure, which is foundational to the covenant community.<p><b>She is your mother;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the natural and God-ordained role of the mother within the family. It serves as a reminder of the inherent respect and honor due to one's parents, as outlined in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>). The repetition of "your mother" reinforces the personal and relational aspect of the command, reminding the Israelites of the sacredness of the maternal role and the need to uphold family integrity.<p><b>you must not have sexual relations with her.</b><br>The repetition of the prohibition underscores its importance and the seriousness with which it is to be taken. This command is part of a larger framework of sexual ethics presented in Leviticus, which seeks to establish a community set apart for holiness. The prohibition against incest is reiterated in other parts of Scripture, such as <a href="/deuteronomy/27-20.htm">Deuteronomy 27:20</a>, and serves as a reminder of the call to live in accordance with God's design for human relationships. The emphasis on sexual purity can also be seen as a type pointing to the purity and holiness of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and calls His followers to a life of righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites.<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 a guide for holy living.<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 ethical boundaries for His people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/family_structure.htm">Family Structure</a></b><br>The focus of this verse is on maintaining the sanctity and respect within the family unit.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sanctity_of_family.htm">Sanctity of Family</a></b><br>The family is a sacred institution established by God, and maintaining its purity is crucial for societal stability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_parents.htm">Respect for Parents</a></b><br>Honoring parents is a fundamental biblical principle that extends beyond mere obedience to include respect for their roles and relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/boundaries_in_relationships.htm">Boundaries in Relationships</a></b><br>God sets clear boundaries to protect individuals and families from the destructive consequences of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_distinction.htm">Holiness and Distinction</a></b><br>As God's people, we are called to live distinctively, avoiding the practices of surrounding cultures that contradict God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Violating God's laws, especially in family matters, leads to personal and communal harm, emphasizing the need for adherence to His statutes.<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/why_doesn't_jesus_condemn_homosexuality.htm">If homosexuality is a sin, why doesn't Jesus explicitly condemn it?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'uncover_nakedness'_mean.htm">What does "uncover the nakedness" mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_disrespect.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on disrespect?</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>(7) <span class= "bld">The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother.</span>--The rendering of the Authorised Version is based upon the interpretation which obtained during the second Temple, according to which this injunction is addressed both to the daughter and the son. The daughter must not marry or have commerce with the father, nor the son with the mother. Hence the Chaldee Version of Jonathan translates it "the woman shall not lie with her father, and the man shall not lie with his mother." Accordingly the case here contemplated is that of Lot's daughters (<a href="/context/genesis/19-31.htm" title="And the firstborn said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth:">Genesis 19:31-38</a>). This passage may, however, be translated literally, <span class= "ital">the nakedness of thy father, and the nakedness of thy mother shalt thou not uncover. </span>That is, they being both one flesh, the nakedness of the one is the nakedness of the other. Amongst the Persians and other eastern nations, marriage between son and mother was allowed.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 7, 8.</span> - Incest with a stepmother is placed next after that with a mother. On account of the unity caused by marriage ("they shall be one flesh," <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>), the stepmother's nakedness <span class="cmt_word">is the father's nakedness</span>. The tie of affinity is thus declared to be similar in its effects to the tie of consanguinity. Reuben's sin, by which he forfeited his birthright, is connected with this offense, but is of a more heinous character, as his father was alive at the time of his transgression (<a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Genesis 49:4</a>). It is one of the sins which Ezekiel enumerates as those which brought the judgment of God on Israel (<a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Ezekiel 22:10</a>). "That one should have his father's wife" is declared by St. Paul to be "such fornication as is not named among the Gentiles," and to call for the excommunication of the offender (<a href="/1_corinthians/5-1.htm">1 Corinthians 5:1-5</a>). Adonijah's marriage with Abishag, so strongly resented by Solomon on political grounds, is not denounced as morally reprehensible, probably because Abishag was not the wife of David in such a way as to cause the marriage with his son to be abominable in the eye of the law (cf. <a href="/1_kings/1-4.htm">1 Kings 1:4</a> with <a href="/amos/2-7.htm">Amos 2:7</a>). Absalom's" going in unto his father's concubines" was regarded as the final act which made reconciliation with his father impossible (<a href="/2_samuel/16-22.htm">2 Samuel 16:22</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3</a>). The history of the Church has shown that marriage with the stepmother has had to be again and again prohibited by Council after Council (see Smith and Cheetham's 'Dictionary of Antiquities,' <span class="accented">s.v.</span> 'Prohibited Degrees'). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/18-7.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">expose 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 your father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֛יךָ</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">by having sexual relations with</span><br /><span class="heb">תְגַלֵּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·ḡal·lêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second 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">your mother.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמְּךָ֖</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">She</span><br /><span class="heb">הִ֔וא</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 mother;</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמְּךָ֣</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">you must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</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">תְגַלֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·ḡal·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second 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">her.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶרְוָתָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘er·wā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6172.htm">Strong's 6172: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nakedness</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/18-7.htm">Leviticus 18:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/18-7.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 18:7 You shall not uncover the nakedness (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 18:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 18:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:8" /></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>