Leviticus Chapter 18

Unlawful Sexual Relations

(Matthew 5:27-30)

1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God. 3After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. 4Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. 5Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

6None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. 7The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 8The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness. 9The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. 10The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness. 11The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 12Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. 13Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman. 14Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. 15Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 16Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness. 17Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. 18Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.

19Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness. 20Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her. 21And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. 22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. 23Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.

24Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: 25And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. 26Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: 27(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) 28That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. 29For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. 30Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Unlawful Sexual Relations
(Matthew 5:27–30)

1 Yahweh said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am Yahweh your God. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived: and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you; neither shall you walk in their statutes. 4 You shall do my ordinances, and you shall keep my statutes, and walk in them: I am Yahweh your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances; which if a man does, he shall live in them: I am Yahweh.

6 “‘None of you shall approach anyone who are his close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Yahweh. 7 “‘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. 8 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife: it is your father’s nakedness. 9 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home, or born abroad. 10 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness: for theirs is your own nakedness. 11 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister. 12 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister: she is your father’s near kinswoman. 13 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister: for she is your mother’s near kinswoman. 14 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother, you shall not approach his wife: she is your aunt. 15 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law: she is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness. 16 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife: it is your brother’s nakedness. 17 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness. 18 “‘You shall not take a wife to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is yet alive.

19 “‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness. 20 “‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her. 21 “‘You shall not give any of your children to sacrifice to Molech; neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am Yahweh. 22 “‘You shall not lie with a man, as with a woman. That is detestable. 23 “‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it; neither shall any woman give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.

24 “‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. 25 The land was defiled: therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26 You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you; 27 (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land became defiled); 28 that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. 29 “‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them: I am Yahweh your God.’”

Unlawful Sexual Relations
(Matthew 5:27–30)

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: I am the LORD your God. 3 You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs.

4 You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God. 5 Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. a I am the LORD.

6 None of you are to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. b I am the LORD.

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.

8 You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.

9 You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.

10 You must not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, for that would shame your family.

11 You must not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.

12 You must not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.

13 You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s close relative.

14 You must not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations with her; she is your aunt.

15 You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; you are not to have sexual relations with her.

16 You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would shame your brother.

17 You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter and have sexual relations with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved.

18 You must not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is still alive.

19 You must not approach a woman to have sexual relations with her during her menstrual period.

20 You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her.

21 You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed c to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

22 You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.

23 You must not lie carnally with any animal, thus defiling yourself with it; a woman must not stand before an animal to mate with it; that is a perversion.

24 Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. 25 Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants.

26 But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. 27 For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. 28 So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you.

29 Therefore anyone who commits any of these abominations must be cut off from among his people. 30 You must keep My charge not to practice any of the abominable customs that were practiced before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the LORD your God.”

Footnotes:

5 a Cited in Romans 10:5 and Galatians 3:12; see also Ezekiel 20:11, 13, and 21.
6 b Literally to uncover (their) nakedness ; here and throughout this chapter
21 c Hebrew to make them pass through (the fire)

Unlawful Sexual Relations

(Matthew 5:27-30)

1And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the sons of Israel, and thou hast said unto them, I am Jehovah your God; 3according to the work of the land of Egypt in which ye have dwelt ye do not, and according to the work of the land of Canaan whither I am bringing you in, ye do not, and in their statutes ye walk not. 4My judgments ye do, and My statutes ye keep, to walk in them; I am Jehovah your God; 5and ye have kept My statutes and My judgments which man doth and liveth in them; I am Jehovah.

6None of you unto any relation of his flesh doth draw near to uncover nakedness; I am Jehovah. 7The nakedness of thy father and the nakedness of thy mother thou dost not uncover, she is thy mother; thou dost not uncover her nakedness. 8The nakedness of the wife of thy father thou dost not uncover; it is the nakedness of thy father. 9'The nakedness of thy sister, daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, born at home or born without; thou dost not uncover their nakedness. 10The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter: thou dost not uncover their nakedness; for theirs is thy nakedness. 11The nakedness of a daughter of thy father's wife, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister; thou dost not uncover her nakedness. 12The nakedness of a sister of thy father thou dost not uncover; she is a relation of thy father. 13The nakedness of thy mother's sister thou dost not uncover; for she is thy mother's relation. 14The nakedness of thy father's brother thou dost not uncover; unto his wife thou dost not draw near; she is thine aunt. 15The nakedness of thy daughter-in-law thou dost not uncover; she is thy son's wife; thou dost not uncover her nakedness. 16The nakedness of thy brother's wife thou dost not uncover; it is thy brother's nakedness. 17The nakedness of a woman and her daughter thou dost not uncover; her son's daughter, and her daughter's daughter thou dost not take to uncover her nakedness; they are her relations; it is wickedness. 18'And a woman unto another thou dost not take, to be an adversary, to uncover her nakedness beside her, in her life.

19'And unto a woman in the separation of her uncleanness thou dost not draw near to uncover her nakedness. 20'And unto the wife of thy fellow thou dost not give thy seed of copulation, for uncleanness with her. 21And of thy seed thou dost not give to pass over to the Molech; nor dost thou pollute the name of thy God; I am Jehovah. 22And with a male thou dost not lie as one lieth with a woman; abomination it is. 23And with any beast thou dost not give thy copulation, for uncleanness with it; and a woman doth not stand before a beast to lie down with it; confusion it is.

24'Ye are not defiled with all these, for with all these have the nations been defiled which I am sending away from before you; 25and the land is defiled, and I charge its iniquity upon it, and the land vomiteth out its inhabitants: 26and ye -- ye have kept My statutes and My judgments, and do not any of all these abominations, the native and the sojourner who is sojourning in your midst, 27(for all these abominations have the men of the land done who are before you, and the land is defiled), 28and the land doth not vomit you out in your defiling it, as it hath vomited out the nation which is before you; 29for any one who doth any of all these abominations -- even the persons who are doing so, have been cut off from the midst of their people; 30and ye have kept My charge, so as not to do any of the abominable statutes which have been done before you, and ye do not defile yourselves with them; I am Jehovah your God.'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Leviticus 18?

1.1Introduction to Leviticus 18

1.2Context of Leviticus 18

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Leviticus 18 Unique Insights

1.6Leviticus 18 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Leviticus 18 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Leviticus 18 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Leviticus 18?

Introduction to Leviticus 18

Leviticus 18 stands as a pivotal chapter in the Torah that establishes God’s holy standards for sexual relationships and family purity. This chapter reflects יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) profound concern for the sanctity of human relationships and His desire to set apart His people from the corrupting practices of the surrounding nations. The laws presented here weren’t merely arbitrary restrictions but were designed to protect the family unit and preserve the distinctive holiness that God desired for Israel.

The chapter’s placement immediately following the Day of Atonement regulations (Leviticus 16-17) is significant, as it moves from ritual purification to moral purity, demonstrating that true holiness encompasses both our relationship with God and our relationships with others.

Context of Leviticus 18

Within the book of Leviticus, chapter 18 marks a transition from the laws of ritual purity and sacrifice to the practical application of holiness in daily life. It forms part of the “Holiness Code” (Leviticus 17-26), which emphasizes Israel’s call to be distinct from other nations. This section repeatedly uses the phrase “I am יהוה your God,” reinforcing that these commands flow from God’s character and authority.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter serves as a foundation for sexual ethics that would distinguish Israel from the Canaanites whose land they were about to inherit. The prohibitions listed here are referenced throughout Scripture, from the prophets’ condemnation of sexual immorality to the New Testament’s teachings on holy living. Moreover, this chapter connects to Genesis 2:24, where God establishes His original design for marriage and human sexuality.

The laws in Leviticus 18 also foreshadow the spiritual adultery theme that prophets like Hosea would later use to describe Israel’s relationship with יהוה, making these regulations both practical and deeply symbolic of humanity’s covenant relationship with God.

Ancient Key Word Study

Ervah (ערוה) – “Nakedness/sexual relations”: This Hebrew term appears 24 times in this chapter alone and carries both literal and metaphorical significance. Beyond mere physical nakedness, it represents intimate relationships and vulnerability. The repetitive use emphasizes the sacred nature of sexual intimacy within God’s design.
Zimmah (זִמָּה) – “Wickedness/lewdness”: This powerful term describes acts that are not merely sinful but represent a calculated perversion of God’s order. It appears in verse 17 and carries the connotation of premeditated evil that disrupts social harmony.
Tevel (תֶּבֶל) – “Confusion/perversion”: Used in sexual prohibition contexts, this rare word literally means “mixture” and implies an unnatural combining that violates God’s created order. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper boundaries in relationships.
Chukot (חֻקּוֹת) – “Statutes”: This term refers to fixed, engraved laws that aren’t necessarily logical to human understanding but reflect God’s wisdom. It appears in verses 3-4, contrasting God’s ways with pagan practices.
Mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים) – “Ordinances”: Unlike chukot, these are logical laws whose purpose can be readily understood. The use of both terms together suggests that God’s sexual ethics combine both divine wisdom and practical benefit.
Tamei (טָמֵא) – “Defiled/unclean”: This ritual impurity term takes on moral significance in this chapter, showing how sexual sin affects both spiritual and social standing. It appears in verses 20 and 23.
Toevah (תּוֹעֵבָה) – “Abomination”: This strong term denotes something utterly detestable to God. Its use in this chapter emphasizes the severity of violating these sexual boundaries.
Vakhai (וָחַי) – “And live”: This key phrase in verse 5 suggests that these laws aren’t meant to restrict life but to enhance it. It’s the same word used in Ezekiel 20:11 regarding God’s life-giving statutes.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 3 contrasts “the doings of the land of Egypt” with “the doings of the land of Canaan,” using the Hebrew word ma’aseh (מַעֲשֵׂה) rather than derek (דֶּרֶךְ). This specific choice emphasizes actual practices rather than general lifestyle, highlighting the concrete nature of these prohibitions.
Verse 6’s phrase “approach to uncover nakedness” (לְגַלּוֹת עֶרְוָה) uses legal terminology that could have been expressed more directly. This formal construction emphasizes the gravity of these laws and their binding nature.
The repeated phrase “I am יהוה” appears 6 times, using the divine name rather than Elohim, emphasizing the personal, covenantal nature of these commands rather than just divine authority.
Verse 21’s prohibition against Molech worship is placed amid sexual prohibitions, using the word “profane” (לְחַלֵּל) rather than “defile,” connecting idolatry with sexual immorality in a way that would later become prophetically significant.
The chapter’s conclusion uses three different words for “abomination” (תּוֹעֵבָה, זִמָּה, תֶּבֶל), each carrying distinct connotations, creating a comprehensive condemnation of these practices.

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Leviticus 18 Unique Insights

The chapter’s structure reveals a fascinating chiastic pattern that places family relationships at its center. This literary device emphasizes the family unit as the foundation of social order and spiritual health. The prohibitions move from closest family members outward, reflecting ancient Near Eastern legal codes but with distinctive theological emphasis.

Rabbinic tradition finds significance in the chapter’s placement after Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The Talmud (Yoma 85b) connects this to the idea that sexual purity requires the same level of dedication as spiritual atonement. The medieval commentator Rashi notes that the chapter’s opening phrase “Speak to the children of Israel” suggests these laws apply equally to men and women, unusual for ancient legal codes.

The prohibition against child sacrifice to Molech seemingly interrupts the sexual regulations, but early Jewish commentators saw this as intentional. The Midrash Rabbah suggests this teaches that improper sexual relationships can lead to idolatry, viewing both as violations of proper boundaries between the holy and profane.

The chapter’s concluding warning about the land “vomiting out” its inhabitants uses unprecedented personification in biblical law. This metaphor appears nowhere else in ancient Near Eastern legal texts, suggesting the unique Israelite understanding of creation’s active role in God’s moral order.

Leviticus 18 Connections to Yeshua

The Messiah’s teaching in Matthew 5:17-20 affirms the enduring moral principles established in Leviticus 18. While Yeshua fulfilled the ceremonial aspects of the law, He intensified its moral demands, emphasizing that holiness begins in the heart. His confrontations with the Pharisees often centered on their neglect of the spirit of the law while maintaining its letter.

The Apostle Paul’s teachings on sexual purity in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 draw directly from Leviticus 18’s principles, connecting them to our identity as temples of the Holy Spirit. This reveals how the Messiah’s work doesn’t abolish these boundaries but provides the power through His Spirit to live them out from transformed hearts.

Leviticus 18 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter’s principles reverberate throughout Scripture, from the prophets’ use of sexual imagery to describe spiritual faithfulness (Ezekiel 16) to Paul’s teachings on the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The connection between sexual purity and spiritual fidelity becomes a major theme in Hosea, where Israel’s spiritual adultery is portrayed through the prophet’s marriage.

The New Testament’s teachings on sexual ethics in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 and Romans 1:18-32 draw heavily from Leviticus 18’s principles. The early church’s decision in Acts 15:29 to require Gentile believers to abstain from sexual immorality shows the enduring relevance of these laws.

Leviticus 18 Devotional

In our modern context, where cultural attitudes toward sexuality often directly oppose biblical standards, Leviticus 18 calls us to radical holiness. These laws remind us that our bodies and relationships are sacred spaces where God’s holiness should be displayed. Just as Israel was called to be distinct from surrounding nations, we’re called to live differently from the prevailing culture.

The chapter teaches us that true freedom isn’t found in removing boundaries but in living within God’s wise limits. Each prohibition can be viewed positively as protecting something valuable – the family unit, human dignity, and our relationship with God. Through the Messiah’s redemptive work, we have both the obligation and the power to live out these principles.

Did You Know

The Hebrew text uses the divine name יהוה (YHWH) 21 times in this chapter, emphasizing the personal, covenantal nature of these sexual ethics rather than presenting them as mere legal codes.
Archaeological evidence from ancient Canaan confirms the historical accuracy of the practices prohibited in this chapter, including temple prostitution and child sacrifice.
The chapter’s organization follows a pattern found in other ancient Near Eastern legal codes but with unique theological emphasis and humanitarian concerns.
The phrase “I am יהוה” appears at strategic points, creating a rhythmic structure that ancient Hebrew readers would have recognized as emphasizing divine authority.
The prohibition against child sacrifice to Molech is the only non-sexual prohibition in the chapter, suggesting a connection between sexual immorality and idolatry in ancient practice.
The term “uncover nakedness” (גלה ערוה) is a legal euphemism that appears 24 times in this chapter but rarely elsewhere in the Bible.
The chapter’s warnings about the land “vomiting out” its inhabitants uses unprecedented personification in ancient legal literature.
The placement of these laws after the Day of Atonement regulations suggests a rabbinic understanding that sexual purity requires the same level of dedication as spiritual cleansing.
The prohibitions move from closest family members outward, reflecting an ancient Near Eastern legal pattern called “graded prohibitions.”

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