TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 20:10–21. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Sins against the seventh commandment are here ordered to be severely punished. These are sins which, of all others, fools are most apt to make a mock at; but God would teach those the heinousness of the guilt by the extremity of the punishment that would not otherwise be taught it.
I.Lying with another man's wife was made a capital crime.
The adulterer and the adulteress that had joined in the sin must fall alike under the sentence: they shall both be put to death, Lev 20:10. Long before this, even in Job's time, this was reputed a heinous crime and an iniquity to be punished by the judges, Job 31:11. It is a presumptuous contempt of an ordinance of God, and a violation of his covenant, Pro 2:17. It is an irreparable wrong to the injured husband, and debauches the mind and conscience of both the offenders as much as any thing. It is a sin which headstrong and unbridled lusts hurry men violently to, and therefore it needs such a powerful restraint as this. It is a sin which defiles a land and brings down God's judgments upon it, which disquiets families, and tends to the ruin of all virtue and religion, and therefore is fit to be animadverted upon by the conservators of the public peace: but see Joh 8:3-11.
II.Incestuous connections, whether by marriage or not.
1.Some of them were to be punished with death, as a man's lying with his father's wife, Lev 20:11. Reuben would have been put to death for his crime (Gen 35:22) if this law had been then made. It was the sin of the incestuous Corinthian, for which he was to be delivered unto Satan, Co1 5:1, Co1 5:5. A man's debauching his daughter-in-law, or his mother-in-law, or his sister, was likewise to be punished with death, Lev 20:12, Lev 20:14, Lev 20:17.
2.Others of them God would punish with the curse of barrenness, as a man's defiling his aunt, or his brother's wife (Lev 20:19-21): They shall die childless. Those that keep not within the divine rules of marriage forfeit the blessings of marriage: They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase, Hos 4:10. Nay it is said, They shall bear their iniquity, that is, though they be not immediately cut off by the hand either of God or man for this sin, yet the guilt of it shall lie upon them, to be reckoned for another day, and not be purged with sacrifice or offering.
III.The unnatural lusts of sodomy and bestiality (sins not to be mentioned without horror) were to be punished with death, as they are at this day by our law, Lev 20:13, Lev 20:15, Lev 20:16. Even the beast that was thus abused was to be killed with the sinner, who was thereby openly put to the greater shame: and the villany was thus represented as in the highest degree execrable and abominable, all occasions of the remembrance or mention of it being to be taken away. Even the unseasonable use of the marriage, if presumptuous, and in contempt of the law, would expose the offenders to the just judgment of God: they shall be cut off, Lev 20:18. For this is the will of God, that every man should possess his vessel (and the wife is called the weaker vessel) in sanctification and honour, as becomes saints.
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Summary
Leviticus 20:14 prescribes a severe capital punishment by fire for a man who takes both a wife and her mother, an act deemed "wickedness." This specific prohibition underscores the extreme abhorrence of such an incestuous union within the Israelite covenant community, emphasizing God's absolute demand for sexual purity and the sanctity of family relationships, with the ultimate goal of purging profound moral defilement from the midst of His holy people and maintaining the integrity of their covenant with Him.
Context
Literary Context
Leviticus 20:14 is strategically placed within a pivotal section of the Pentateuch (Leviticus 18-20) that meticulously delineates God's laws concerning sexual morality, the sanctity of family, and the broader call to holiness for the nation of Israel. Chapter 18 establishes a comprehensive list of forbidden sexual relationships, including various forms of incest, bestiality, and homosexual acts, thereby laying the foundational principles of purity. Chapter 19 then expands upon these ethical and ritual laws, all framed by the overarching divine command, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" Leviticus 19:2. Chapter 20 specifically details the severe penalties for violating many of the prohibitions outlined in Chapter 18, demonstrating the gravity of these sins and God's unwavering commitment to maintaining the moral and spiritual integrity of His covenant people. The inclusion of this particular prohibition immediately following other capital offenses like child sacrifice and adultery highlights its extreme severity and defiling nature within the divine legal code.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, while some societies exhibited varying degrees of sexual permissiveness, certain incestuous relations were generally recognized as taboo. However, Israel's laws, as divinely revealed, established a uniquely high standard, sharply distinguishing them from surrounding pagan cultures where practices like cultic prostitution and certain incestuous unions were sometimes tolerated or even integrated into religious rituals. The severity of the punishment—burning with fire—was reserved for sins of exceptional heinousness and defilement, such as child sacrifice Leviticus 20:5 and specific forms of sexual immorality. This method of execution was not merely punitive but also profoundly symbolic, aiming to utterly eradicate the "wickedness" and its contaminating influence from the community, thereby preventing corporate defilement that could provoke divine judgment upon the entire nation. The concluding phrase "that there be no wickedness among you" underscores the corporate responsibility of the community to uphold God's standards and purge evil from their midst, ensuring the nation's continued covenant relationship with Yahweh and their distinct identity as a holy people.
Key Themes
Leviticus 20:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of Holiness, which permeates the entire book, emphasizing God's intrinsic purity and His call for His people to reflect His character in all aspects of their lives, including their sexual conduct and family relationships. This verse also highlights the Sanctity of Marriage and Family, demonstrating that these institutions are divinely ordained and must be protected from defilement. The severe penalty underscores the theme of Consequences of Sin, particularly the corporate repercussions, as individual acts of "wickedness" (Hebrew: zimmâh) could defile the entire community and jeopardize their covenant standing. Finally, the explicit command to purge "wickedness" speaks to the theme of Maintaining Communal Purity, illustrating God's demand for His people to actively remove moral corruption from their midst to preserve their distinct identity as a holy nation set apart for Him, as seen in the broader context of the laws against abominable practices Leviticus 18:24-30.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term denotes not merely an error or a minor transgression, but a pre-meditated, scandalous, and morally perverse act. It implies a deliberate scheme or plan that results in profound defilement, disgrace, and shame. In the context of Leviticus, zimmâh is consistently used for the most egregious sexual offenses that violate the very fabric of family and community, signifying an abomination in God's eyes that demands severe judgment and is identified as a "heinous crime."
This primitive root means "to be (causatively, set) on fire." In this context, it is a direct and literal instruction for execution by burning. This form of capital punishment was exceptionally severe and rare, reserved for offenses considered to be utterly defiling and disruptive to the covenant community. It symbolized a complete and purifying destruction of the offenders, aiming to cleanse the land and the people from the contamination of such egregious sin, thereby preventing its spread and ensuring the holiness of the nation.
Verse Breakdown
"And if a man take a wife and her mother"
This clause describes the specific incestuous act being condemned. The verb "take" (לָקַח, laqach, H3947) here implies not merely casual sexual relations but a formal or informal marital union, or at least a sustained sexual relationship, with both a woman (אִשָּׁה, ʼishshâh, H802) and her mother (אֵם, ʼêm, H517). This directly violates the clear prohibition against marrying both a woman and her daughter found in Leviticus 18:17, extending it to the mother-daughter relationship, which is equally, if not more, egregious due to the foundational family bonds involved and the inherent moral perversion.
"it [is] wickedness"
This declarative statement uses the strong term zimmâh (זִמָּה, H2154), emphasizing the inherent moral depravity and scandalous nature of the act. It is not merely a legal transgression but an act of profound moral perversion that defiles the individuals, the family, and the entire community, marking it as a heinous crime in God's sight.
"they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they"
This specifies the capital punishment for all parties involved in the act. The man (אִישׁ, ʼîysh, H376), the wife, and the mother are all subject to execution by burning (שָׂרַף, sâraph, H8313, with אֵשׁ, ʼêsh, H784, for "fire"), indicating the shared culpability and the extreme severity with which God views this particular sin. The collective punishment underscores the defiling nature of the sin for all participants and the necessity of its complete eradication.
"that there be no wickedness among you"
This concluding phrase reveals the overarching purpose of such severe judgment. The execution serves as a means of purging the community of this profound moral defilement, preventing its spread and ensuring the corporate holiness of Israel. It is a protective measure designed to maintain the purity of the covenant people and their relationship with God, highlighting the communal impact of individual sin and the divine imperative for a holy nation.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with absolute clarity and force. The most prominent is Legal Language, characterized by its direct, prescriptive, and declarative tone ("And if a man take...", "it is wickedness", "they shall be burnt"). This precise legal formulation leaves no ambiguity regarding the offense or its consequence, reinforcing the absolute authority of the divine law and the non-negotiable nature of its demands. Symbolism is profoundly evident in the prescribed punishment of "burning with fire." Fire, throughout Scripture, often symbolizes divine judgment, consuming wrath, and purification, suggesting that this extreme measure is intended to utterly consume and purge the defilement from the community, preventing its spread like a moral contagion. The phrase "that there be no wickedness among you" functions as a Purpose Clause, explicitly stating the rationale behind the severe penalty: the maintenance of communal holiness and the eradication of moral corruption. This highlights the corporate dimension of sin and punishment within the Old Covenant, where individual transgressions could defile the entire nation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 20:14 powerfully articulates God's unwavering standard for sexual purity and the sanctity of family, foundational elements for a holy covenant community. The severe judgment underscores the gravity with which God views sins that violate natural order and defile fundamental human relationships, reflecting His own perfect holiness. This law is not merely about social order but about reflecting the character of a holy God in the lives of His people, where purity in relationships is a testament to His design for creation and covenant faithfulness. The concept of purging "wickedness" from the community reveals that individual sin has corporate consequences, emphasizing the interconnectedness of God's people and their collective responsibility to uphold divine standards. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God's holiness demands a people set apart, free from the defilement of the surrounding nations.
Reflection and Application
While the specific judicial penalties of the Old Covenant are not directly applied in New Testament ethics, the underlying principles of God's absolute standards for sexual purity, the sanctity of marriage, and the family unit remain timeless and eternally relevant. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the profound seriousness with which God views sexual sin, particularly those acts that violate the sacred bonds of family and defile human relationships. For believers today, this passage calls us to a radical commitment to purity in thought, word, and deed, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that sexual immorality is a sin against our own bodies and against God. It challenges us to uphold God's design for marriage and family as sacred institutions and to actively cultivate a community where holiness is valued and pursued, ensuring that our lives reflect the character of the God we serve. The principle of purging "wickedness" from our midst translates into a call for repentance, accountability, and a commitment to spiritual integrity within the church, where sin is addressed with both grace and truth, fostering an environment where purity is pursued collectively.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the punishment for this specific sin so severe, involving burning?
The punishment of burning was reserved for sins of exceptional heinousness and defilement within the Old Testament law. In the case of a man taking both a wife and her mother, it constituted a profound violation of the natural order, family sanctity, and divine decree, representing a severe form of incest that brought deep shame and moral corruption. Burning symbolized a complete and purifying destruction, aiming to utterly eradicate the "wickedness" from the community and prevent its contaminating influence from spreading, thus maintaining the holiness of Israel as God's chosen people. This severity underscored God's absolute abhorrence of such acts and His commitment to a pure covenant community, as seen in other capital offenses like child sacrifice Leviticus 20:5.
Does this Old Testament law have any relevance for Christians today, given that we are not under the Mosaic Law?
While Christians are not under the specific judicial penalties of the Mosaic Law, the underlying moral principles and God's unchanging character remain eternally relevant. This verse powerfully conveys God's absolute standard for sexual purity and the sanctity of family, which are foundational to His design for humanity. The New Testament affirms the sanctity of marriage and condemns sexual immorality, calling believers to flee from such sins and pursue holiness 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. The severity of the Old Testament penalty highlights the gravity with which God views sexual sin, reminding us that it is not trivial in His sight and has profound consequences, both individually and communally. It serves as a timeless reminder of God's demand for purity in all relationships and the call for the church to be a holy people, set apart for God's glory 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Leviticus 20:14, with its severe condemnation of incest and emphasis on purging wickedness, points to the ultimate holiness of God and His demand for purity from His people, a demand that no one could perfectly fulfill under the Old Covenant. The burning with fire, a symbol of divine judgment and purification, foreshadows the ultimate judgment against all sin, which was fully borne by Christ on the cross. Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, became the propitiation for our sins, enduring the fiery wrath of God so that those who believe might be purified and reconciled to a holy God Romans 3:25. Through His perfect sacrifice, Christ not only cleanses us from the defilement of sin, which the law highlighted, but also empowers us by His Spirit to live lives of holiness, fulfilling the spirit of the law's demand for purity. The call to remove "wickedness among you" finds its New Covenant fulfillment in the Church, which is called to be a holy temple for the Lord, reflecting Christ's purity and love in a world still marred by sin Ephesians 5:25-27. In Christ, believers are not merely cleansed from the penalty of sin but are transformed into new creations, enabled to walk in the righteousness that the law demanded but could not provide, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit 2 Corinthians 5:17.