Leviticus 20:14

And if a man take a wife and her mother, it [is] wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

And if a man {H376} take {H3947} a wife {H802} and her mother {H517}, it is wickedness {H2154}: they shall be burnt {H8313} with fire {H784}, both he and they; that there be no wickedness {H2154} among {H8432} you.

If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is depravity; they are to be put to death by fire, both he and they, so that there will not be depravity among you.

If a man marries both a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned in the fire, so that there will be no depravity among you.

And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

Commentary

Leviticus 20:14 addresses a severe form of sexual immorality within the covenant community of Israel, prescribing a capital punishment for the offense. This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus (chapters 18-20) that outlines God's laws concerning sexual purity, family sanctity, and the overall holiness required of His people.

Context

The book of Leviticus establishes the standards of holiness for the nation of Israel, distinguishing them from the surrounding pagan cultures. Chapter 20 specifically details various capital offenses, primarily focusing on sexual sins, idolatry, and other abominable practices. These laws were designed to ensure the moral and spiritual purity of the Israelite community, emphasizing that their conduct should reflect the holiness of God Himself. The strict penalties served not only as deterrents but also as means of purging "wickedness" from the midst of the people, preventing corporate defilement that could lead to divine judgment upon the entire nation. This particular prohibition is an extension of the laws against incest detailed in Leviticus 18:17, which forbids a man from taking a woman and her daughter; here, it specifically addresses a woman and her mother.

Key Themes

  • Prohibition of Incest: The verse explicitly forbids a man from having sexual relations with both a woman and her mother. This constitutes a profound violation of natural family bonds, social order, and divine decree, representing a severe form of incest that defiles the family unit.
  • Severity of Judgment: The prescribed punishment, "they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they," signifies an extreme form of divine judgment. Burning was a method of execution reserved for sins of exceptional heinousness and defilement, aiming to completely eradicate the "wickedness" and its contaminating influence from the community.
  • Community Purity and Holiness: The concluding phrase, "that there be no wickedness among you," highlights the overarching purpose of these laws: to maintain the moral and spiritual purity of the Israelite nation. Unpunished sin was seen as a defiling agent that could corrupt the entire community and jeopardize their covenant relationship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "wickedness" is zimmah (ื–ึดืžึธึผื”). This term often denotes a premeditated, vile, and scandalous act, implying not just a mistake but a deliberate moral perversion that brings shame, disgrace, and defilement. Its usage here underscores the abhorrent nature of the sin in God's eyes. The phrase "burnt with fire" (ื‘ึผึธืึตืฉื ื™ึดืฉื‚ึผึธืจึฐืคื•ึผ) is a literal instruction for execution, signifying a complete and purifying destruction of the offenders as a means of cleansing the land from such defilement.

Practical 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 and the sanctity of family remain timeless. This verse powerfully conveys:

  • God's Standard for Purity: It reinforces God's unchanging demand for sexual purity and moral integrity among His people. Sin, especially sexual sin, is not trivial in God's sight. Believers are called to flee sexual immorality and pursue holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
  • The Seriousness of Sin: The severity of the ancient penalty underscores the gravity with which God views sin, particularly those acts that violate fundamental social and familial structures. Sin has profound consequences, not only for the individual but also for the community.
  • Impact on Community: The emphasis on removing "wickedness among you" reminds us that individual moral choices impact the broader community. The Church, as God's people today, is called to live in a way that reflects Christ's holiness, being distinct from worldly practices and upholding God's design for relationships and family.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 18:17

    Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; [for] they [are] her near kinswomen: it [is] wickedness.

  • Deuteronomy 27:23

    Cursed [be] he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Amos 2:7

    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:

  • Joshua 7:15

    And it shall be, [that] he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.

  • Leviticus 21:9

    And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.

  • Joshua 7:25

    And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
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