Leviticus 18:15

KJV

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she [is] thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not uncover {H1540} the nakedness {H6172} of thy daughter in law {H3618}: she is thy son's {H1121} wife {H802}; thou shalt not uncover {H1540} her nakedness {H6172}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law; because she is your son's wife. Do not have sexual relations with her.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 18:15 prohibits a man from having sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, explicitly stating that she is his son's wife. This command is an integral part of God's comprehensive list of forbidden sexual relationships, designed to establish and maintain the moral purity, social order, and distinct holiness of the Israelite community, setting them apart from the corrupt practices prevalent in surrounding pagan cultures. It underscores the sanctity of marital bonds and the integrity of the family unit as foundational elements of a covenantal society.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 18:15 is situated within a broader chapter, [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations"), which details a comprehensive list of illicit sexual unions. This chapter opens with a divine command for Israel to "do my judgments, and keep my ordinances, to walk therein" ([Leviticus 18:4](/leviticus/18-4 "Leviticus 18:4 - Keep My Judgments and Ordinances")), immediately distinguishing God's standards from the practices of Egypt and Canaan. The prohibitions range from various forms of incest (e.g., mother, sister, granddaughter) to bestiality and child sacrifice, culminating in a warning about the land "vomiting out" those who defile it with such abominations ([Leviticus 18:28](/leviticus/18-28 "Leviticus 18:28 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants")). Within this framework, the prohibition against a man uncovering the nakedness of his daughter-in-law is a specific injunction safeguarding the integrity of the nuclear family and the sanctity of marriage within that structure, reinforcing the principle that marriage creates new, distinct family units that must be respected.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations") were given to ancient Israel as they stood on the cusp of entering the land of Canaan, a region notorious for its moral depravity. Archaeological and textual evidence from the ancient Near East, particularly regarding Canaanite and Egyptian societies, indicates that many of the practices explicitly forbidden in this chapter, including various forms of incest, cultic prostitution, and child sacrifice, were common. For instance, Egyptian pharaohs sometimes married their sisters to maintain royal bloodlines, and cultic practices in Canaan often involved sexual rituals. God's commands in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus") were therefore not merely arbitrary rules but a divine mandate to establish a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. The call to be holy, "for I am holy" ([Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")), permeated every aspect of Israelite life, including their sexual ethics. By prohibiting relations with a daughter-in-law, God directly countered cultural norms that blurred familial and sexual boundaries, ensuring the purity and stability of Israelite families, which were the foundational units of their covenantal society.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nakedness (Hebrew, _ervah_):** This term, frequently used in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations"), refers literally to the genitalia or a state of being unclothed. However, in the phrase "uncover the nakedness" (Hebrew, _gilui ervah_), it functions as a legal and moral euphemism for sexual intercourse. It implies not merely exposure but a full, intimate sexual act. The use of this term throughout the chapter underscores the gravity of the forbidden sexual acts, indicating that they are not just social taboos but profound violations of divine order and purity.
* **Daughter in law (Hebrew, _kallah_):** This term specifically denotes the wife of one's son. The relationship is clearly defined, emphasizing the familial bond established through marriage. The prohibition acknowledges the daughter-in-law as a distinct member of the extended family unit, whose marital bond with the son must be respected and protected by the father-in-law.
* **Son's wife (Hebrew, _'eshet bino_):** This phrase serves as the explicit rationale for the prohibition. It highlights that the woman in question is already bound in a sacred covenant of marriage to the man's son. This legal and relational status renders her off-limits, emphasizing the sanctity of the marital bond and the severe disruption that such an act would cause within the immediate family structure, violating both the son's marriage and the father's moral responsibility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law":** This is a direct, apodictic command, characteristic of the Holiness Code. It unequivocally forbids sexual intercourse between a man and his son's wife. The use of "uncover the nakedness" euphemistically yet powerfully conveys the illicit nature of the sexual act, marking it as a defilement.
* **"she [is] thy son's wife":** This clause provides the explicit justification for the prohibition. It grounds the command in the existing marital relationship. The daughter-in-law's status as "thy son's wife" means she is already in a sacred, exclusive covenant with the son, and any sexual act with the father-in-law would be a profound violation of that covenant, an act of adultery against the son, and a disruption of the family's integrity.
* **"thou shalt not uncover her nakedness":** The repetition of the prohibition serves to emphasize its gravity and finality. This reiteration underscores the absolute nature of the command, leaving no room for ambiguity. It reinforces the seriousness of violating this particular familial and marital boundary.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 18:15 employs several literary devices to convey its message with clarity and force. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, specifically the phrase "uncover the nakedness," which serves as a polite yet potent substitute for direct reference to sexual intercourse. This device allows the text to discuss sensitive topics without explicit vulgarity, while simultaneously highlighting the profound moral and spiritual implications of the forbidden acts. The use of **Repetition** is also evident in the verse, with the phrase "thou shalt not uncover her nakedness" appearing twice. This repetition is not redundant but serves to emphasize the absolute nature of the prohibition, underscoring its importance and the severe consequences of its violation. Furthermore, the verse exemplifies **Legal Formulation**, presenting an apodictic (absolute, unconditional) command. This direct, declarative style is typical of the Holiness Code, emphasizing the divine authority behind the law and its non-negotiable character. The clarity and directness of the language ensure that the command is easily understood and its violation unequivocally condemned.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 18:15, like the broader chapter, profoundly connects to the overarching theological theme of God's holiness and His demand for His people to reflect that holiness in their lives. The prohibition against sexual relations with a daughter-in-law is not merely a social rule but a divine standard for purity, designed to protect the sanctity of marriage and the integrity of the family unit, which are foundational to a righteous society. This command underscores that marriage is a sacred covenant established by God, and any act that defiles or undermines it is an affront to His divine order. It teaches that boundaries within family relationships are divinely ordained for protection and flourishing, preventing chaos, moral decay, and the blurring of roles that would inevitably lead to societal breakdown.

* [Leviticus 20:12](/leviticus/20-12 "Leviticus 20:12 - Penalty for Incest with Daughter-in-Law")
* [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - Paul Rebukes Incest in Corinth")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage is Honorable")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 18:15, while rooted in the ancient Israelite context, provides timeless principles for reflection and application in contemporary life. It profoundly reminds us that God is deeply concerned with the purity and integrity of our relationships, especially within the family. This command calls believers to a high standard of sexual morality, emphasizing that sexual intimacy is sacred and reserved exclusively for the covenant of marriage. It challenges us to honor and protect the marital bonds of others, recognizing that to violate these boundaries, even indirectly, is to sow discord and undermine the very fabric of family and society. For us today, it means cultivating a heart that respects God's design for marriage, maintains healthy and appropriate boundaries in all relationships, and actively pursues holiness in thought, word, and deed, reflecting Christ's character in every sphere of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this command highlight the importance of clear boundaries within family relationships today, and what are practical ways to uphold them?**
* **In what ways does society's view of sexual ethics differ from God's unchanging standards as revealed in this passage, and how should believers respond to this disparity?**
* **How can we actively honor and protect the sanctity of marriage, both our own and others', in our words, actions, and even our thoughts?**

### FAQ
**Why is this specific relationship forbidden, and what are its broader implications?**

Answer: This relationship is forbidden primarily because the woman is "thy son's wife," meaning she is already in a sacred marital covenant with the man's son. Engaging in sexual relations with her would constitute adultery against the son, a profound betrayal of family trust, and a severe violation of God's established order for marriage and family. The broader implications are significant: it safeguards the integrity of the nuclear family, prevents confusion of lineage and roles, and upholds the sanctity of the marital bond as exclusive and inviolable. It also reinforces the principle that marriage creates new, distinct family units that must be respected by the original family.

**Is this law still relevant for believers today, given its Old Testament context?**

Answer: Absolutely. While the specific legal context is ancient Israel, the underlying moral principles are eternal and universally applicable. The prohibition against incest and adultery, of which this command is a specific instance, reflects God's unchanging character and His design for human sexuality and relationships. The New Testament consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage and calls believers to sexual purity, echoing the spirit of these Old Testament laws. For example, [1 Thessalonians 4:3](/1_thessalonians/4-3 "1 Thessalonians 4:3 - God's Will for Sanctification") states, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication," and [1 Corinthians 6:18](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Fornication") commands believers to "Flee fornication." The specific prohibition in [Leviticus 18:15](/leviticus/18-15 "Leviticus 18:15 - Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law") serves as a powerful reminder of God's high standard for sexual morality and the importance of respecting familial and marital boundaries.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prohibitions in Leviticus, including that of Leviticus 18:15, reveal the holy standard of God and humanity's inherent inability to perfectly fulfill it, thus pointing to the need for a Savior. While these laws established a distinct moral code for Israel, their ultimate purpose was to highlight sin and the necessity of redemption. In Christ, the moral essence of these laws is not abolished but fulfilled and elevated. Jesus did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He expands the concept of purity beyond outward actions to the very intentions of the heart, as seen in His teaching on lust ([Matthew 5:27-28](/matthew/5-27-28 "Matthew 5:27-28 - Jesus on Adultery and Lust")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ provides the righteousness that the Law demands and the power for believers to live in genuine holiness. The Holy Spirit, given to those who believe, enables them to walk "not after the flesh, but after the Spirit," fulfilling "the righteousness of the law" ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ")). Thus, the call to sexual purity and the honoring of marital bonds, exemplified in Leviticus 18:15, finds its ultimate empowerment and deepest meaning in Christ, who calls His followers to be holy as God is holy ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy as God is Holy")) and to flee all forms of sexual immorality ([Ephesians 5:3](/ephesians/5-3 "Ephesians 5:3 - No Immorality Among Believers")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.