Leviticus 18:8

The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it [is] thy father's nakedness.

The nakedness {H6172} of thy father's {H1} wife {H802} shalt thou not uncover {H1540}: it is thy father's {H1} nakedness {H6172}.

You are not to have sexual relations with your father's wife; that is your father's prerogative.

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

The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover; it is thy father’s nakedness.

Commentary

Leviticus 18:8 is part of the Holiness Code within the book of Leviticus, specifically detailing prohibited sexual relationships that were common among the pagan nations surrounding ancient Israel but forbidden for God's people. This verse states, "The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it [is] thy father's nakedness."

Context

Chapter 18 of Leviticus lays out a comprehensive list of illicit sexual unions and practices that God commanded the Israelites to avoid to maintain their moral and spiritual purity. These laws served to distinguish Israel from the corrupt practices of the Canaanites and Egyptians (Leviticus 18:3). The prohibition against "uncovering the nakedness of thy father's wife" refers to engaging in sexual relations with one's stepmother, whether the father is still alive or has passed away. This law underscores the sanctity of marital bonds and the importance of family purity within the Israelite community.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sexual Purity: A central theme throughout Leviticus, emphasizing God's demand for His people to live a life set apart from unholy practices.
  • Sanctity of Marriage: The law protects the integrity and sacredness of marital unions, even those of one's parents. The stepmother, by virtue of her marriage to the father, is considered an extension of the father's own intimacy.
  • Respect for Parental Relationships: This prohibition extends beyond the immediate act to uphold respect for the father's marital bond and the established family structure.
  • Distinction and Holiness: By adhering to these laws, Israel was to demonstrate its unique identity as God's holy nation, distinct from the morally depraved cultures around them.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "uncover nakedness" (Hebrew: 'ervah - עֶרְוָה) is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse. The profound statement, "it [is] thy father's nakedness," emphasizes the concept of marital union where two become one flesh, as first established in Genesis 2:24. Therefore, to violate the stepmother is to violate the father's own marital bond and intimacy, demonstrating a severe affront to the family unit and the divine order of marriage.

Related Scriptures

  • The general principle of avoiding incestuous relationships is introduced in Leviticus 18:6.
  • A similar prohibition with a prescribed penalty for violation is found in Leviticus 20:11.
  • This particular sin is also referenced in the New Testament as a serious moral transgression within the church context in 1 Corinthians 5:1, indicating its enduring moral significance.
  • Deuteronomy 27:20 pronounces a curse upon anyone who lies with his father's wife.

Practical Application

While specific ancient Israelite laws may seem distant, the underlying principles of Leviticus 18:8 remain profoundly relevant. This verse powerfully teaches the enduring importance of sexual purity, the sanctity of marital bonds, and the necessity of respecting family relationships. For believers today, it serves as a reminder to uphold God's standards for sexual morality and to live distinctively from the world's compromised values, reflecting His holiness in our personal lives and family structures. It calls us to honor the boundaries God has established for healthy and godly relationships.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 20:11 (5 votes)

    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 [shall be] upon them.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

  • Deuteronomy 27:20 (4 votes)

    Cursed [be] he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Deuteronomy 22:30 (4 votes)

    A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt.

  • Amos 2:7 (3 votes)

    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:

  • Genesis 49:4 (3 votes)

    Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou [it]: he went up to my couch.

  • Ezekiel 22:10 (2 votes)

    In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.