Leviticus 20:21

KJV

And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it [is] an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a man {H376} shall take {H3947} his brother's {H251} wife {H802}, it is an unclean thing {H5079}: he hath uncovered {H1540} his brother's {H251} nakedness {H6172}; they shall be childless {H6185}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If a man takes his brother's wife, it is uncleanness; he has disgraced his brother sexually; they will be childless.

Berean Standard Bible

If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity. He has uncovered the nakedness of his brother; they shall be childless.

American Standard Version

And if a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:21 presents a stringent prohibition against a man marrying or having sexual relations with his brother's wife, labeling such an act as an "unclean thing" that profoundly violates familial and marital sanctity. This specific injunction, embedded within God's broader moral statutes for Israel, explicitly states that this forbidden union, euphemistically described as "uncovering his brother's nakedness," will result in the couple being "childless," signifying divine judgment and the nullification of their lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 20 functions as a crucial enforcement chapter for the moral and ritual purity laws detailed in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations") and [Leviticus 19](/leviticus/19 "Leviticus 19 - Various Laws and Ordinances"). While [Leviticus 18:16](/leviticus/18-16 "Leviticus 18:16 - Prohibition Against Uncovering Brother's Wife's Nakedness") provides the initial prohibition against uncovering the nakedness of a brother's wife, chapter 20 specifies the severe penalties—often capital punishment—for violating these and other laws. Verse 21, therefore, reiterates this specific sexual transgression, highlighting its gravity by attaching a unique consequence: childlessness. This particular prohibition is distinct from the levirate marriage law found in [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Levirate Marriage"), which *requires* a brother to marry his deceased, childless brother's widow to raise an heir, thereby preserving the family name and inheritance. Leviticus 20:21, in contrast, addresses the illicit taking of a brother's wife in circumstances not covered by the levirate law, typically implying the brother is still alive, or that the union is not for the purpose of preserving a deceased brother's childless lineage. The surrounding verses in [Leviticus 20](/leviticus/20 "Leviticus 20 - Penalties for Unlawful Sexual Relations") list other capital offenses, underscoring the high stakes of maintaining purity within the covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was called to be a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding Canaanite and Egyptian cultures, which often practiced various forms of sexual immorality, including incestuous relationships and cultic prostitution. The laws in Leviticus, particularly those concerning sexual ethics, functioned to establish and maintain the moral and social order of the nascent Israelite society, reflecting God's character and His desire for a pure people. The concept of "nakedness" (עֶרְוָה, _‘ervah_) in biblical law often refers to the private parts, and "uncovering nakedness" is a common euphemism for sexual intercourse, particularly illicit or shameful acts. The consequence of "childlessness" was a severe social and theological punishment in a patriarchal society where progeny was paramount for inheritance, continuation of the family line, and social standing. To be childless was not only a personal tragedy but also a sign of divine displeasure, potentially cutting off the family's future and its place within the tribal structure, as seen in other curses for disobedience in [Deuteronomy 28:18](/deuteronomy/28-18 "Deuteronomy 28:18 - Curses for Disobedience"). This penalty served as a powerful deterrent, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and the family unit as foundational to the covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it strongly emphasizes **holiness and purity**, asserting that God's people must live distinctively, reflecting His character in their moral and sexual conduct. The designation of the act as "unclean" underscores the defiling nature of sexual sin. Secondly, it reinforces the **sanctity of marriage and the family unit** as divinely ordained institutions, essential for the social and spiritual well-being of the community. The prohibition protects the integrity of marital bonds and the established familial order. Thirdly, the verse highlights the theme of **divine judgment and consequences for disobedience**. The penalty of childlessness illustrates that violating God's commands carries tangible repercussions, demonstrating God's active involvement in upholding His moral standards and ensuring that sinful unions do not bear legitimate fruit within the covenant community. This reinforces the principle that God is just and will not allow His laws to be flouted without consequence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Unclean thing (Hebrew, _niddâh'_):** The Hebrew word נִדָּה (H5079, _niddâh_) primarily refers to menstrual impurity, but its usage here extends to denote something morally repulsive, abominable, or defiling. It signifies an act that is inherently impure in God's sight, rendering the participants and their union ritually and morally defiled. The term highlights the deep revulsion God has for this specific transgression, categorizing it not just as a sin, but as an act that pollutes the very fabric of the community and the individuals involved.
* **Uncovered (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** The Hebrew word גָּלָה (H1540, _gâlâh_), meaning "to denude" or "to reveal," is used here in the context of "uncovering nakedness" as a euphemism for engaging in sexual intercourse, specifically illicit or forbidden sexual relations. This term emphasizes the act of exposure and the profound violation of intimate boundaries, trust, and honor within the family. It implies a shameful revelation and a deep breach of the brother's marital sanctity and personal dignity.
* **Childless (Hebrew, _ʻărîyrîy'_):** The Hebrew term עֲרִירִי (H6185, _ʻărîyrîy_) denotes being bare or destitute of children, specifically without male heirs to continue the family line. This was a grave consequence in ancient Israel, as progeny was seen as a blessing from God and essential for inheritance, social standing, and the perpetuation of the family name. The childlessness decreed here is not necessarily a physical inability to conceive but a divine judgment, a curse upon the illicit union, ensuring that it would not produce legitimate offspring or contribute to the continuation of the family line. It signifies God's nullification of the union's fruitfulness, demonstrating His active disapproval of the sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a man shall take his brother's wife":** This clause sets the condition for the prohibition, identifying the specific illicit act. It refers to a man entering into a marital or sexual relationship with his brother's wife, implying that the brother is either still alive or that the union is not for the purpose of levirate marriage to raise up an heir for a deceased, childless brother. The emphasis is on the direct violation of an existing or recently dissolved marital bond within the immediate family.
* **"it [is] an unclean thing":** This declaration immediately pronounces God's judgment on the act. The phrase "unclean thing" (נִדָּה, _niddâh_) signifies that the act is morally repugnant and defiling in the eyes of God, rendering the participants and the union impure and unacceptable within the holy community. It is an abomination that pollutes the land and the people, requiring divine intervention to cleanse.
* **"he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness;":** This is a powerful euphemism clarifying the nature of the "unclean thing." It means the man has engaged in sexual intercourse with his brother's wife, thereby violating the most intimate and sacred bond of his brother's marriage. This phrase underscores the profound betrayal and dishonor inflicted upon the brother and his household, highlighting the destructive impact of the sin on familial relationships and the sanctity of the marital covenant.
* **"they shall be childless.":** This clause states the direct and severe consequence of the transgression. The couple involved in this illicit union will not have children, or at least no legitimate or surviving children who can carry on the family name. This divine judgment ensures that the sinful union will not produce fruit, thereby preventing the continuation of a defiled lineage and serving as a stark warning against such violations of God's marital laws. It is a powerful symbol of the barrenness that results from disobedience to God's life-giving commands.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:21 employs several significant literary devices to convey its message with clarity and force. The primary structure is that of a **Casuistic Law**, presented in an "if...then" format ("And if a man shall take... they shall be childless"). This legal formulation clearly defines the offense and its stipulated consequence, leaving no ambiguity. The phrase "he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness" is a prominent **Euphemism** for sexual intercourse, particularly illicit relations. This indirect language, common in biblical texts dealing with sensitive topics, maintains a degree of decorum while clearly communicating the nature of the transgression. The declaration "it [is] an unclean thing" serves as a **Divine Pronouncement** of moral judgment, classifying the act as an abomination in God's sight. Finally, the consequence of "childlessness" functions as a **Curse** or **Divine Judgment**, directly linking the sin to its punitive outcome. This outcome also carries **Symbolism**, as childlessness in ancient Israel represented not only the termination of a lineage but also a profound sign of divine displeasure and the spiritual barrenness of a union outside God's design.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:21 powerfully underscores several core theological principles foundational to the Israelite covenant and, by extension, to biblical ethics. Firstly, it reiterates God's unwavering demand for **holiness and purity** within His people, emphasizing that moral and sexual integrity are non-negotiable aspects of living in covenant relationship with Him. The designation of the act as an "unclean thing" (נִדָּה, _niddâh_) highlights its defiling nature, which pollutes both the individuals and the community. Secondly, the verse champions the **sanctity of marriage and the family unit** as divinely ordained institutions. By prohibiting such an intimate violation, God protects the integrity of marital bonds and the established familial order, which are foundational to a stable and righteous society. This reflects God's design for marriage as a sacred, exclusive covenant between one man and one woman, as established in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union"). Finally, the consequence of childlessness serves as a stark reminder of the **gravity of sin and its consequences**. It illustrates that disobedience to God's commands carries tangible repercussions, often impacting the very areas of life that are violated, and demonstrating God's active involvement in upholding His moral standards.

* [Leviticus 18:6](/leviticus/18-6 "Leviticus 18:6 - General Prohibition Against Incest")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage is Honorable")
* [1 Corinthians 6:18](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Sexual Immorality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of Leviticus 20:21 pertains to ancient Israelite law and its unique social structures, the underlying principles of sexual purity, the sanctity of marriage, and respect for familial boundaries remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to recognize God's unchanging standard for sexual ethics, emphasizing that marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God, not merely a human institution to be redefined or disregarded. It challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards purity, fidelity, and the integrity of relationships, both within our immediate families and in the broader community. The severe consequence of childlessness in the ancient context serves as a powerful reminder that sin, particularly sexual sin, carries destructive repercussions, often impacting future generations and the very fruitfulness of our lives. We are called to honor God in our bodies and our relationships, seeking to live lives that reflect His holiness and uphold the divine order for human intimacy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "unclean thing" in Leviticus 20:21 challenge our modern understanding of sexual ethics and purity?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, uphold the sanctity of marriage and family relationships in a culture that often disregards biblical standards?**
* **What are the "childlessness"—or barrenness—that can result from disobedience to God's commands in our lives today, even if not literal physical childlessness?**
* **How does the distinction between this prohibition and Levirate marriage inform our understanding of God's nuanced and purposeful law?**

### FAQ

**Does Leviticus 20:21 contradict the law of Levirate marriage found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10?**

Answer: No, there is no contradiction; rather, they address different circumstances. Leviticus 20:21 prohibits a man from taking his brother's wife, particularly when the brother is still alive or if the deceased brother had children, making the union an act of incest and a violation of marital sanctity. It is declared an "unclean thing" that defiles. In contrast, the Levirate marriage law in [Deuteronomy 25:5-10](/deuteronomy/25-5-10 "Deuteronomy 25:5-10 - Levirate Marriage") is a specific, divinely ordained exception. It *commands* a brother to marry his deceased brother's widow *if* the deceased brother died childless, with the explicit purpose of raising up an heir to continue the deceased brother's name and inheritance. This was a duty, not a prohibited act, and served to preserve the family line. The key distinction lies in the purpose and the circumstances: one is an illicit act of defilement, the other a commanded act of familial preservation.

**Why was "childlessness" the specific punishment for this offense?**

Answer: Childlessness was a particularly severe and fitting punishment in ancient Israelite society for several reasons. Firstly, progeny was considered a great blessing from God and essential for the continuation of the family line, inheritance, and social standing. To be childless was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or a curse, as illustrated in [Deuteronomy 28:18](/deuteronomy/28-18 "Deuteronomy 28:18 - Curses for Disobedience"). Secondly, by making the illicit union childless, God ensured that no legitimate heir would come from a defiled relationship, thus preventing the perpetuation of a lineage founded on sin. It symbolically cut off the future of a union that violated God's sacred design for marriage and family, demonstrating God's active judgment against the sin and His desire to maintain purity within the covenant community.

**Does this verse apply to Christians today?**

Answer: While the specific legal context of Leviticus 20:21 is part of the Old Covenant law given to Israel, the underlying moral principles regarding sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage are timeless and transcend cultural boundaries, applying to Christians today. The New Testament consistently upholds the sanctity of marriage and condemns sexual immorality, including incestuous relationships (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - Immorality in the Church")). While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law for salvation, the moral laws reflect God's unchanging character and His design for human relationships. Therefore, the principle that certain sexual unions are "unclean" and against God's design remains valid, calling believers to a high standard of sexual purity and respect for marital covenants.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 20:21, with its severe prohibition and consequence, points us to Christ in several profound ways. The "unclean thing" and the defilement it represents highlight the pervasive nature of sin and humanity's inherent inability to achieve true purity apart from divine intervention. The law, in its strictness, reveals the depth of God's holiness and His abhorrence of anything that defiles His creation, particularly the sacred institution of marriage. This legal consequence of childlessness, symbolizing a barren and cursed union, foreshadows the ultimate spiritual barrenness of a life lived outside of God's will, alienated from His life-giving presence. However, in Christ, we find the perfect fulfillment of the law's demands and the remedy for its curses. Jesus, the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the curse of the law on our behalf, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law"); [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), upholding its moral standards while providing the means for true purity through His atoning sacrifice. For believers, the call to holiness is now empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling us to live in a manner pleasing to God, honoring the sanctity of marriage as a reflection of Christ's relationship with His Church ([Ephesians 5:25-32](/ephesians/5-25-32 "Ephesians 5:25-32 - Christ and the Church as Bridegroom and Bride")). Instead of physical childlessness as a curse, believers are called to spiritual fruitfulness, bearing the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit"), demonstrating the new life found in Him. Thus, this Old Testament law, while revealing sin's gravity, ultimately points us to the grace and transforming power of Christ, who makes us truly clean and spiritually fruitful.

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.

Cross-References

Leviticus 18:16

Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it [is] thy brother's nakedness.

Matthew 14:3

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put [him] in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

Matthew 14:4

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.