King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'You are not to have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter, nor are you to have sexual relations with her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter; they are close relatives of hers, and it would be shameful.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not uncover{H1540} the nakedness{H6172} of a woman{H802} and her daughter{H1323}, neither shalt thou take{H3947} her son's{H1121} daughter{H1323}, or her daughter's{H1323} daughter{H1323}, to uncover{H1540} her nakedness{H6172}; for they are her near kinswomen{H7608}: it is wickedness{H2154}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 20:14
- And if a man take a wife and her mother, it [is] wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
Amos 2:7
- That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the [same] maid, to profane my holy name:
Deuteronomy 27:23
- Cursed [be] he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 18:17
Leviticus 18:17 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with laws concerning sexual relations. The verse specifically prohibits a man from having sexual relations with a woman and her daughter, as well as other close female relatives within the family, such as a woman's granddaughter, whether through her son or daughter. The language of "uncovering nakedness" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.
The historical context of this verse is within the Holiness Code of Leviticus, which contains a series of regulations given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt and while they were in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. These laws were intended to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to establish a standard of holiness and moral purity among God's people. The prohibitions against incest and other forms of forbidden sexual relations were an important part of maintaining the social and familial order within the community.
The themes of Leviticus 18:17 include the sanctity of family relationships, the importance of maintaining clear boundaries to prevent moral confusion and corruption, and the promotion of social harmony by avoiding behaviors that could lead to conflict and dysfunction within the family structure. By forbidding these acts, the verse underscores the idea that certain relationships are so close that they are considered inviolable, and any sexual activity within these bounds is seen as a grave offense against the natural order and the community's moral fabric. The verse categorizes such actions as "wickedness," indicating that they are not only against the law but also inherently wrong and detrimental to the well-being of the society.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1540
There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּלָה
Transliteration: gâlâh
Pronunciation: gaw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal; [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. - Strong's Number: H6172
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶרְוָה
Transliteration: ʻervâh
Pronunciation: er-vaw'
Description: from עָרָה; nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish); nakedness, shame, unclean(-ness). - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H7608
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׁאֲרָה
Transliteration: shaʼărâh
Pronunciation: shah-ar-aw'
Description: feminine of שְׁאֵר; female kindred by blood; near kinswomen. - Strong's Number: H2154
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זִמָּה
Transliteration: zimmâh
Pronunciation: zim-maw'
Description: or זַמָּה; from זָמַם; a plan, especially a bad one; heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness).