Leviticus 20:12

KJV

And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood [shall be] upon them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a man {H376} lie {H7901} with his daughter in law {H3618}, both {H8147} of them shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}: they have wrought {H6213} confusion {H8397}; their blood {H1818} shall be upon them.

Complete Jewish Bible

If a man goes to bed with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death; they have committed a perversion, and their blood is on them.

Berean Standard Bible

If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both must surely be put to death. They have acted perversely; their blood is upon them.

American Standard Version

And if a man lie with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:12 prescribes the death penalty for a man who has sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, declaring that both parties have "wrought confusion" and are culpable for their own demise. This severe prohibition underscores the sanctity of family relationships, the demand for sexual purity within the Mosaic Covenant, and the profound defilement that such incestuous acts brought upon the individuals and the community, violating God's established order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 20:12 is situated within a larger section of the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 18-20) that meticulously defines the boundaries of holiness for the Israelite community, particularly concerning sexual conduct and moral purity. While Leviticus 18 lists various prohibited sexual relations, including the one with a daughter-in-law in [Leviticus 18:15](/leviticus/18-15 "Leviticus 18:15 - Prohibition Against Daughter-in-Law"), chapter 20 reiterates many of these prohibitions, crucially adding the specific penalties for their transgression. This repetition with the inclusion of judicial consequences emphasizes the gravity of these sins and their direct impact on the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting that violations of these laws were not merely social infractions but offenses against God's holy character. The surrounding verses in [Leviticus 20](/leviticus/20 "Leviticus 20 - Penalties for Unholy Practices") detail similar capital punishments for other sexual sins (e.g., adultery, homosexuality, bestiality) and idolatry, reinforcing a consistent theme of absolute separation from pagan practices and a call to radical holiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws in Leviticus were given to ancient Israel as they transitioned from slavery in Egypt to becoming a distinct, holy nation in the land of Canaan. The surrounding cultures, particularly the Canaanites, were notorious for practices that directly contravened God's moral standards, including widespread sexual immorality, cultic prostitution, and various forms of incest (as hinted at in [Leviticus 18:3](/leviticus/18-3 "Leviticus 18:3 - Not to Follow Customs of Egypt or Canaan")). God's intention was to establish Israel as a people set apart, whose purity and moral order would reflect His own holiness and serve as a light to the nations. The family unit was the foundational structure of Israelite society, and its integrity was paramount for maintaining social order and spiritual purity. Incestuous relationships, such as with a daughter-in-law, were seen as a profound violation of natural order, a desecration of family sanctity, and an act that "defiled" both the individuals and the land itself, as suggested in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants"). The prescribed death penalty served as a stark deterrent and a means of purging such defilement from the community, ensuring the maintenance of the covenant's purity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lie with (Hebrew, _shakhav_):** This verb (שָׁכַב) is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse. In legal contexts like Leviticus, its use in conjunction with specific familial relationships clearly denotes illicit sexual relations. Its presence here unequivocally identifies the nature of the forbidden act.
* **wrought confusion (Hebrew, _tebhel_):** The Hebrew word (תֶּבֶל) is highly significant. It means "confusion," "mixture," "perversion," or "abomination." It refers to something that is fundamentally unnatural, a moral and social disorder that overturns the divinely established boundaries. It implies a profound corruption of order, particularly in the context of sexual relations that violate natural or familial distinctions. This term is used sparingly in the Old Testament, always denoting a grave perversion, emphasizing the extreme nature of the sin.
* **their blood [shall be] upon them (Hebrew, _damam bam_):** This is a legal formula frequently used in Leviticus and Ezekiel (e.g., [Ezekiel 18:13](/ezekiel/18-13 "Ezekiel 18:13 - His Blood Will Be On His Own Head")). It signifies self-culpability. The phrase indicates that the offenders are solely responsible for their own death; their actions have brought the judgment upon themselves, and the community is absolved of guilt in carrying out the prescribed penalty. It underscores divine justice and the direct consequence of violating God's holy laws.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a man lie with his daughter in law":** This clause precisely identifies the forbidden act: sexual intercourse between a man and his son's wife. This relationship is explicitly prohibited due to its close familial bond, which is considered incestuous and a violation of the sanctity of the family unit. The daughter-in-law, though not a blood relative in the direct line, is considered part of the immediate family through marriage, and relations with her would profoundly disrupt the household's integrity and purity.
* **"both of them shall surely be put to death":** This phrase prescribes the ultimate penalty for both the man and the daughter-in-law, indicating that both parties are held equally accountable and culpable for their participation in this grave sin. The "surely be put to death" (מוֹת יוּמָתוּ, _mot yumatu_) is a strong Hebrew idiom emphasizing the certainty and severity of the judgment. This capital punishment reflects the extreme seriousness with which God viewed such violations of family and moral order.
* **"they have wrought confusion":** This clause explains the inherent nature of the sin. The act is not merely a transgression of a rule but a "confusion" or "perversion" (תֶּבֶל, _tebhel_). It signifies an unnatural mixing, a fundamental disruption of the divinely ordained boundaries for human relationships and sexual conduct. It implies a deep moral disorder that contaminates the individuals and, by extension, the community.
* **"their blood [shall be] upon them":** This final clause reiterates the principle of self-culpability. It means that the responsibility for their death lies entirely with the offenders. They brought this judgment upon themselves through their actions. This legal declaration serves to clear the community and the executioners of any bloodguilt, affirming that the punishment is a just consequence of their sin and a necessary act to maintain the holiness of the covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:12 employs several literary devices to convey its message with force and clarity. The most prominent is **Legal Language**, characterized by its prescriptive and punitive nature ("if a man lie... both of them shall surely be put to death"). This direct, unambiguous phrasing leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding the prohibition and its consequences, typical of covenant law. **Repetition** of the death penalty across various sexual offenses in Leviticus 20 underscores the consistent and severe nature of God's judgment against such sins. The phrase "their blood [shall be] upon them" functions as a **Legal Formula**, a recurring idiom that clearly assigns culpability and absolves the community, reinforcing divine justice. Furthermore, the term "wrought confusion" (תֶּבֶל) serves as a potent **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. It is not merely a description of the act but a powerful indictment, symbolizing the profound moral and social disorder, the perversion of natural order, and the spiritual defilement that such incestuous acts represent, going beyond mere physical transgression to touch the very fabric of God's created order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:12 deeply embeds itself within the overarching theological framework of holiness, covenant fidelity, and divine justice. The prohibition against incest with a daughter-in-law, punishable by death, highlights God's unwavering demand for sexual purity and the sanctity of family relationships as foundational to a holy people. This law, like others in Leviticus, reveals God's character as a God of order, who establishes clear boundaries for human conduct, especially concerning intimacy, to reflect His own purity and to protect the integrity of His covenant community. The concept of "wrought confusion" underscores that sin is not merely a breaking of rules but a perversion of divine order, defiling both individuals and the land. The death penalty, with the declaration of "their blood upon them," serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of rebellion against God's holy standards, emphasizing human culpability and divine righteousness in judgment.

* [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - Paul Condemns Incest in Corinth")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific judicial penalties of the Mosaic Law are not directly applied in civil law today, the moral principles underlying Leviticus 20:12 remain profoundly relevant for believers. This verse calls us to a deep appreciation for God's design for human sexuality and family, recognizing that He has established boundaries not to restrict joy but to preserve purity, order, and flourishing relationships. It challenges us to uphold the sanctity of marriage and family as sacred institutions, resisting any form of sexual immorality or perversion that "wrought confusion" in God's sight. For followers of Christ, this means cultivating a heart of holiness, understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and living in a manner that honors God in all our relationships. It also reminds us that sin has serious consequences, and while Christ has borne the penalty for our sins, the call to live a life of moral integrity and purity remains central to our discipleship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of the penalty in Leviticus 20:12 shape our understanding of God's view on sexual purity and the sanctity of family?**
* **In what ways might modern society "wrought confusion" in its approach to sexual ethics and family structures, and how should believers respond?**
* **How does the New Testament's emphasis on internal purity (e.g., thoughts and desires) deepen our understanding of the principles found in this Old Testament law?**
* **What practical steps can individuals and communities take to uphold God's design for sexuality and family in a world that often contradicts it?**

### FAQ
**Why was the death penalty prescribed for this specific sin?**

Answer: The death penalty for sexual relations with a daughter-in-law, as well as other severe sexual offenses in [Leviticus 20](/leviticus/20 "Leviticus 20 - Penalties for Unholy Practices"), was prescribed because these acts were considered profound violations of God's holy order and the sanctity of the covenant community. Such incestuous relationships "wrought confusion" (תֶּבֶל, _tebhel_), meaning they introduced perversion and moral disorder that defiled the individuals and the land. The extreme penalty served multiple purposes: it underscored the gravity of the sin, acted as a deterrent, purged evil from the community, and demonstrated God's absolute commitment to holiness and justice for His people, who were called to be distinct from the pagan nations around them (see [Leviticus 18:24-25](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-25 - Do Not Defile Yourselves")).

**What does "wrought confusion" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "wrought confusion" translates the Hebrew word _tebhel_ (תֶּבֶל), which signifies an unnatural mixing, perversion, or abomination. In the context of sexual relations, it refers to an act that fundamentally corrupts or overturns the natural and moral boundaries established by God for human relationships. It implies a deep moral and social disorder that goes beyond mere physical transgression, polluting the family unit and the community. It is a strong term used for acts that are profoundly contrary to divine design, indicating a perversion of the very fabric of society and a direct affront to God's order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Leviticus 20:12, with its stark penalty, reveals the severity of sin and God's demand for holiness under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The Law, including these moral statutes, served as a "tutor" (as in [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")) to expose sin and point to humanity's need for a Savior. Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it, both in His perfect obedience and by bearing its curse on the cross for those who believe (as seen in [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law") and [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Under the New Covenant, the emphasis shifts from external legal compliance to internal transformation by the Holy Spirit. While the physical death penalty for such sins is no longer applied by the Church, the moral principle of sexual purity and the sanctity of family remains eternally binding. Believers are called to a higher standard, not merely avoiding outward acts of "confusion" but cultivating purity of heart and mind, empowered by the Spirit (as taught in [Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lust is Adultery of the Heart") and [Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")). Christ's sacrifice cleanses us from all defilement, and through Him, we are enabled to live lives of holiness, reflecting God's character and upholding His design for relationships in a way that truly honors Him (as in [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All You Do")).

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.