Leviticus 20:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You are not to have sexual relations with your mother's sister or your father's sister; a person who does this has had sexual relations with his close relative; they will bear the consequences of their wrongdoing.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister, nor of thy father’s sister; for he hath made naked his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt not uncover^{H1540} the nakedness^{H6172} of thy mother's^{H517} sister^{H269}, nor of thy father's^{H1} sister^{H269}: for he uncovereth^{H6168} his near kin^{H7607}: they shall bear^{H5375} their iniquity^{H5771}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 20:19

1. **Themes:**
- **Sexual Purity and Holiness:** Leviticus 20:19 emphasizes the importance of maintaining sexual purity within the Israelite community. The prohibition against uncovering the nakedness of one's aunt (either on the mother's or father's side) is part of a larger set of regulations concerning incest and inappropriate sexual relations.
- **Family Order and Kinship:** The verse reflects the need to maintain order and respect within the family structure. By forbidding sexual relations with aunts, the law reinforces the integrity of the extended family.
- **Moral and Ritual Cleanliness:** The theme of ritual cleanliness is also present, as sexual transgressions were thought to defile the land and the sanctuary, requiring atonement.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Israelite Society:** The book of Leviticus contains laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, while they were encamped at Mount Sinai. These laws were meant to shape the religious and social life of the Israelites as a distinct people consecrated to God.
- **Holiness Code:** Leviticus 20 falls within the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), which is a collection of laws emphasizing the holiness of God and the requirement for the Israelites to be holy as He is holy. This includes regulations on moral behavior, worship practices, and social conduct.
- **Ancient Near Eastern Context:** Incest taboos were not unique to the Israelites; many ancient Near Eastern societies had similar prohibitions. However, the specificity and extent of the incest laws in Leviticus reflect the unique covenantal relationship between God and Israel.
- **Legal and Cultic Framework:** The verse is part of a series of legal pronouncements concerning forbidden sexual relations (Leviticus 18 and 20). These laws were designed to distinguish the Israelites from their pagan neighbors and to prevent the defilement of the land that could result from such acts.

In summary, Leviticus 20:19 is a reflection of the broader themes of holiness, sexual purity, and the maintenance of proper family relationships within the context of Israelite society under the covenant with God. It serves as a moral and ritual directive to preserve the sanctity of the community and the individual's relationship with the divine.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. 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).
   
3. Strong's Number: H517
   There are 387 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵם
   Transliteration: ʼêm
   Pronunciation: ame
   Description: a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father)); dam, mother, [idiom] parting.
   
4. Strong's Number: H269
   There are 301 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָחוֹת
   Transliteration: ʼâchôwth
   Pronunciation: aw-khoth'
   Description: irregular feminine of אָח; a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively); (an-) other, sister, together.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6168
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָרָה
   Transliteration: ʻârâh
   Pronunciation: aw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish; leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7607
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁאֵר
   Transliteration: shᵉʼêr
   Pronunciation: sheh-ayr'
   Description: from שָׁאַר; flesh (as swelling out), as living or forfood; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood; body, flesh, food, (near) kin(-sman, -swoman), near (nigh) (of kin).
   
8. Strong's Number: H5375
   There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשָׂא
   Transliteration: nâsâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-saw'
   Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5771
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָוֺן
   Transliteration: ʻâvôn
   Pronunciation: aw-vone'
   Description: or עָווֹן; (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5 (אֲבַד)), from עָוָה; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.